Best VPS for Docker in 2026

Running Docker containers requires specific VPS characteristics: adequate RAM, fast storage, and good CPU performance. After testing container workloads across major providers, here are the best options for Docker hosting.

Why VPS Specs Matter for Docker

Docker containers share the host kernel but need dedicated resources:

• RAM: Each container needs memory. Plan for 256MB-1GB per lightweight container
• CPU: Containers share CPU time. More vCPUs = better multi-container performance
• Storage: Use NVMe SSD for fast image pulls and container I/O
• Network: Good bandwidth for pulling images and inter-container communication

Top VPS for Docker

1. Hostinger VPS (Best Value for Docker)

$4.99/mo | 1 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe

4GB RAM for under $5? Perfect for running 5-10 lightweight containers. The NVMe storage handles Docker's I/O patterns well.

Docker Setup:

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

2. Hetzner Cloud (Best Overall)

€3.79/mo | 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 40GB NVMe

2 vCPUs gives better multi-container performance. German data centers have excellent connectivity.

3. DigitalOcean (Best Docker Experience)

$6/mo | 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 25GB SSD

One-click Docker droplet, built-in container registry, and managed Kubernetes if you outgrow single-server Docker.

Docker Compose Example

Here's a typical setup you can run on a 4GB VPS:

version: '3.8'
services:
  traefik:
    image: traefik:v2.10
    ports:
      - 80:80
      - 443:443
    # ~100MB RAM
    
  app:
    image: your-app:latest
    # ~256MB RAM
    
  postgres:
    image: postgres:15
    # ~256MB RAM
    
  redis:
    image: redis:alpine
    # ~50MB RAM

Total: ~700MB RAM, leaving headroom on a 4GB VPS.

Recommended Specs by Use Case

Use Case	Min RAM	Recommended VPS
Dev/Testing	2GB	Hostinger KVM1 ($4.99)
Small Production	4GB	Hetzner CX21 (€5.83)
Multiple Apps	8GB	Hostinger KVM4 ($12.99)
High Traffic	16GB+	Hetzner CX41 (€14.76)

Performance Tips

1. Use Alpine-based images: 5-10x smaller than Ubuntu-based

2. Enable swap: Safety net for memory spikes

fallocate -l 2G /swapfile
chmod 600 /swapfile
mkswap /swapfile
swapon /swapfile

3. Use Docker volumes: Better performance than bind mounts

4. Set memory limits: Prevent runaway containers

deploy:
  resources:
    limits:
      memory: 512M

FAQ

How much RAM do I need for Docker?

Minimum 2GB for basic usage. 4GB is comfortable for 5-10 containers. 8GB+ for production workloads with databases.

Can I run Docker on 1GB RAM VPS?

Technically yes, but you'll be limited to 2-3 very lightweight containers. We recommend 2GB minimum.

Is Docker Swarm or Kubernetes better?

For single-server setups, Docker Compose is simplest. Swarm for small clusters. Kubernetes for large-scale orchestration.