# Diun vs Dockge: Different Docker Tools Compared

## Quick Verdict

These tools complement each other rather than compete. Dockge is a Docker Compose management UI for deploying, editing, and managing stacks. Diun is an image update notifier that watches Docker registries and alerts you when new versions are available. Use Dockge to manage your stacks; use Diun to know when to update them.

## Overview

**Dockge** is a web-based Docker Compose manager built by the Uptime Kuma developer. It provides a GUI for creating, editing, starting, and stopping Docker Compose stacks. Current version: 1.5.0 (note: last release March 2025).

**Diun** is a background service that monitors Docker registries for newer image versions and sends notifications. It does not manage containers or apply updates. Current version: 4.31.0.

## Feature Comparison

| Feature | Dockge v1.5 | Diun 4.31 |
|---------|------------|----------|
| Purpose | Compose stack management | Update notifications |
| Interface | Web UI | Background daemon |
| Docker Compose editor | Yes (YAML editor) | No |
| Stack start/stop/restart | Yes | No |
| Container logs | Yes | No |
| Registry monitoring | No | Yes |
| Update notifications | No | Yes (20+ providers) |
| Image version tracking | No | Yes |
| Docker socket required | Yes | Yes (read-only) |
| Multi-user support | No | N/A |
| RAM usage | ~50-80 MB | ~15-20 MB |

## Use Cases

### Use Dockge For...

- Creating and editing Docker Compose stacks through a web UI
- Starting, stopping, and restarting your self-hosted services
- Viewing container logs and status
- Managing Docker Compose files without SSH

### Use Diun For...

- Getting notified when container images have new versions
- Tracking which containers are behind their latest release
- Deciding when to update (without automated application)
- Receiving alerts in Discord, Slack, email, or Gotify

### Use Both For...

- A complete management workflow: Diun notifies you about available updates → you open Dockge to edit the image version in the compose file → Dockge pulls the new image and recreates the container.

## Final Verdict

**Use both together.** Dockge manages your stacks; Diun tells you when it's time to update them. Together they provide a simple, manual-but-informed update workflow that's safer than automatic updates while being less tedious than checking Docker Hub manually. (Watchtower, which offered automatic updates, is now deprecated.)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can Dockge check for image updates?

No. Dockge manages stacks but doesn't monitor registries. You'd need to manually check Docker Hub or use Diun for automated monitoring.

### Can Diun update containers managed by Dockge?

No. Diun is notify-only. After receiving a notification, you update the image tag in Dockge's compose editor and redeploy the stack.

### Why not just use Watchtower instead of Diun + Dockge?

Watchtower (deprecated) automatically applied updates, which could break services if a new version introduced breaking changes. Diun + Dockge gives you awareness (Diun) plus control (Dockge) — you choose when and how to update.

## Related

- [How to Self-Host Dockge with Docker](/apps/dockge/)
- [How to Self-Host Diun with Docker](/apps/diun/)
- [Watchtower vs Diun](/compare/watchtower-vs-diun/)
- [Portainer vs Dockge](/compare/portainer-vs-dockge/)
- [Best Docker Management Tools](/best/docker-management/)
- [Updating Docker Containers Safely](/foundations/docker-updating/)