Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Kitematic

Arcane is a modern Docker management application with a web UI designed to make running containers and Docker Compose stacks easier to understand and operate. It targets homelabs and teams that want a simpler alternative to CLI-only workflows while still supporting common container operations.

Key Features

• Web-based UI for managing Docker resources (containers, images, networks, and volumes)
• Docker Compose stack deployment and management
• Remote management via an agent/headless component for connecting to Docker hosts
• Designed for usability with a modern frontend and straightforward navigation
• Transparency-oriented project practices such as publishing an SBOM

Use Cases

• Managing containers and Compose stacks on a homelab server without living in the CLI
• Operating multiple Docker hosts with a consistent interface via an agent
• Day-to-day container administration for small teams needing a lightweight UI

Limitations and Considerations

• Primarily focused on Docker/Compose workflows; it is not a Kubernetes orchestration platform

Arcane is a solid choice if you want a clean, modern UI for Docker operations and Compose-based deployments. It combines an accessible interface with practical features for managing real-world container setups.

Dockpeek is a lightweight, self-hosted web dashboard for managing Docker containers with fast access to each container’s web interface. It focuses on presenting ports, URLs, logs, and update status in a clean UI, including support for managing multiple Docker hosts.

Key Features

• One-click access to container web interfaces and published ports
• Live container log streaming
• Traefik label detection to extract service URLs automatically
• Multi-host management by connecting to multiple Docker daemons (local socket or TCP)
• Image update checks and the ability to update outdated containers
• Container labels for customization (tags, links, extra ports, HTTPS hints, port range grouping)

Use Cases

• Homelab dashboard to quickly open and organize containerized services
• Centralized overview for multiple Docker hosts (home server, VPS, remote nodes)
• Quick auditing of running containers, exposed ports, and available image updates

Dockpeek is best suited for users who want a simple Docker-focused UI that prioritizes quick navigation to web apps, visibility into logs and ports, and straightforward update awareness across one or more hosts.

Oxker is a terminal user interface (TUI) for viewing, monitoring, and controlling Docker containers from a single interactive screen. It connects to the Docker API (typically via the Docker socket) and focuses on fast navigation, log visibility, and container actions without leaving the terminal.

Key Features

• List and inspect Docker containers with sortable columns
• View container logs with options for raw output, ANSI coloring, and timestamp handling
• Filter containers and search within logs interactively
• Execute common container actions (for example start/stop and related commands)
• Exec into a selected container (platform-dependent)
• Export and save logs to a chosen directory
• Configurable keybindings, color theme, and persistent settings via config files
• Multiple distribution options including Cargo, prebuilt binaries, and container images

Use Cases

• Day-to-day container monitoring and log triage directly from a shell
• Lightweight Docker management on servers and homelabs without a full web UI
• Quick container log searching and exporting during incident investigation

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires access to the Docker daemon (for example via the Docker socket), which is a high-privilege capability
• Some functionality (such as exec) may not be available on all platforms

Oxker is a focused, fast TUI alternative to heavier Docker dashboards, aimed at operators and developers who want container visibility and control in a keyboard-driven terminal workflow.

Compose Craft is an open-source web application for managing Docker Compose configurations through an intuitive graphical interface. It helps teams and individuals quickly understand and build multi-service stacks by turning compose files into interactive diagrams.

Key Features

• Visual editor for creating and editing Docker Compose services and settings
• Automatic diagram visualization of services and their relationships
• Import existing docker-compose.yml files and export generated configurations
• Management of environment variables, volumes, networks, ports, and other compose options
• One-click link sharing for compose diagrams (optional SaaS-oriented feature)
• Optional GitHub integration for working with repositories
• Built-in code editing experience for compose/YAML

Use Cases

• Designing and documenting multi-container application stacks before deployment
• Reviewing and understanding unfamiliar Docker Compose projects faster
• Collaborating on compose changes by sharing diagrams and exported files

Limitations and Considerations

• Some sharing and integration features may depend on configuration choices and can be disabled for a simpler “core-only” deployment
• Requires a MongoDB database for persistence in typical deployments

Compose Craft is well-suited for developers who prefer a visual workflow for Docker Compose while still retaining the ability to import and export standard compose files. It bridges GUI-based modeling and practical configuration management for real-world container stacks.

Dockman is a self-hosted Docker management tool aimed at homelabs and small servers, focused on managing Docker Compose stacks without abstracting away your configuration files. It prioritizes direct, “unfiltered” access to your Compose YAML while providing a web UI to operate your stacks.

Key Features

• Manage Docker Compose stacks using a configurable root directory for compose files
• Web UI for operating stacks while keeping Compose files as the source of truth
• Runs as a container and connects to the Docker engine via the Docker socket
• Persistent configuration support via a mounted config directory

Use Cases

• Managing multiple homelab Compose stacks from a single lightweight web interface
• Operating and organizing Compose-based services while continuing to edit YAML directly
• Providing a simple Compose-focused alternative to heavier container management platforms

Dockman is a practical option if you primarily use Docker Compose and want a UI that complements, rather than replaces, manual file-based workflows. It fits well in homelab environments where transparency and direct control over Compose files are important.

Yacht is a container management UI designed to simplify self-hosting by providing templating and one-click deployments. It focuses on deploying and managing Docker containers through reusable templates and a user-friendly web interface.

Key Features

• Basic container management with a template-driven approach
• Template framework with Portainer-compatible templating support
• Authentication and role-based access control
• API with documentation for programmatic control
• Easy template updating and centralized configuration
• Frontend UI built with Vue and a backend API for robust operations

Use Cases

• Quickly deploy multi-container stacks on a single host or across servers using reusable templates
• Onboard new apps and services with minimal configuration via templated deployments
• Manage and monitor containers through a unified web UI with an exposed API

Limitations and Considerations

• In an alpha/experimental phase; stability and feature completeness may vary
• Documentation and ecosystem tooling are evolving; some workflows may require manual setup
• ARM/macOS compatibility notes and performance considerations exist in community guides
• Some features (eg. multi-server support) are planned for future releases

Conclusion: Yacht provides a templated, self-hosted container management experience with a focus on ease of deployment and template-driven workflows. It is best suited for users who want to standardize container deployments in a DIY environment.