# Docker Distribution Registry vs Zot Registry

> Two self-hosted [Container Registry projects](https://selfhost.directory/container-registry), compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | Docker Distribution Registry | Zot Registry |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 61/100 | 64/100 ✓ |
| Rank in category | #6 of 12 in Container Registry | #3 of 12 in Container Registry |
| GitHub stars | 358 | 2 919 ✓ |
| Stars, last 30 days | — | +120 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 0 | 12 ✓ |
| Latest release | — | v2.1.22 · 6 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | Moderate ✓ | Moderate |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Main language | Dockerfile | Go |

## Which one should you pick?

Zot Registry scores 64/100 against 61/100 for Docker Distribution Registry, so it is the safer default.

Zot Registry ships more often: 12 stable releases in the past year, against 0 for Docker Distribution Registry.

Zot Registry is growing faster right now (+120 stars in 30 days).

## Details

- [Docker Distribution Registry](https://selfhost.directory/project/docker-distribution-registry) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/docker-distribution-registry.md)
- [Zot Registry](https://selfhost.directory/project/zot-registry) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/zot-registry.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/docker-distribution-registry-vs-zot-registry