# Docker Engine vs Nomad

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

| | Docker Engine | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 80/100 ✓ | 76/100 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 11 in Container Orchestration | #2 of 11 in Container Orchestration |
| GitHub stars | 72 217 ✓ | 17 040 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +85 ✓ | +71 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 17 ✓ | 16 |
| Latest release | docker-v29.9.2 · 20 Oct 2026 ✓ | v2.0.7 · 18 Sept 2026 |
| Setup | Advanced | Moderate ✓ |
| Official Docker image | No | No |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Other |
| Main language | Go | Go |

## Which one should you pick?

Docker Engine scores 80/100 against 76/100 for Nomad, so it is the safer default.

Docker Engine ships more often: 17 stable releases in the past year, against 16 for Nomad.

If you want the quickest setup, Nomad is easier to run; Docker Engine needs more configuration.

## Details

- [Docker Engine](https://selfhost.directory/project/docker-engine) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/docker-engine.md)
- [Nomad](https://selfhost.directory/project/nomad) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/nomad.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/docker-engine-vs-nomad