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Posted on Feb 25 • Originally published at selfhosting.sh

Cosmos Cloud vs Yacht: Which Docker Manager?

#selfhosted #linux #homelab

Quick Verdict

Cosmos Cloud is the clear winner. Yacht is effectively abandoned — its last release (v0.0.7-alpha) was in January 2023, and it never reached a stable 1.0. Cosmos Cloud is actively developed (v0.20.2, Feb 2026), includes a built-in reverse proxy, app marketplace, and security features that Yacht never had.

Overview

Cosmos Cloud is a self-hosted platform that combines Docker container management with a built-in reverse proxy, app marketplace, and security layer. It aims to be a one-stop management interface for your entire self-hosted stack. Current version: v0.20.2.

Yacht was a Docker management web UI inspired by Portainer but with a simpler interface and template-based app deployment. It was intended to be a lightweight alternative for homelab users. Last version: v0.0.7-alpha (January 2023). The project appears abandoned.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Cosmos Cloud v0.20	Yacht v0.0.7-alpha
Active development	Yes (Feb 2026)	No (last release Jan 2023)
Stability	Stable releases	Alpha only (never reached 1.0)
Built-in reverse proxy	Yes (with SSL)	No
App marketplace	Yes (curated)	Yes (templates)
Container management	Yes	Yes
Docker Compose support	Yes	Limited
Multi-user auth	Yes (with 2FA)	Basic
VPN integration	Yes (Constellation VPN)	No
Smart Shield (DDoS protection)	Yes	No
Automatic HTTPS	Yes	No
Container monitoring	Yes	Basic
Auto-updates	Yes	No
Identity provider	Built-in (OpenID)	No

Installation Complexity

Cosmos Cloud

services:
  cosmos:
    image: azukaar/cosmos-server:v0.20.2
    ports:
      - "80:80"
      - "443:443"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
      - cosmos-config:/config
    restart: unless-stopped
    hostname: cosmos-server

volumes:
  cosmos-config:

First-time setup walks you through domain configuration, admin account creation, and SSL setup.

Yacht

services:
  yacht:
    image: selfhostedpro/yacht:v0.0.7-alpha
    ports:
      - "8000:8000"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
      - yacht-data:/config
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  yacht-data:

Default credentials: admin@yacht.local / pass. Basic container management available after login.

Both are straightforward to deploy, but Cosmos Cloud provides a more guided first-run experience.

Performance and Resource Usage

Metric	Cosmos Cloud	Yacht
Idle RAM	~150-200 MB	~60-80 MB
CPU (idle)	Low	Very low
Disk usage	~300 MB	~150 MB

Cosmos Cloud uses more resources because it bundles a reverse proxy, identity provider, and security layer. Yacht is lighter but offers far less functionality.

Community and Support

Cosmos Cloud has an active GitHub repository with regular releases, a Discord community, and documentation. Yacht's GitHub has open issues with no responses, no recent commits, and no community activity. Using Yacht means using unsupported software with known bugs that will never be fixed.

Use Cases

Choose Cosmos Cloud If...

You want a modern, actively maintained Docker management tool
You want a built-in reverse proxy (replacing NPM or Traefik for simple setups)
You want an app marketplace for one-click deployments
You want integrated authentication and security features
You're looking for an all-in-one self-hosting platform

Choose Yacht If...

You shouldn't. The project is abandoned.
If you need a lightweight Docker GUI, use Dockge or Portainer instead.

Final Verdict

Use Cosmos Cloud. There is no scenario where choosing Yacht makes sense in 2026. Yacht never made it past alpha, hasn't been updated in over three years, and has known bugs that will never be patched.

If Cosmos Cloud is too heavy for your needs, Dockge offers lightweight Docker Compose management with an active developer (the Uptime Kuma creator), and Portainer offers the most feature-complete Docker management experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yacht completely dead?

As of February 2026, yes. The last Docker Hub push was January 2023, there are no GitHub releases beyond v0.0.7-alpha, and the maintainer appears to have moved on. Do not start new deployments with Yacht.

Can Cosmos Cloud replace both Portainer and NPM?

For basic setups, yes. Cosmos Cloud manages containers and includes a reverse proxy with automatic SSL. For advanced Docker management (Swarm, Kubernetes), Portainer is more capable. For advanced proxy configuration, dedicated tools like Traefik or NPM offer more flexibility.

Is Cosmos Cloud production-ready?

It's stable for self-hosting use. The project has regular releases and an active community. For enterprise or mission-critical use, Portainer Business Edition is a more established option.

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