Pros of nginx-proxy

• More established project with a larger community and longer history
• Offers more advanced features and customization options
• Supports a wider range of use cases and scenarios

Cons of nginx-proxy

• Steeper learning curve and more complex setup process
• Requires more manual configuration and management
• May be overkill for simpler deployments or smaller projects

Code Comparison

nginx-proxy:

version: '2'
services:
  nginx-proxy:
    image: jwilder/nginx-proxy
    ports:
      - "80:80"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/tmp/docker.sock:ro

nginx-proxy-automation:

version: '3'
services:
  nginx-proxy:
    image: jwilder/nginx-proxy
    container_name: nginx-proxy
    ports:
      - "80:80"
      - "443:443"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/tmp/docker.sock:ro
      - ./certs:/etc/nginx/certs:ro
      - ./vhost.d:/etc/nginx/vhost.d
      - ./html:/usr/share/nginx/html

The nginx-proxy-automation project simplifies the setup process and includes additional configurations for SSL certificates and custom vhosts out of the box. It's more suitable for users who want a quick and easy setup with basic functionality. On the other hand, nginx-proxy offers more flexibility and control, making it a better choice for advanced users or complex deployments requiring fine-tuned configurations.

Pros of nginx-proxy-manager

• User-friendly web interface for managing proxy hosts and SSL certificates
• Built-in Let's Encrypt integration for easy SSL certificate management
• Support for multiple users with different access levels

Cons of nginx-proxy-manager

• Requires more system resources due to the web interface and database
• Less lightweight compared to nginx-proxy-automation
• May have a steeper learning curve for users new to proxy management

Code Comparison

nginx-proxy-manager (docker-compose.yml):

version: '3'
services:
  app:
    image: 'jc21/nginx-proxy-manager:latest'
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - '80:80'
      - '81:81'
      - '443:443'
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
      - ./letsencrypt:/etc/letsencrypt

nginx-proxy-automation (docker-compose.yml):

version: '3'
services:
  nginx-proxy:
    image: jwilder/nginx-proxy
    container_name: nginx-proxy
    ports:
      - "80:80"
      - "443:443"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/tmp/docker.sock:ro
      - certs:/etc/nginx/certs:ro
      - vhost:/etc/nginx/vhost.d
      - html:/usr/share/nginx/html

Both projects aim to simplify Nginx reverse proxy setup, but nginx-proxy-manager offers a more user-friendly approach with its web interface and built-in SSL management. nginx-proxy-automation, on the other hand, provides a more lightweight solution that may be preferred by users comfortable with command-line operations and manual configuration.

Pros of docker-gen

• More flexible and customizable, allowing for advanced configurations
• Supports a wider range of use cases beyond just Nginx reverse proxying
• Has a larger community and more extensive documentation

Cons of docker-gen

• Requires more manual setup and configuration
• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• May require additional components for full functionality (e.g., nginx-proxy)

Code Comparison

nginx-proxy-automation:

version: '3'
services:
  nginx-proxy:
    image: jwilder/nginx-proxy
    container_name: nginx-proxy
    ports:
      - "80:80"
      - "443:443"

docker-gen:

version: '3'
services:
  nginx:
    image: nginx:alpine
    volumes:
      - ./nginx.tmpl:/etc/docker-gen/templates/nginx.tmpl:ro
  docker-gen:
    image: jwilder/docker-gen
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/tmp/docker.sock:ro
      - ./nginx.tmpl:/etc/docker-gen/templates/nginx.tmpl:ro

The nginx-proxy-automation project provides a more streamlined setup with fewer configuration steps, making it easier for beginners to get started. However, docker-gen offers greater flexibility and customization options, allowing users to define their own templates and adapt the setup to various scenarios beyond just Nginx reverse proxying.

While nginx-proxy-automation is focused on providing a quick and easy solution for Nginx reverse proxying, docker-gen can be used in conjunction with other services and templates to create more complex and tailored configurations.

Pros of docker-socket-proxy

• Focused on security: Provides a secure way to expose Docker socket to other containers
• Lightweight: Minimal overhead, as it only proxies specific Docker API endpoints
• Flexible: Allows fine-grained control over which Docker API endpoints are exposed

Cons of docker-socket-proxy

• Limited scope: Only handles Docker socket proxying, not full reverse proxy functionality
• Manual configuration: Requires more setup for complex scenarios compared to nginx-proxy-automation
• No built-in SSL support: Additional configuration needed for HTTPS

Code comparison

docker-socket-proxy:

version: '3'
services:
  dockerproxy:
    image: tecnativa/docker-socket-proxy
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock:ro
    environment:
      - CONTAINERS=1

nginx-proxy-automation:

version: '3'
services:
  nginx-proxy:
    image: jwilder/nginx-proxy
    ports:
      - "80:80"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/tmp/docker.sock:ro
      - ./certs:/etc/nginx/certs:ro

While docker-socket-proxy focuses on secure Docker socket access, nginx-proxy-automation provides a more comprehensive solution for reverse proxying and automatic SSL configuration. The choice between the two depends on specific project requirements and security considerations.