DigitalOcean vs Kamal for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

DigitalOcean Overview

DigitalOcean is a cloud platform that offers VPS instances (Droplets), managed databases, App Platform (PaaS), Kubernetes, and object storage. The interface is clean, pricing is predictable, and the documentation library is one of the best in the industry.

Solo developers gravitate toward DigitalOcean because it balances power with simplicity. You can start with a $4/month Droplet and SSH into it like any Linux server. Or use App Platform to deploy from GitHub without touching a server. Managed PostgreSQL handles database operations so you don't have to configure backups yourself.

Kamal Overview

Kamal is an open-source deployment tool built by the team behind Basecamp and HEY (37signals). It deploys Docker containers to any server via SSH with zero-downtime rollouts. There's no platform to sign up for. Kamal is a Ruby gem you install locally that manages the deployment pipeline.

You define your deployment configuration in a deploy.yml file: which server to deploy to, which Docker image to build, which environment variables to set, and which accessories (databases, Redis) to run alongside your app. Running kamal deploy builds your Docker image, pushes it to a registry, pulls it on your server, and swaps traffic using Traefik. All with zero downtime.

Kamal works with any server. DigitalOcean, Hetzner, AWS, bare metal. It doesn't care where the server lives as long as it can SSH into it and run Docker.

Key Differences

They complement each other. DigitalOcean is where your server runs. Kamal is how you deploy to it. Many developers use Kamal to deploy to DigitalOcean Droplets. The real comparison is DigitalOcean's managed deployment options (App Platform) versus using Kamal on a raw Droplet.

App Platform vs Kamal. DigitalOcean's App Platform is a managed PaaS. Push code, it deploys. No Docker required, no server management, no SSH. Kamal requires Docker, a Dockerfile, a deploy.yml configuration, and a Docker registry. App Platform is simpler. Kamal gives you more control and runs on cheaper infrastructure (raw Droplets cost less than App Platform).

Cost. A DigitalOcean Droplet ($6-12/month) plus Kamal (free) runs your app for $6-12 total. The same app on App Platform costs $5-12/month per service plus database costs, typically $20-30/month for a full stack. Kamal on a Droplet lets you run multiple apps on one server for one flat cost.

Zero-downtime deployments. Kamal handles zero-downtime deployments out of the box through Traefik. The old container keeps serving while the new one starts, then traffic switches. App Platform also does zero-downtime deploys, but it's abstracted away. With Kamal, you see exactly how it works.

Docker dependency. App Platform auto-detects many runtimes and builds from source. Kamal requires a working Dockerfile. If Docker isn't part of your workflow yet, App Platform has a lower barrier to entry. If you already use Docker, Kamal fits naturally.

Multi-server support. Kamal deploys to multiple servers from a single configuration. Add server IPs to deploy.yml, and Kamal rolls out to all of them. This makes horizontal scaling straightforward. With App Platform, scaling is managed through the dashboard.

Accessories and databases. Kamal can deploy "accessories" like PostgreSQL, Redis, and other services alongside your application. These run as Docker containers on your server. DigitalOcean's managed databases are a separate, fully managed service with backups and failover. Kamal's approach is cheaper. DigitalOcean's managed approach is more reliable.

When to Choose DigitalOcean (App Platform)

• You want a managed PaaS without touching servers or Docker
• Managed databases with automatic backups are important
• Quick setup and dashboard-driven management are priorities
• You don't want to learn Docker or write deployment configurations
• Paying $20-30/month for a managed full-stack deployment is acceptable

When to Choose Kamal (on DigitalOcean or Any Server)

• Docker is already part of your development workflow
• You want zero-downtime deployments with full transparency
• Running multiple apps on one cheap server matters for your budget
• You prefer configuration-as-code over dashboard-driven management
• You want deployment portability (move between any hosting provider)

The Verdict

The question isn't really DigitalOcean or Kamal. It's managed platform (App Platform) or self-managed deployment (Kamal on a Droplet). Both use DigitalOcean's infrastructure in most cases.

If you want the simplest deployment path, App Platform removes every infrastructure concern. Push code, it works. You pay a premium for that convenience, but you save hours of DevOps time.

If Docker is already in your toolbox and you want control over deployment, Kamal on a DigitalOcean Droplet is a powerful combination. Zero-downtime deploys, multiple apps on one server, and full portability between hosting providers.

My recommendation: start with App Platform if deployment speed matters most. Adopt Kamal when you have multiple projects, want lower hosting costs, and are comfortable with Docker. Kamal plus a $6 Droplet is one of the most cost-effective production deployment setups available.