Yes — a Hostinger VPS runs Docker natively, ships a Docker Manager inside hPanel, and offers a one-click “Ubuntu 24.04 with Coolify” template that gets the open-source PaaS running in minutes. For Coolify, start at KVM 2 (2 vCPU / 8 GB RAM) — it is the smallest plan that gives the panel and your apps real headroom.
What Docker on a Hostinger VPS actually looks like
Every Hostinger VPS is a full KVM virtual server with root access, so Docker is not a special feature you unlock — it is just software you can install on any plan. What Hostinger adds on top is convenience: an OS template with Docker preinstalled, and a Docker Manager section in hPanel where you can see running containers, images, and volumes without living in the terminal.
In practice there are three ways to get Docker running:
- Docker OS template: choose it during VPS setup (or reinstall with it later) and Docker plus Docker Compose arrive ready to use.
- Manual install on Ubuntu: the standard Docker install script on a plain Ubuntu 24.04 image — two commands, five minutes, and you control every version.
- Via Coolify or Dokploy: the control panel manages Docker for you, so you rarely touch the command line at all.
Docker Manager is the middle ground: it gives you a visual view of what is running, which is handy when you have five containers and cannot remember which one is eating RAM. It does not replace a panel like Coolify — it will not deploy your Git repo, issue SSL certificates, or wire up databases. Think of it as a dashboard for Docker, not a platform.
One practical tip: if you outgrow Docker Manager’s view, Portainer is a free container you can run on the same VPS for a richer management UI — it takes two minutes to deploy and does not conflict with anything Hostinger provides.
Coolify on Hostinger: the one-click path
Coolify is the open-source, self-hosted alternative to Vercel, Netlify, and Heroku: you connect a Git repository and it builds, deploys, and serves your app with automatic SSL, all on your own server. Hostinger offers it as a first-class citizen — during VPS onboarding you simply select the “Ubuntu 24.04 with Coolify” template and the panel is preinstalled.
Coolify’s own minimums are modest: 2 CPU cores, 2 GB of RAM, and 30 GB of storage to run smoothly (hostinger.com/vps/coolify-hosting, checked October 9, 2026). That is the floor for the panel itself — your actual apps sit on top of it, so size for the workload, not just the panel. Hostinger’s own page points at KVM 2 (2 vCPU / 8 GB RAM / 100 GB NVMe) as the sensible starting point, and we agree: the price gap between KVM 1 and KVM 2 is small, and Coolify plus a couple of apps will use the extra RAM.
First access is straightforward: open http://your-vps-ip:3000 in a browser, create the admin account, and choose “localhost” when Coolify asks where to deploy — that means your apps run on the same VPS as the panel. From there: create a project, add a resource (application, database, or service), point it at your Git repo, and deploy. SSL certificates are issued automatically.
Coolify vs Dokploy: which one?
Hostinger published a full Coolify vs Dokploy comparison in its tutorials (September 15, 2026), and the honest summary is that they solve the same problem with different philosophies:
| Coolify | Dokploy | |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Larger, longer-running, more templates and guides | Smaller but growing fast |
| Interface | Minimalist dashboard, one-click templates | Clean UI, arguably simpler for first-timers |
| Deployments | Git-based CI/CD, webhooks, API | Git-based deploys, Docker Compose native |
| SSL | Automatic | Automatic |
| Best for | Teams and tinkerers who want the biggest ecosystem | Solo devs who want the shortest path from repo to URL |
There is no wrong answer here — both are free and open source, and both run fine on the same KVM 2 plan. If you are following tutorials, pick whichever one your tutorial uses; the concepts transfer.
Which Hostinger plan for Docker and Coolify?
| Plan | vCPU / RAM / Disk | Price | Verdict for Docker/Coolify |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVM 1 | 1 / 4 GB / 50 GB | OK for plain Docker with a few light containers; tight for Coolify | |
| KVM 2 | 2 / 8 GB / 100 GB |
63% OFF Verified Oct 8, 2026
VPS KVM 2
$8.99/mo
24-month plan, paid upfront Renews at $14.99/mo
| The sweet spot — Coolify minimums met with real headroom |
| KVM 4 | 4 / 16 GB / 200 GB |
70% OFF Verified Oct 8, 2026
VPS KVM 4
$12.99/mo
24-month plan, paid upfront Renews at $28.99/mo
| Multiple apps, databases, staging + production on one box |
Prices render from our deals database (checked October 9, 2026); renewal rates are shown in the deal cards.
The honest rule: Coolify’s 2 vCPU / 2 GB minimum rules out KVM 1 as a comfortable home — KVM 1 has the RAM but only one vCPU, and the panel plus a database plus your app will fight over it. KVM 2 is the plan Hostinger itself recommends for Coolify, and it is where we would start. If you are running plain Docker without a panel, KVM 1 is perfectly fine for side projects.
Deploy steps overview (the 30-minute version)
- Order the VPS on the 24-month term for the lowest monthly rate, and pick the “Ubuntu 24.04 with Coolify” template (or plain Ubuntu + Docker if you are going manual).
- Point your domain at the VPS IP with an A record — do this first, because DNS propagation is the only step you cannot rush.
- Open Coolify at http://your-vps-ip:3000, create the admin account, and register the server as localhost.
- Create a project and add your app from GitHub/GitLab; add a database resource (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB are all one click).
- Set environment variables in the Coolify UI, then hit Deploy and watch the build logs.
- Attach the domain in the app settings — Coolify provisions the SSL certificate automatically.
- Turn on backups: Hostinger includes free weekly automatic backups, and you can take manual snapshots in hPanel before big changes.
The honest cost math
Coolify itself is free and open source — the software costs you nothing. Your bill is the VPS plus your time:
- VPS: KVM 2 on the 24-month term (price in the card above); renewal roughly doubles — set a calendar reminder.
- Software: $0 — Coolify, Dokploy, and Docker are all free.
- Backups: weekly automatic backups included free; manual snapshots available in hPanel.
- Your time: the real cost — you are the sysadmin. Updates, firewall rules, and debugging at 2am are on you (though Kodee, Hostinger’s AI terminal assistant, can now run many of these tasks from a chat prompt).
Compare that with a managed PaaS: hosting three small apps on a platform like Railway or Render can easily run $15–$25/mo in usage fees. The same three apps on one KVM 2 Coolify box cost the flat VPS rate — the savings grow with every app you add, which is exactly why developers self-host Coolify.
Pros and cons, honestly
Pros: full root access; one-click Coolify template; Docker Manager for visual container oversight; free weekly backups; flat pricing that beats per-app PaaS billing at scale; Kodee AI assistant helps with server tasks in plain language.
Cons: you are the sysadmin — security patching, firewall, and updates are your job; KVM 1 is underpowered for Coolify despite the tempting price; renewal pricing roughly doubles after the first term; no phone support, chat/ticket only.
FAQ
Does Hostinger VPS support Docker?
Yes. Every Hostinger VPS is a full KVM server with root access, so Docker runs natively. There is a Docker OS template for one-click setup and a Docker Manager section in hPanel for visual container management.
Is there a one-click Coolify install on Hostinger?
Yes — choose the “Ubuntu 24.04 with Coolify” template during VPS setup (or reinstall with it later from hPanel). Coolify comes preinstalled; you create the admin account at http://your-vps-ip:3000.
What is the minimum Hostinger plan for Coolify?
Coolify needs 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM, and 30 GB disk at minimum. KVM 2 (2 vCPU / 8 GB RAM / 100 GB NVMe) is the recommended starting point — KVM 1’s single vCPU gets cramped once the panel, a database, and your app share it.
Coolify vs Dokploy — which should I choose?
Both are free and run on the same plans. Coolify has the larger community and more tutorials; Dokploy is arguably simpler for a first deployment. Pick whichever your guide uses — the concepts transfer.
Is self-hosting Coolify cheaper than Vercel or Railway?
Usually yes, once you run more than one or two apps: one flat VPS fee replaces per-app usage billing. The trade-off is your time — you handle updates, security, and debugging yourself.
Can I run n8n or other apps alongside Coolify?
Yes — Coolify deploys anything Docker-based, and n8n, databases, and static sites can all live on the same VPS as long as RAM allows. KVM 2 handles a typical Coolify + n8n + database stack comfortably.
Next steps: size your automation stack in our n8n VPS requirements guide, or compare flat VPS pricing against usage billing in Hostinger vs Railway for n8n.