Docker Machines good for Non-SysAdmins?

[Apple]

@master_of_web

Capover looks interesting. But in the end, isn’t it similar to something like cpanel where you have a GUI to manage our server and services, just based on docker?

Yes, that's pretty much it. I'm also looking forward the release of Coolify v2 - seems it's going to bring a lot of goodies, such as cronjobs and backups. I'm really excited about it! May be worth waiting a few weeks.

I haven't heard of aaPanel before, just checked it and it definitely has some interesting features! The nginx WAF plug-in caught my attention

@master_of_web

So what do you think would be the the most worry-free way to host a nodejs app? Is there a “regular” hoster specialized in nodejs?

We wish

@master_of_web

Or something like digital ocean app plattform or heroku even if pricing is much higher?

Using a PaaS (like DigitalOcean App Platform or Heroku) would probably be the most worry-free to host a NodeJS app, followed by a proper shared hosting with NodeJS support (cPanel, CloudLinux, SSH access, NodeJS support, JetBackup, nginx or LiteSpeed, and maybe Immunify 360* or BitNinja* to handle attacks).

* no personal experience with those

Heroku is too expensive for me. I've never tried DigitalOcean's App Platform, but I figure it's a safe bet. I've also used Clever-Cloud before, which initially had some reliability issues but I think they've fixed them over time as some fairly big companies are using them.

I've actually considered (and I'm still considering) developing a proper shared hosting (PaaS/CaaS) for NodeJS/MariaDB/PostgreSQL/Redis given my past struggles finding a proper worry-free hosting solution. To date, I've not found a proper shared hosting for NodeJS with all the goodies (e.g.: Postgres or Redis).

If you can setup your NodeJS project on shared hosting, that's the most affordable way while having a minimally managed solution. The more expensive alternative is going for a PaaS.

For more exotic projects you can use a PaaS, for more standard projects you can use regular shared hosting. I think once the project is setup on shared hosting it won't mysteriously break. Just pick a shared hosting with cPanel, CloudLinux, SSH access, JetBackup, nginx or LiteSpeed, maybe something with Immunify 360* or BitNinja* - it's hard to find a proper provider with all these things!

* no personal experience with those

Edit: For cPanel shared hosting, I recommend a reseller account, to separate projects. Otherwise, they'll all run under the same user, which could be a security risk if one app is compromised