SayDeploy Plain comparisons of developer tools, AI coding tools included

Docker Compose vs Process Compose in 2026

Compare Docker Compose and Process Compose on features, pricing and setup, and see when DevWebUI fits your dev workflow.

By SayDeploy ·

SayDeploy is published by LunarWerx, which makes some of the tools compared here.

Docker Compose defines and runs multi‑container applications, while Process Compose schedules and orchestrates non‑containerized processes. DevWebUI provides a dashboard for starting, stopping and restarting local dev servers. [1] [2] [3]

OptionWhat it managesFree tierPaid planAccount neededInstall
Docker ComposeMulti‑container applications defined and run [1]Docker Personal includes 100 Docker Hub pulls per hour and 1 private repo [4]Docker Pro and Docker Team exist; prices not published [4] [4]Not stated for Compose itself [1]Not stated for Compose itself [1]
Process ComposeNon‑containerized processes scheduled and orchestrated, with liveness and readiness health checks [2] [2]Not published [2]Not published [2]Not stated [2]Single binary; no other dependencies [2]
DevWebUILocal dev servers from one dashboard [3]Free; core features need no account [3]No paid tier is stated; it is free [3]Not needed for core features [3]devwebui‑windows‑x64.exe from GitHub Releases or bun install then bun run dev [3]

The short answer

Docker Compose manages services, networks and volumes in a single YAML configuration file [1], and with a single command it creates and starts all the services in that file [1]. Docker Compose defines and runs multi-container applications. [1] Process Compose runs scheduled jobs, supports cron‑style and interval triggers, and offers recovery policies for non‑container processes [2] [2]. DevWebUI gives a single pane to start, stop and restart local development servers and see their status, CPU, memory and logs [3].

What each tool is built for

Docker Compose is a tool for defining and running multi‑container applications. It makes it easy to manage services, networks and volumes in a single YAML configuration file and creates all services with one command [1] [1] [1]. Its page says it works in production, staging, development, testing and CI workflows and can transform a Compose file into Kubernetes manifests [1] [1].

Process Compose is a simple and flexible scheduler and orchestrator for non‑containerized applications [2]. It is delivered as a single binary with no other dependencies and can be used through a terminal UI or CLI modes [2] [2]. It offers a REST API with optional token authentication, process recovery, file watching, dependency graph visualization and an MCP server for AI assistants [2] [2] [2] [2] [2].

What DevWebUI is built for

DevWebUI is made by the team that publishes this site.

It lets a developer start, stop and restart local dev servers from one dashboard, and see each server’s status, CPU, memory and logs [3]. One small file per repository lists the servers to run and the tool writes any changes back to that file [3]. When a port is already taken it shows which process holds the port and can free it on request [3]. It proxies traffic through a local address so live reload continues to work [3]. Errors are collected in a single log that merges repeats and keeps them across restarts, with file‑line links that open in the editor [3]. A compose block can start the repository’s Docker Compose stack first, wait for ports and set environment variables for the servers [3]. Threshold alert rules can be defined and a history of fired alerts is shown [3]. An MCP server with 43 tools lets AI agents control the same daemon the GUI uses [3].

Pricing and fees

Docker Personal includes 100 Docker Hub pulls per hour and one private repository [4]. Docker Pro and Docker Team are paid tiers, but their dollar amounts are not published here [4] [4]. Additional Testcontainers Cloud runtime minutes cost $3 per 100 minutes and on‑demand minutes cost $4 per 100 minutes [4] [4]. Docker Hardened Images Select starts at $5k per repo [4]; the Community edition is free [4].

Process Compose’s source does not provide a price, so its cost is not published [2].

DevWebUI is free and its core features need no account [3]. No paid tier is mentioned in its sources.

Setting it up and daily use

Developers create a YAML file describing services, then run a single command to start all services [1] [1].

Process Compose is a single binary with no other dependencies [2], and it can be used through a terminal UI or CLI modes [2]. Its REST API comes with optional token authentication [2]. File watching restarts a process when its files change [2].

On Windows, DevWebUI is installed by downloading devwebui‑windows‑x64.exe from GitHub Releases [3]. On any OS, the tool is installed with bun install and run with bun run dev [3]. A tray icon on Windows keeps the daemon running in the background [3]. Day‑to‑day, developers use the dashboard to start, stop and restart servers, view logs and health data, or use the devwebui CLI to perform the same actions without the GUI [3] [3].

Things to check before you choose

Ask whether you need to manage multi‑container applications or schedule non‑container processes. Docker Compose handles containers; Process Compose handles scheduled jobs [1] [2].

Consider the environments where the tool will run. Docker Compose works in production, staging, development, testing and CI workflows [1].

Check cost and account requirements. Docker Pro and Docker Team are paid tiers, but their dollar amounts are not published here [4] [4]. Process Compose price is not published [2]. DevWebUI is free and needs no account for core features [3].

Review data‑handling policies. DevWebUI sends an anonymous install ping unless disabled [3]. Docker Compose and Process Compose data policies are not covered by the facts provided.

How to choose

Choose Docker Compose if you need to define and run multi‑container applications with services, networks and volumes in a single file [1] [1]. Choose Docker Compose also if you need support for production, staging, development, testing and CI workflows [1]. Choose Process Compose if you need to schedule non‑container processes, use recovery policies and file watching [2] [2] [2]. Choose Process Compose when you want AI assistant integration via an MCP server [2]. Choose DevWebUI when you want a dashboard to start, stop and restart local dev servers, see status, CPU, memory and logs, and work with a single repo file that can also launch Docker services [3] [3] [3]. Choose DevWebUI if you prefer a free tool with no required account for core features [3].

Frequently asked questions

Is Docker Compose free to use?

Docker Personal includes limited pulls and a private repository at no charge [4]. Paid tiers such as Docker Pro and Docker Team exist but their prices are not published here [4] [4].

Is Process Compose free to use?

Process Compose is delivered as a single binary with no dependencies [2]. The sources do not state a price, so its cost is not published here [2].

Is DevWebUI free and open source?

DevWebUI is free and its core features need no account [3]. It is open source under the MIT License [3].

How do you install Docker Compose, Process Compose and DevWebUI?

You define a YAML file and run a single command to start services [1] [1]. Process Compose is a single binary that you download and run directly, optionally using its REST API or terminal UI [2] [2]. DevWebUI is installed on Windows by downloading devwebui‑windows‑x64.exe from GitHub Releases, or on any OS by running bun install then bun run dev [3].

Can Process Compose or DevWebUI work with AI assistants like Claude?

Process Compose provides an MCP server integration for AI assistants [2]. DevWebUI includes an MCP server with 43 tools that lets AI agents control the same daemon the GUI uses [3].

DevWebUI is free, and its core features need no account. [3]

Try DevWebUI

Sources

  1. Docker Compose, docs.docker.com/compose, read 2026-10-07
  2. Process Compose, f1bonacc1.github.io/process-compose, read 2026-10-09
  3. DevWebUI's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  4. Docker Compose, docker.com/pricing, read 2026-10-07

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