Docker vs Virtual Machines: Key Differences

Docker and virtual machines are both technologies used for virtualization, but they have some differences.

1. A virtual machine achieves virtualization by running a complete operating system on a physical server, whereas Docker achieves virtualization by running containers on the host operating system.
2. Virtual machines typically require more resources because each virtual machine needs a complete operating system, while Docker containers share the host operating system’s kernel, resulting in lower resource consumption.
3. Docker containers have faster startup times and better performance because they do not need to start a full operating system.
4. Docker containers are lighter, take up less storage space, and deploy faster.
5. Virtual machines are typically better suited for running applications from different operating systems, whereas Docker is more suitable for isolating applications from the same operating system.