About Kamal
Kamal is an open source tool for deploying web apps with Docker. You list your servers in a config file, and Kamal deploys to them over SSH with zero downtime. It was built for Rails apps and works with any web app that can be containerized.
What it does
Kamal performs zero-downtime deploys with rolling restarts and can build images on remote machines. It manages accessory services such as databases alongside the app. The config can point at plain servers, including cheap cloud virtual machines or your own hardware, so the same workflow works across providers.
Key features
- Zero-downtime deploys with rolling restarts
- Remote builds on your servers
- Manages accessory services such as databases
- Works with any containerized web app
- Servers listed by IP address in one config file
Who it's for
Kamal suits developers who want to run apps on their own hardware or on low-cost cloud servers without a managed platform. It also fits teams that want a clear path to move between providers later.
Pricing and good to know
Kamal is MIT licensed and free to use on GitHub. Your costs are the servers you rent or own. The project has a documentation site and a Discord community for questions.
Highlights
- Zero-downtime deploys with rolling restarts
- Remote builds on your servers
- Manages accessory services such as databases
- Works with any containerized web app
- Servers listed by IP address in one config file
