# Docker Compose

> Apache-2.0 multi-container apps from one YAML file

**Category:** DevOps  
**Pricing:** open-source  
**URL:** https://docs.docker.com/compose/  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/docker/compose  
**Added:** 2026-10-13

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## The Hook

Docker Compose describes a multi-container application — services, networks, volumes — in one compose.yaml and brings the whole stack up or down with a single command.

## What's Good

Apache-2.0 (docker/compose), release v5.6.0. The standard way to run local development stacks and small single-host deployments; works with Docker Engine on Linux and with Podman through its Compose support. The compose file format is an open specification. ★~38k.

## The Catch

Compose itself is Apache-2.0, but Docker Desktop — the usual way to get it on macOS and Windows — has its own licence terms that require a paid subscription for larger companies; Docker Engine on Linux avoids that. Single-host only: for multi-node orchestration you need Kubernetes or similar.

## Verdict

The default for multi-container dev stacks — check Docker Desktop licensing if your company is large.