os-alt

self-host the SaaS you're paying for

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Distribution (CNCF) vs Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS

Self-host pick — both replace Docker Hub (Container image registry).

Both Distribution (CNCF) and Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS self-host as a replacement for Docker Hub (Container image registry). Pick Distribution (CNCF) if you want the lighter footprint — 5min docker run, $3-10/mo vps; storage on local disk or s3. Pick Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS if you need polyglot teams that already store Maven / npm / NuGet / PyPI artifacts in Nexus and want one tool for all formats — 20min docker run and $15/mo vps — jvm, needs at least 2gb ram.

Distribution (CNCF)open-sourceSonatype Nexus Repository OSSopen-source
LicenseApache-2.0EPL-1.0
Setup time5min docker run20min docker run
Monthly cost$3-10/mo VPS; storage on local disk or S3.$15/mo VPS — JVM, needs at least 2GB RAM.
GitHubdistribution/distribution ★ 10.4k · last commit todayalivesonatype/nexus-public ★ 2.52k · last commit 3mo agostale
ReplacesDocker HubDocker Hub

Good fit for

Distribution (CNCF)

Single-team or personal registries — minimal install, the de facto reference implementation.

Weak at:No UI, RBAC, or scanning — bring your own. Logging/auditing also bring-your-own.

Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS

Polyglot teams that already store Maven / npm / NuGet / PyPI artifacts in Nexus and want one tool for all formats.

Weak at:Heavy for a registry-only use case; UI feels enterprise-Java by default.

In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli docker-hub prints Docker Hub's self-host options including both — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Which is easier to self-host, Distribution (CNCF) or Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS?

Distribution (CNCF): 5min docker run. Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS: 20min docker run.

What does each cost to run?

Distribution (CNCF): $3-10/mo VPS; storage on local disk or S3.. Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS: $15/mo VPS — JVM, needs at least 2GB RAM.. Both projects are free and open source.

Do Distribution (CNCF) and Sonatype Nexus Repository OSS replace the same SaaS?

Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Docker Hub.