Developer tools & code hosting
Docker Hub vs GitHub Marketplace
Docker Hub and GitHub Marketplace both compete in developer tools & code hosting. Here is how they compare on the factors that decide where a developer should build — authentication, complexity, review, monetization, and merchant of record.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Docker, Inc. | GitHub, Inc. |
| Ecosystem | Developer tools & code hosting | Developer tools & code hosting |
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Primary auth | PAT | OAuth 2.0 |
| Also supports | OAuth 2.0 | PAT, JWT |
| Complexity | Moderate (L2) | Moderate (L2) |
| Security review | Required | Required |
| Integration types | Connector | Connector, Workflow action, Bot |
| Monetization | Free, Listing fee | Free, Paid app, Usage-based |
| Onboarding fee | Verified Publisher is a paid partner program (fees vary) | $0 |
| Commission | No per-image sales; paid content is via program membership/subscription | 25% on paid Marketplace apps (waived first $1M in some programs) |
| Merchant of Record | Docker (for subscription and program billing) | GitHub acts as MoR for Marketplace billing |
| AI agents / bots | Supported | Supported |
| Example apps | nginx, postgres, redis | Codecov, Dependabot, Snyk |
| API rate limits | Anonymous pulls are capped (roughly 200 per 6-hour window); paid tiers and curated content get unlimited pulls. | REST and GraphQL rate limits scale with installation and app authentication type. |
| Links |
Which should you choose?
- Lower complexity: both at level 2/4.
- Security review: both require a formal review.
- AI agents: both explicitly support AI agents.