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Best / Container registries

Best open-source Container registries

The best self-hosted registry split in the c17.io catalog is Harbor for an Apache-2.0 CNCF image registry (the published Docker Hub path), Nexus Repository when the job is EPL-1.0 Maven/npm/generic artifacts rather than only images — /compare/harbor-vs-nexus, Forgejo when packages sit next to the GPL-3.0 git forge you already host — /best/git-hosting, and Gitea when you want that MIT forge registry. This is not Docker Hub's every Scout or Build Cloud SKU, GitHub Packages' every Actions cache, or JFrog Xray. A git host without packages stays on /best/git-hosting. A PaaS panel stays on /best/self-hosted-paas.

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Ranked picks

  1. 1

    Harbor

    Apache-2.0 CNCF registry (29,571 stars in the catalog) — the c17 Docker Hub path. /compare/harbor-vs-nexus.

    When to pick it: Images you push, scan, and pull from CI.

    29,571 stars in the catalog

  2. 2

    Nexus Repository

    EPL-1.0 artifact repository (2,681 stars in the catalog). /compare/harbor-vs-nexus.

    When to pick it: Maven, npm, or generic blobs if Harbor is images-only.

    2,681 stars in the catalog

  3. 3

    Forgejo

    GPL-3.0 forge packages already on /best/git-hosting (5,660 stars in the catalog).

    When to pick it: A few packages next to the git host, not a dedicated registry.

    5,660 stars in the catalog

  4. 4

    Gitea

    MIT forge packages (58,536 stars in the catalog). /compare/gitea-vs-forgejo.

    When to pick it: The MIT sibling if Forgejo is not the forge.

    58,536 stars in the catalog

How they compare

ToolLicenseSelf-hostBest for
HarborApache License 2.0MediumImages you push, scan, and pull from CI.
Nexus RepositoryEPL-1.0MediumMaven, npm, or generic blobs if Harbor is images-only.
ForgejoGNU General Public License v3.0EasyA few packages next to the git host, not a dedicated registry.
GiteaMIT LicenseEasyThe MIT sibling if Forgejo is not the forge.

Related pages

FAQ

Harbor or Nexus?
Harbor if you want the published Docker Hub image registry. Nexus if the job is Maven/npm — /compare/harbor-vs-nexus.
Is this GitHub Packages?
GitHub Packages stays on /replace/github-packages (Nexus for artifacts, Harbor for images).
Is this Docker Desktop?
Desktop and Scout stay behind. This page is the registry.
Are these free?
Harbor is Apache-2.0. Nexus public is EPL-1.0. Forgejo is GPL-3.0. Gitea is MIT. You pay hosting. Template users never pay c17.
How do I deploy it?
Open /stacks/harbor-registry. Persist blobs. Push one image.

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