Last updated: June 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: Docker Mastery (4.6★) from Docker Captain Bret Fisher is the best all-round course. If you also want Kubernetes and a big build-along project, Docker and Kubernetes: The Complete Guide (4.7★) is the stronger pick.
- Best overall: Docker Mastery (Bret Fisher)
- Best with Kubernetes: Docker and Kubernetes: The Complete Guide (Stephen Grider)
- Pricing: Udemy courses typically $15–$20 on sale; Coursera on subscription
Docker is now a baseline skill for developers and a core one for DevOps. The good news is that the best Docker courses are taught by genuinely recognized names — a Docker Captain, and one of Udemy’s most popular DevOps instructors — so you’re not gambling on who to learn from.
We checked each course was live and confirmed its current rating before recommending it. Most learners will also want Kubernetes eventually, so we’ve noted which courses cover it. We earn a commission if you enroll through our links, which never changes the order.
HOW WE PICKED
We weighed instructor authority, how current the material is, learner ratings at scale, and which stage the course serves — absolute beginner, working developer, or DevOps engineer adding orchestration. Every pick holds a 4.4★ rating or higher.
1. Best overall — Docker Mastery
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Bret Fisher is a Docker Captain — recognized by Docker for his expertise — and his course shows it. It’s the most complete, practical tour of Docker available: images, containers, networking, volumes, Compose, and an introduction to Swarm and Kubernetes. He keeps it updated, which matters in a tool that changes often. At 4.6★ it’s the safest all-round choice.
Best for: developers and DevOps engineers who want one thorough Docker course. Worth knowing: Kubernetes coverage is an introduction — see the next pick for depth there.
2. Best with Kubernetes — Docker and Kubernetes: The Complete Guide
Stephen Grider’s course is the pick if you want Docker and Kubernetes together, learned by building a real CI/CD pipeline end to end. It’s project-heavy and goes further into orchestration and deployment than the others. At 4.7★ it’s the highest-rated course here and the best route from “I know Docker” to “I can ship it.”
Best for: developers who want Docker, Kubernetes, and deployment in one path. Worth knowing: it’s demanding — expect to build alongside, not just watch.
RECOMMENDED PARTNER — UDEMY
From containers to deployment
Start with Docker Mastery for the fundamentals, then take the Complete Guide for Kubernetes and CI/CD — each typically $15–$20 on sale, lifetime access.
Affiliate partnership — we may earn commission when you sign up via this link. We only recommend courses we’d send a friend to.
3. Best for beginners — Docker for the Absolute Beginner
From the KodeKloud team, this course is built for people who’ve never touched containers. It pairs short lessons with hands-on browser labs, so you’re running commands within minutes instead of watching slides. At 4.6★ it’s the gentlest on-ramp and a good precursor to the two courses above.
Best for: total beginners to Docker and DevOps. Worth knowing: it’s foundational — you’ll want a deeper course afterward.
4. Best with a credential — Introduction to Containers w/ Docker, Kubernetes & OpenShift (Coursera)
This IBM course on Coursera is the pick if you want a recognized certificate alongside the skills. It covers Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Istio through browser-based labs, and forms part of several IBM professional certificates. It holds a 4.4★ rating across 1,048 reviews.
Best for: learners who want a credential and a broader container ecosystem view. Worth knowing: it expects basic cloud and programming familiarity.
Enroll on Coursera (free trial) →
Docker courses compared
| Course | Best for | Provider | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Docker Mastery | Overall Docker skills | Udemy (Bret Fisher) | 4.6 |
| Docker and Kubernetes: Complete Guide | Docker + Kubernetes | Udemy (Grider) | 4.7 |
| Docker for the Absolute Beginner | First-timers | Udemy (KodeKloud) | 4.6 |
| Containers w/ Docker, K8s & OpenShift | A credential | Coursera / IBM | 4.4 (1,048) |
What about Docker certification?
Here’s an honest answer most listicles skip: there is no widely-held, active Docker-specific certification right now — the old Docker Certified Associate (DCA) was discontinued. So “Docker certification” in practice means one of these:
- A course certificate — the IBM/Coursera course above gives a recognized one, and the Udemy courses give completion certificates.
- Kubernetes certifications — if you want a vendor-neutral, in-demand container credential, the CNCF’s KCNA (entry) and CKA (administrator) are the ones employers actually look for. Docker skills feed directly into them.
For most people, the practical move is to learn Docker well, then target a Kubernetes certification if you want a formal credential.
Docker is one piece of the DevOps toolchain. Keep going with our guides to the best Kubernetes courses, best Jenkins courses, and best Linux courses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Docker course?
Docker Mastery (4.6★) by Docker Captain Bret Fisher is the best all-round course. If you want Kubernetes and a full deployment project as well, Stephen Grider’s Docker and Kubernetes: The Complete Guide (4.7★) is the stronger choice.
Should I learn Docker or Kubernetes first?
Docker first. Kubernetes orchestrates containers, so it assumes you already understand images and containers. Learn Docker, then move on to Kubernetes — the Complete Guide covers both in that order.
Is there an official Docker certification?
Not an active, widely-held one — the Docker Certified Associate was discontinued. For a formal container credential, most people target a Kubernetes certification (KCNA or CKA) instead, which Docker skills feed directly into.
How much do Docker courses cost?
The Udemy courses are usually $15–$20 on sale with lifetime access. The Coursera/IBM course runs on a monthly subscription, and you can audit it free without the certificate.