For small VPS deployments you often do not need Docker, and DollarDeploy defaults to native systemd.
Why it matters: running apps as native systemd services removes container overhead. systemd handles process supervision, restarts, and boot startup directly on the host.
Yes, but: Docker Compose is still supported and worth it when you want container isolation, multi-service local parity, or images that ship more easily as containers. The trade-off is native = lighter, Docker = more isolation and portable images at the cost of overhead.
The bottom line: DollarDeploy lets you pick per app.
Go deeper: running Node.js apps as systemd processes.