Web Station or Container Manager for WordPress or Nextcloud etc

First time caller, long time viewer, hi there!

Been watching the (latest) YT video for installing WordPress. Short question is why not use Container Manager?

Lots of other people/places seem to default to using Container Manager (Docker). Or even Portainer.

I prefer the idea of using Web Station, I can ‘see’ what’s installed and where. I don’t really see the advantage of containers. What am I missing? Am I not paranoid enough about security? Is it better to be running (say) WordPress via the Reverse Proxy required when using it in a container?

I’m planning on installing WordPress and Nextcloud. I also have a couple of static websites already in Web Station.

Thanks.

On one hand you ask ‘why not use Container Manager’, and a moment later you state ‘I don’t really see the advantage of containers’.

What is your question?

Why do people use containers? Why is @Will not using containers? What are the advantages I don’t see or understand or either using or not using?

Why do people use containers? What are the benefits? Not being a Docker specialist, I notice that Docker containers let you:

  • let you run a large amount of different applications on your device
  • move containers easier to another device

The confusion starts when there is a native application on the NAS and a docker container; which one should you use? It depends on different factors. One is where you are familiar with. Another is that you are more flexible, such as selecting a specific version of PHP.

If you are generally familiar with Docker containers and Container Manager on the NAS, you might prefer that route and enjoy the benefits mentioned, such as flexibility.

If not, you are probably happier to use the native application and prevent a learning curve that might discourage you.

Last but not least, a Synology NAS sometimes offers you the option to use the best or both. When setting up a (WordPress) website, you can use Web Station and MariaDB from Package Center but run a newer version of PHP in a container. You can create a custom installation of WordPress within Web Station or in a container.