Docker images size benchmark

Comparison between various images containing the same Golang application.

How to build a smaller Docker image

When you're building a Docker image it's important to keep the size under control. Having small images means ensuring faster deployment and transfers.

Repository related to the article: How to build a smaller Docker image.

Build single image

docker build -t simple-server -f images/${DOCKERFILE_NAME} context

Run the container

open http://localhost:3000 && docker run -p 3000:3000 simple-server

Run tests

./bench --help

Usage: ./bench.sh [OPTIONS]

Run it.

Options:
    -h, --help         Show help docker
    -v, --verbose      Talk a lot while doing things
    -d, --debug        Enable debug mode, it also activates verbose
        --with-cache   Enable cache on Docker build
        --no-prepull   Disable prepull of base images
        --no-check     Skip dependencies preflight check
        --squash       Squash newly built layers into a single new layer on Docker build

Results

Normal build from Golang image Dockerfile-golang:

• Build time: 2114.989 microseconds
• Total size: 823MB
• Total layers filled: 8
• Total layers: 16

Multi stage build from Debian image Dockerfile-debian:

• Build time: 2620.073 microseconds
• Total size: 107MB
• Total layers filled: 2
• Total layers: 5

Multi stage build from Google distroless image Dockerfile-distroless:

• Build time: 2399.337 microseconds
• Total size: 23.4MB
• Total layers filled: 3
• Total layers: 5

Multi stage build from Alpine image Dockerfile-alpine:

• Build time: 2553.204 microseconds
• Total size: 10.8MB
• Total layers filled: 2
• Total layers: 5

Multi stage build from BusyBox image Dockerfile-busybox:

• Build time: 10399.718 microseconds
• Total size: 7.7MB
• Total layers filled: 2
• Total layers: 5

Multi stage build from scratch image Dockerfile-scratch:

• Build time: 10307.420 microseconds
• Total size: 6.5MB
• Total layers filled: 1
• Total layers: 3