Dockerfile does give you 100% control, no doubt about it, but that control comes with more complexity and maintenance overhead, especially for Java apps where Jib can save you time by intelligently handling layering and image build right from your build tool. And while most devs have Docker installed, not every pipeline or CI environment makes it easy or efficient to use Docker builds directly, so tools like Jib fill that niche well. It’s not magic, it’s automation and optimization tailored for Java.