OrbStack

orbstack · v2.1.1,20026 • auto-updates

8.5

Replacement for Docker Desktop

Developer Tools macOS 14+ Homepage →

brew install --cask orbstack

Compare with: vs. Docker Desktop vs. Podman Desktop vs. Rancher Desktop vs. Multipass

Note: Open the OrbStack app to finish setup.

21.7K

30-day installs

56.1K

90-day installs

137.2K

365-day installs

Install trend

Trust Score 8/10

✓ Open source (MIT) +3

✗ Active development +0

✓ Licensed +1

✓ Auto-updates +1

✓ Not deprecated +1

✓ Established (>1yr) +1

✓ Popular (>1K installs/mo) +1

Version History

v2.1.1,20026

9d ago2.0.5,19905→2.1.1,20026

Review

Mar 10, 2026

OrbStack is a lightweight and fast alternative to Docker Desktop, designed for macOS users who need simple containerization without the overhead of traditional solutions. It offers an easy-to-use interface for running Linux machines and Docker containers, making it ideal for developers seeking a streamlined workflow.

OrbStack provides a fast and simple solution for running Docker containers and Linux machines on macOS.

Maturity: The project is mature with 8,195 GitHub stars and active development, though it has 446 open issues indicating areas for improvement.

Community: OrbStack has garnered significant positive attention on Hacker News and Reddit, praised as a lightweight and efficient alternative to Docker Desktop and other containerization tools.