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OrbStack vs Multipass

Side-by-side comparison for macOS

OrbStack

8.5
Developer Tools

Replacement for Docker Desktop

Multipass

8.0
Developer Tools

Orchestrates virtual Ubuntu instances

Metric OrbStack Multipass
Category Developer Tools Developer Tools
AI Score 8.5 8.0
30-day Installs 21.7K 1.9K
90-day Installs 56.1K 5.9K
365-day Installs 137.2K 26.6K
Version 2.1.1,20026 1.16.2
Auto-updates Yes No
Deprecated No No
GitHub Stars 8.2K 9.0K
GitHub Forks 84 772
Open Issues 446 406
License MIT GPL-3.0
Language Shell C++
Last GitHub Commit 8mo ago 1mo ago
First Seen Mar 24, 2023 Aug 9, 2023

Reviews

OrbStack

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.

Pros

  • + Lightweight and fast performance
  • + Seamless integration with existing development workflows
  • + Active and engaged developer community
  • + Support for running Linux VMs on macOS

Cons

  • - High number of open GitHub issues
  • - Primarily developed in Shell, which may limit accessibility for some users

Multipass

Multipass is a powerful tool for developers, enabling the orchestration of virtual Ubuntu instances on macOS and other platforms. It simplifies the setup of development environments, offering a lightweight alternative to traditional virtualization solutions. Ideal for those working with Ubuntu-based workflows or cloud infrastructure.

Orchestrates virtual Ubuntu instances for development and testing.

Pros

  • + Lightweight and efficient for Ubuntu VMs
  • + Strong integration with tools like MAAS and LXD
  • + Active community and regular updates

Cons

  • - No auto-update feature
  • - Previous firewall connectivity issues (now resolved)