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OrbStack vs Podman Desktop

Side-by-side comparison for macOS

OrbStack

8.5
Developer Tools

Replacement for Docker Desktop

Podman Desktop

8.0
Developer Tools

Browse, manage, inspect containers and images

Metric OrbStack Podman Desktop
Category Developer Tools Developer Tools
AI Score 8.5 8.0
30-day Installs 21.7K 3.2K
90-day Installs 56.1K 10.2K
365-day Installs 137.2K 47.7K
Version 2.1.1,20026 1.27.1
Auto-updates Yes Yes
Deprecated No No
GitHub Stars 8.2K 7.4K
GitHub Forks 84 499
Open Issues 446 797
License MIT Apache-2.0
Language Shell TypeScript
Last GitHub Commit 8mo ago 1mo ago
First Seen Mar 24, 2023 May 11, 2022

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

Podman Desktop

Podman Desktop offers a free, open-source alternative to Docker Desktop, providing a user-friendly interface for managing containers and Kubernetes. It simplifies container development and deployment, making it ideal for developers seeking an intuitive tool for container orchestration.

Podman Desktop allows users to browse, manage, inspect containers, and images efficiently.

Pros

  • + Free and open-source alternative to Docker Desktop
  • + Intuitive interface for managing containers and Kubernetes
  • + Cross-platform support with active development

Cons

  • - High number of open issues may indicate complexity
  • - Lack of presence on Reddit