Oracle VirtualBox vs OrbStack
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
Oracle VirtualBox
7.0Virtualiser for arm64 hardware
OrbStack
8.5Replacement for Docker Desktop
| Metric | Oracle VirtualBox | OrbStack |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| AI Score | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| 30-day Installs | 1.8K | 21.7K |
| 90-day Installs | 5.9K | 56.1K |
| 365-day Installs | 32.0K | 137.2K |
| Version | 7.2.8,173730 | 2.1.1,20026 |
| Auto-updates | No | Yes |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 11 | 8.2K |
| GitHub Forks | - | 84 |
| Open Issues | - | 446 |
| License | — | MIT |
| Language | — | Shell |
| Last GitHub Commit | 3mo ago | 8mo ago |
| First Seen | Nov 12, 2012 | Mar 24, 2023 |
Reviews
Oracle VirtualBox
Oracle VirtualBox is a powerful virtualization tool enabling users to run multiple operating systems on their Mac. It supports arm64 hardware, making it ideal for developers, testers, and educators who need to manage diverse environments efficiently.
Runs multiple operating systems as virtual machines.
Pros
- + Cross-platform support for various operating systems
- + Native arm64 hardware support
- + Free and open-source
Cons
- - Lacks auto-update functionality
- - Known security vulnerabilities
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