What is Docker Desktop used for?

Docker Desktop is a desktop application for building, running and sharing containers locally on Mac, Windows or Linux, with built-in Kubernetes support for developers. It is a good fit for containerizing applications during development, testing Kubernetes manifests locally and standardizing dev environments across a team.

Is Docker Desktop free?

Yes. Docker Desktop has a free plan, and paid plans start at $11 per seat per month. A free trial is also available.

Is Docker Desktop open source?

No. Docker Desktop is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Docker Desktop include Podman Desktop, Colima and Rancher Desktop.

Can I self-host Docker Desktop?

Yes. Although Docker Desktop is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers.

What are some alternatives to Docker Desktop?

Docker Desktop competes with OrbStack. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Docker Desktop alternatives.

Docker Desktop: features, pricing and alternatives

About Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop is a commercial desktop application from Docker that lets developers build, run and test containers on their own computers. It packages the container tooling into a single installable app for Mac, Windows and Linux, so an application can be containerized and run locally the same way it will run in production.

Beyond running containers, the app offers a local Kubernetes option and connects to Docker Hub for finding and sharing images. It sits within a wider Docker product line that includes Docker Scout for software supply chain insight, Docker Model Runner for local model inference, an Extensions SDK for add-on tools, and Docker Offload for moving work off the local machine.

Docker Desktop is proprietary software. A free Personal plan targets individual developers, while the paid Pro, Team and Business plans are billed per user per month and add progressively more collaboration, security, control and compliance features.

Key features

Build and run containers on a local machine
Available for Mac, Windows and Linux
Built-in Kubernetes support for local testing
Docker Hub integration for sharing images
Extensions SDK for add-on tools
Docker Scout supply chain insights
Docker Model Runner for local LLM inference

Good fit for

→Containerizing applications during development
→Testing Kubernetes manifests locally
→Standardizing dev environments across a team

Tags: docker; containers; kubernetes; desktop-app; devops; local-development; proprietary

Docker Desktop: questions and answers

What is Docker Desktop used for?: Docker Desktop is a desktop application for building, running and sharing containers locally on Mac, Windows or Linux, with built-in Kubernetes support for developers. It is a good fit for containerizing applications during development, testing Kubernetes manifests locally and standardizing dev environments across a team.
Is Docker Desktop free?: Yes. Docker Desktop has a free plan, and paid plans start at $11 per seat per month. A free trial is also available.
Is Docker Desktop open source?: No. Docker Desktop is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Docker Desktop include Podman Desktop, Colima and Rancher Desktop.
Can I self-host Docker Desktop?: Yes. Although Docker Desktop is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers.
What are some alternatives to Docker Desktop?: Docker Desktop competes with OrbStack. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Docker Desktop alternatives.