What is OrbStack used for?

OrbStack is a native macOS app for running Docker containers, Kubernetes and Linux machines locally, positioned as a lighter alternative to Docker Desktop. It is a good fit for replacing Docker Desktop on a Mac, running Linux dev machines alongside containers and testing x86 images on Apple silicon.

Yes. OrbStack has a free plan, and paid plans start at $8 per seat per month.

Is OrbStack open source?

No. OrbStack is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to OrbStack include Colima, Podman and Lima.

Can I self-host OrbStack?

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

What are some alternatives to OrbStack?

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

OrbStack: features, pricing and alternatives

About OrbStack

OrbStack is a macOS application for running Docker containers and Linux machines on a Mac. It is designed as a drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop, with an emphasis on quick startup and low CPU, disk and memory use. The app is built as a native Swift application and is managed from the menu bar.

Containers get fast networking and file sharing, with bind mounts and port forwarding that work out of the box, and x86 images can run through Rosetta emulation on Apple silicon. Beyond containers, it can run Kubernetes and a range of Linux distributions as machines, with USB passthrough, command-line integration, remote SSH editing and isolated sandboxes for untrusted code. Docker Compose and related tooling are included.

OrbStack is commercial software with its own pricing page. It is generally understood to be free for personal use, with a paid license for commercial use, so check the vendor's current terms. It suits Mac-based developers who want a lighter local container setup.

Key features

Runs Docker containers natively on macOS
Linux machines with command-line integration
x86 container support via Rosetta emulation
Built-in Kubernetes cluster
Fast file sharing and networking
USB passthrough and isolated sandboxes
Menu bar management

Good fit for

→Replacing Docker Desktop on a Mac
→Running Linux dev machines alongside containers
→Testing x86 images on Apple silicon

Tags: docker; containers; macos; linux; kubernetes; desktop-app; local-development

OrbStack: questions and answers

What is OrbStack used for?: OrbStack is a native macOS app for running Docker containers, Kubernetes and Linux machines locally, positioned as a lighter alternative to Docker Desktop. It is a good fit for replacing Docker Desktop on a Mac, running Linux dev machines alongside containers and testing x86 images on Apple silicon.
Is OrbStack free?: Yes. OrbStack has a free plan, and paid plans start at $8 per seat per month.
Is OrbStack open source?: No. OrbStack is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to OrbStack include Colima, Podman and Lima.
Can I self-host OrbStack?: Yes. Although OrbStack is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers.
What are some alternatives to OrbStack?: OrbStack competes with Docker Desktop. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source OrbStack alternatives.