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Podman Desktop VS OrbStack

Compare Podman Desktop VS OrbStack and see what are their differences

Podman Desktop logo Podman Desktop

Containers and Kubernetes for application developers

OrbStack logo OrbStack

Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux on macOS
  • Podman Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-07
  • OrbStack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

Podman Desktop features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    Podman Desktop provides a graphical user interface that makes it easier for users, especially those new to containerization, to manage and interact with containers without needing extensive command-line knowledge.
  • Rootless Mode
    Podman Desktop supports rootless containers, enhancing security by allowing users to run containers without requiring root access, reducing the risk of system-wide changes.
  • Compatibility with Docker
    Podman uses the Docker CLI, enabling easy transition for users familiar with Docker, and provides compatibility with Docker images and commands.
  • Daemonless Architecture
    Unlike Docker, Podman does not require a background daemon, improving simplicity and reducing system resource usage.
  • Pod Support
    It offers built-in support for Kubernetes-like pods, allowing users to manage multiple containers as a single unit, simplifying multi-container applications.

Possible disadvantages of Podman Desktop

  • Limited Ecosystem
    Compared to Docker, Podman has a less mature ecosystem with fewer third-party tools and integrations available for container management and orchestration.
  • Learning Curve
    For users familiar with Docker's daemon-based architecture, transitioning to Podman’s daemonless approach can require a learning curve and adaptation.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running containers in rootless mode may introduce performance overhead compared to traditional root-based container execution.
  • Less Community Support
    The community around Podman, while growing, is still smaller than Docker's, potentially leading to slower support and fewer community-created resources.

OrbStack features and specs

  • Performance
    OrbStack is optimized for high performance, providing faster boot times and efficient resource usage compared to other virtualization platforms.
  • User Interface
    The platform offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that simplifies management and set up of virtual machines and containers.
  • Integration
    OrbStack integrates well with various development tools and environments, enhancing workflow efficiency for developers.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    It supports multiple platforms, making it versatile and accessible for users across different operating systems.
  • Security
    The platform is designed with robust security features to protect virtualized environments and ensure data integrity.

Possible disadvantages of OrbStack

  • Limited Documentation
    Some users might find the available documentation scarce, making it harder to find solutions to specific issues or advanced configurations.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, there may still be a learning curve for users who are new to virtualization technologies.
  • Pricing
    Depending on the licensing model, OrbStack can be costly for individual developers or small teams with limited budgets.
  • Resource Intensity
    Though efficient, the platform may require significant system resources, which could be a drawback for users with less powerful hardware.
  • Compatibility Issues
    While OrbStack supports various platforms, there might be occasional compatibility issues with specific hardware or software configurations.

Podman Desktop videos

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OrbStack videos

OrbStack: A Lightweight Alternative for Docker

More videos:

  • Review - Practices for Docker on Mac Mini M2 Pro with OrbStack #mac #orbstack #docker #container

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Podman Desktop and OrbStack)
Dev Ops
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
43 43%
57% 57
Design Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Podman Desktop should be more popular than OrbStack. It has been mentiond 35 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Podman Desktop mentions (35)

  • Quadlet: Running Podman containers under systemd
    I am part of the Podman Desktop[1] team, and I am personally a big fan of Podman Quadlets! Recently I took the journey to deep dive into Quadlets, and see how it can be integrated into Podman Desktop. With the extension system we have (very similar to VS-Code), I created an extension called `Podman Quadlets` and wrote a blog on our website[2]. It integrate with Podlet[3] (but I am trying to move away from it, as I... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Docker Desktop Alternative
    I would also encourage people to look at Podman desktop which has pretty good support from Red Hat. https://podman-desktop.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Docker Desktop Alternative
    What does this offer that podman desktop does not? https://podman-desktop.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Minimal tips to run isolated code
    Thus motivated, install Podman Desktop, a Docker-compatible Linux containers tool with Podman. After Podman Desktop is installed and running, open a terminal and. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Use local AI Models easily for Development and Experimentation
    Podman Desktop AI Lab is a recently announced extension for Podman Desktop, aimed at simplifying the development, testing, and running of generative AI (GenAI) applications locally on developers' workstations. This tool provides an intuitive graphical interface, making it easier for developers to integrate AI capabilities into their applications without requiring extensive infrastructure or AI expertise. - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago
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OrbStack mentions (23)

  • Docker limits unauthenticated pulls to 10/HR/IP from Docker Hub, from March 1
    If you're on Mac worth checking out the commercial https://orbstack.dev/ Reasonable price for better dev efficiency. Free for personal use. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Build a data-intensive Next.js app with Tinybird and Cursor
    This is a Docker image, so you just need a Docker runtime on your machine (if you're using MacOS, I recommend OrbStack). - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Troubleshooting Docker Desktop: Tips and Alternatives for Developers
    OrbStack: Although it’s a paid tool, OrbStack promises faster, lighter, and simpler container and Linux management compared to Docker Desktop. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Docker Desktop Broken on Mac OS Update for over a Week
    How can update like this even happen and I'm still waiting for the post mortem on this. [0] Quite frankly a very basic intern mistake but done by "seniors". In the mean time, I'm using Orbstack. [1] Much faster, lightweight and native. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42695066. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Hosting HuggingFace Models with KoboldCpp and RunPod
    Simply run docker compose down or use GUIs such as Rancher Desktop, Docker Desktop, or OrbStack to shut down the containers. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Podman Desktop and OrbStack, you can also consider the following products

Podman - Simple debugging tool for pods and images

Portainer - Simple management UI for Docker

Rancher - Open Source Platform for Running a Private Container Service

Docker Desktop - Docker Desktop is a one-click-install application that lets you to build, share, and run containerized applications and microservices.

Docker - Docker is an open platform that enables developers and system administrators to create distributed applications.

k3s - K3s is a lightweight Kubernetes distribution by Rancher Labs intended for IoT, Edge, and cloud deployments.