OrbStack vs. Docker Desktop ​

OrbStack is a drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop on macOS that's fast, light, simple, and easy to use. It runs both containers and Linux machines.

Feature comparison ​

Feature	OrbStack	Docker Desktop
🔨 Use Cases
Docker	✅	✅
Linux machines	✅	❌
Command line	✅	Partial
GUI	✅	✅
Kubernetes	✅	✅
⚡️ Performance
Fast startup	✅	❌
Fast network	Benchmarks
Rosetta x86 emulation	✅	✅
🔋 Efficiency
Low CPU usage	✅	❌
Low power usage	✅	❌
Memory on demand	✅	❌
Native macOS app	✅	❌ Electron
Dynamic memory	✅	❌ Can't release memory
😀 Ease of Use
Minimal setup	✅	❌
Simple UI	✅	❌
2-way file sharing	✅	❌ 1-way
SSH agent forwarding	✅	Requires special path
No admin required	✅	✅
Auto-update	✅	✅
Containers in menu bar	✅	❌
👾 Network
Domain names	✅	❌
IPv6	✅	❌
ICMP	✅	✅
VPN compatibility	✅	✅
macOS DNS	✅	✅
localhost forwarding	✅	✅
HTTP(S) proxy	✅	✅
SOCKS proxy	✅	✅
📦 Containers
Host networking	✅	✅
Bind mounts	✅	✅
Volume file access	✅	❌
Image file access	✅	❌
Container domains	✅	❌
Automatic HTTPS	✅	❌
Extensions	❌	✅
Scout	❌	✅
⎈ Kubernetes
NodePort access	✅	✅
ClusterIP access	✅	❌
LoadBalancer IP access	✅	❌
Auto wildcard domains	✅	❌
GUI for pods & services	✅	❌
🐧 Linux
Full Linux distros	✅	❌
Automatic SSH	✅	❌
Connect between machines	✅	❌
Fast x86 machines	✅	❌
CLI integration	✅	❌
Run graphical apps	❌	❌
Miscellaneous
Windows support	❌	✅
Enterprise SSO	✅	✅
Central user management	✅	✅
Restrict registry access	❌	✅

Last updated in January 2025 for Docker Desktop v4.37.2.

Getting started ​

Ready to switch? Follow the Quick Start guide to get started.