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 | ✅ | ❌ |
| Isolated machines | ✅ | ❌ |
| Run graphical apps | ❌ | ❌ |
| 🔌 Devices | ||
| USB passthrough | ✅ | ❌ |
| Audio | ✅ | ❌ |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Windows support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Enterprise SSO | ✅ | ✅ |
| Central user management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Restrict registry access | ❌ | ✅ |
Last updated in January 2025 for Docker Desktop v4.37.2.
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