Docker Desktop Alternatives: Free Options for Developers in 2025

Docker Desktop changed its licensing in 2021. Companies with 250+ employees or $10M+ revenue now need paid subscriptions.

If you’re affected—or just want lighter tooling—several excellent alternatives have emerged.

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Quick Verdict

Choose Podman for the closest Docker CLI compatibility without a GUI.

Choose Rancher Desktop for a free Docker Desktop-like experience with GUI.

Choose Colima for minimal, fast setup on Mac.

Choose OrbStack if you’re on Mac and want the best experience (paid for business).

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Why Consider Alternatives?

Beyond licensing, there are practical reasons to explore options:

• Resource usage — Docker Desktop can consume significant memory and CPU, especially on Mac
• OCI standards — Some prefer tools aligned with open container standards
• Simplicity — Lighter tools for simpler use cases

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Comparison at a Glance

Tool	Platform	GUI	Docker Compatible	License
Podman	Mac, Linux, Windows	Podman Desktop	Yes (mostly)	Apache 2.0
Rancher Desktop	Mac, Linux, Windows	Yes	Yes	Apache 2.0
Colima	Mac, Linux	No	Yes	MIT
OrbStack	Mac only	Yes	Yes	Free personal / $8/mo

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Podman

Podman is developed by Red Hat as a daemonless container engine. It’s designed as a drop-in Docker replacement.

How It Works

Unlike Docker, Podman doesn’t require a background daemon. Each container runs as a child process. On Mac, it uses a Linux VM (like Docker Desktop).

Getting Started

brew install podman
podman machine init
podman machine start

Most Docker commands work by aliasing:

alias docker=podman

Strengths

• Rootless containers by default — Better security
• No daemon — Simpler architecture, no single point of failure
• Docker-compatible CLI — Most workflows transfer unchanged
• Podman Desktop — GUI similar to Docker Desktop
• Red Hat backing — Long-term maintenance assured

Tradeoffs

• Some Docker features don’t translate perfectly
• macOS performance historically lagged (improving)
• Podman Desktop is newer and less polished

Best For

Linux developers. Teams prioritizing security. Red Hat/Fedora environments.

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Rancher Desktop

Rancher Desktop is a free, open-source desktop app by SUSE. It provides both container management and Kubernetes.

How It Works

Runs a VM with your choice of containerd or dockerd as the runtime. Kubernetes included and toggleable.

Getting Started

brew install --cask rancher

Strengths

• Kubernetes integration — Local K8s with a single toggle
• Runtime choice — Start with Docker compatibility, switch to containerd later
• Well-designed GUI — Good visibility into containers and pods
• Completely free — No usage restrictions

Tradeoffs

• Heavier than single-purpose tools
• Dual-runtime choice can confuse newcomers
• Overkill if you only need containers (no K8s)

Best For

Developers needing both containers and Kubernetes locally. Teams wanting Docker Desktop-like UX without cost.

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Colima

Colima is a minimal container runtime for Mac. It’s “Docker on Lima” with sensible defaults.

How It Works

Creates a Lima VM and configures Docker inside it. The focus is simplicity.

Getting Started

brew install colima docker
colima start

That’s it. Docker CLI works immediately.

Strengths

• Fast startup — Launches in seconds
• Low resource usage — Lighter than Docker Desktop
• Simple configuration — colima start --cpu 4 --memory 8
• Fewer moving parts — Less to break

Tradeoffs

• No GUI — CLI only
• macOS focused
• No built-in Kubernetes (can add K3s manually)

Best For

Mac developers comfortable with CLI. Users who find Docker Desktop too heavy. Those who don’t need a GUI.

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OrbStack

OrbStack is a commercial alternative focused on being the fastest and most efficient option for Mac.

How It Works

Uses a custom virtualization layer optimized for macOS.

Getting Started

brew install orbstack

Strengths

• Noticeably faster — Container startup, file sync, networking
• Remarkably low memory — Often under 1GB vs Docker Desktop’s 2-4GB
• Clean macOS integration — Menu bar, notifications, native feel
• Linux VM support — Run full distros alongside containers

Tradeoffs

• Mac only
• Paid for business use — $8/month
• Closed source

Best For

Mac developers wanting the best experience. Users frustrated with Docker Desktop’s resource usage.

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Performance Comparison

Tested on M2 MacBook Air, 16GB RAM:

Metric	Docker Desktop	Podman	Colima	OrbStack
Startup	30s	15s	8s	3s
Idle RAM	2.1GB	1.4GB	0.8GB	0.5GB
File sync	Moderate	Moderate	Good	Excellent

OrbStack leads across the board. Colima offers the best free option.

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Migration from Docker Desktop

Step 1: Export Important Data

# Save images you want to keep
docker save myimage:latest > myimage.tar

Step 2: Install Alternative

Follow the getting started instructions above. Most alternatives coexist with Docker Desktop for testing.

Step 3: Import Data

docker load < myimage.tar

Step 4: Verify Workflows

Run your docker-compose files and scripts. Note any issues.

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How to Choose

Choose Podman if…

• You’re on Linux (native performance)
• Security and rootless containers matter
• You want industry-backed open source

Choose Rancher Desktop if…

• You need Kubernetes locally
• You want a GUI without paying
• Docker Desktop-like experience matters

Choose Colima if…

• You’re on Mac and comfortable with CLI
• You want minimal resource usage
• Simplicity beats features

Choose OrbStack if…

• You’re on Mac and want the best experience
• $8/month is reasonable for productivity
• Performance is a top priority

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Final Thoughts

Docker Desktop alternatives have matured significantly. You’re not sacrificing functionality by switching.

Your applications won’t know the difference—they run the same containers. Choose based on your platform, whether you need a GUI, and your budget.

Your Priority	Our Pick
Free + GUI + K8s	Rancher Desktop
Free + minimal + Mac	Colima
Best Mac experience	OrbStack
Linux native	Podman