Docker Desktop Alternatives 2025: Podman, OrbStack, Colima & More

Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Reclaim 4GB of RAM

Three months. That’s how long I watched my MacBook’s fans spin like a jet engine every time Docker Desktop decided to do… whatever it does in the background. The final straw? Opening Activity Monitor to see Docker consuming 6GB of RAM to run a single PostgreSQL container.

You’ve been there, right? That moment when you realize you’re paying the Docker Desktop tax in CPU cycles, battery life, and on enterprise machines, actual dollars. But here’s the thing: Docker Desktop isn’t Docker. The container technology is open-source and free. The desktop wrapper? That’s optional.

What if I told you there are alternatives that start containers in milliseconds instead of seconds, run rootless for better security, and won’t make your laptop sound like it’s attempting liftoff?

Let’s explore the Docker Desktop alternatives that actually matter in 2025.

The Docker Desktop Problem (Let’s Be Honest)

Before we dive into solutions, let’s talk about why you’re here.

The Licensing Issue: If your company has more than 250 employees or makes over $10 million annually, Docker Desktop requires a paid license. It’s not expensive ($7-21/month per user), but it’s another line item to justify to finance.

The Resource Hunger: Docker Desktop on macOS runs a Linux VM under the hood. That VM wants RAM. Lots of RAM. And it’s not shy about keeping your CPU busy even when you’re not actively using containers.

The Complexity: Docker Desktop bundles Docker Engine, Kubernetes, a GUI, credential helpers, and about a dozen other things you might not need. It’s the Swiss Army knife when you just wanted a blade.

But here’s what really matters: you have choices. Better choices, in many cases.

The Contenders: What We’re Comparing

Here’s the lineup of Docker Desktop alternatives we’ll explore:

Tool	Platform	GUI	K8s	License	Best For
Podman + Podman Desktop	All	Yes	No	Free (Apache 2.0)	Security-focused teams
OrbStack	macOS	Yes	Yes	Freemium	Mac developers
Colima	Mac/Linux	No	Yes	Free (MIT)	CLI enthusiasts
Rancher Desktop	All	Yes	Yes	Free (Apache 2.0)	K8s development
containerd + nerdctl	Linux	No	No	Free (Apache 2.0)	Advanced users

Each has its sweet spot. Let’s break them down.

Podman: The Security-First Choice

Podman (Pod Manager) is Red Hat’s answer to Docker, and it’s genuinely excellent. If you’ve been burned by Docker’s daemon architecture or need rootless containers for compliance, Podman is your answer.

Why Podman Stands Out

Daemonless Architecture: Unlike Docker, which runs a privileged daemon that manages all containers, Podman launches containers directly. No always-on background service consuming resources. No single point of failure.

Docker CLI Compatibility: Remember all those Docker commands you’ve memorized? They work with Podman:

# If this is muscle memory...
docker run -d -p 8080:80 nginx

# This works identically
podman run -d -p 8080:80 nginx

# Or just alias it
alias docker=podman

Rootless by Default: Containers run as your user, not as root. This means:

No privilege escalation vulnerabilities
Better multi-tenant security
Compliance teams actually smile at you

Getting Started with Podman

On macOS:

# Install Podman
brew install podman

# Initialize the Podman machine (one-time setup)
podman machine init

# Start it
podman machine start

# Verify it's working
podman run hello-world

On Linux (it’s even simpler):

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get install podman

# Fedora/RHEL (it's already there!)
sudo dnf install podman

# That's it. No machine needed on Linux.
podman run hello-world

Podman Desktop: The GUI You Actually Want

Podman Desktop provides a Docker Desktop-like experience without the bloat:

# Install on macOS
brew install podman-desktop

# Or download from podman-desktop.io

The UI gives you:

Container management with logs and shell access
Image browsing and pulling
Volume and network management
Extension support for Kubernetes and more

Real-World Usage:

# Run a development database
podman run -d \
  --name dev-postgres \
  -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=secret \
  -p 5432:5432 \
  -v pgdata:/var/lib/postgresql/data \
  postgres:16

# Check it's running
podman ps

# View logs
podman logs -f dev-postgres

# Connect from your app
psql -h localhost -U postgres

The Podman Gotchas

Docker Compose Compatibility: You have two options:

# Option 1: Use podman-compose (separate tool)
pip install podman-compose
podman-compose up

# Option 2: Use Podman's built-in compose support (newer)
podman compose up

The built-in podman compose uses the same docker-compose.yml format and works for 95% of projects.

Networking Differences: Podman’s networking is slightly different:

# Docker networking
docker network create mynet
docker run --network mynet myapp

# Podman has pods (like Kubernetes)
podman pod create --name mypod -p 8080:80
podman run --pod mypod nginx
podman run --pod mypod myapp

Pods are brilliant for multi-container applications. All containers in a pod share networking, so they can talk via localhost.

The Windows Experience: Podman on Windows uses WSL2, like Docker Desktop. However, the integration isn’t quite as polished. If you’re on Windows and need seamless integration, Rancher Desktop might be smoother.

When to Choose Podman

Choose Podman if you:

✅ Need rootless containers for security/compliance
✅ Want true Docker CLI compatibility
✅ Prefer daemonless architecture
✅ Run Linux (it’s native and blazingly fast)
✅ Have licensing concerns with Docker Desktop

Skip Podman if you:

❌ Need Windows-first experience
❌ Require extensive Docker Compose features (though this gap is closing)

OrbStack: The Mac Developer’s Dream

If you’re on macOS and haven’t tried OrbStack, you’re missing out. This is the alternative that made me completely abandon Docker Desktop.

What Makes OrbStack Special

Speed: OrbStack starts containers in milliseconds. Not seconds. Milliseconds. The first time I ran orb run nginx and it was ready before I could type the next command, I actually laughed.

Resource Efficiency: Remember those 6GB Docker Desktop was using? OrbStack typically uses under 1GB for the same workload. Your battery life will thank you.

Native macOS Integration:

# Access containers via .local domains
orb run -p 8080:80 nginx
# Immediately available at http://nginx.local

# Access Linux files from macOS
open ~/.orbstack/volumes/mydata

Getting Started with OrbStack

# Install via Homebrew
brew install orbstack

# Or download from orbstack.dev

On first launch, OrbStack takes about 10 seconds to set up. Then it just works.

Run your first container:

# The command syntax is familiar
orb run -d -p 3000:3000 --name myapp node:20

# Or use the Docker CLI (OrbStack provides docker command)
docker run -d -p 5432:5432 postgres:16

# Access it instantly at myapp.local:3000

The OrbStack Developer Experience

OrbStack includes features that make development delightful:

Shell Access to Containers:

# Jump into a container
orb shell myapp

# Or use the GUI (Command+K to search containers)

Kubernetes Support (k3s):

# Enable Kubernetes in settings
# Then use kubectl immediately
kubectl get nodes

Linux Machine Management:

# Create a full Linux VM
orb create ubuntu myvm

# SSH into it
orb ssh myvm

# Share files between macOS and Linux
# Anything in /Volumes/OrbStack is shared

The OrbStack Catch

macOS Only: This is the big one. OrbStack is macOS-exclusive. If you need cross-platform support for your team, look elsewhere.

Freemium Model: OrbStack is free for personal use, but commercial use requires a license ($8/month, or $96/year). Compared to Docker Desktop’s pricing, that’s reasonable, but it’s not free-free.

Newer Ecosystem: OrbStack is younger than Podman or Docker. While it’s incredibly stable, you might encounter edge cases that the community hasn’t documented yet.

When to Choose OrbStack

Choose OrbStack if you:

✅ Develop primarily on macOS
✅ Want the absolute fastest container startup
✅ Value resource efficiency
✅ Like polished, native UIs
✅ Need local Kubernetes occasionally

Skip OrbStack if you:

❌ Work on Linux or Windows
❌ Need 100% free-as-in-beer
❌ Prefer open-source everything

Colima: The Minimalist’s Choice

Colima (Container on Lima) is for developers who live in the terminal and want zero fluff.

The Colima Philosophy

Colima does one thing: it runs a Lima VM with container runtimes. No GUI. No bundled extras. Just containers.

Why This Matters: On my M1 MacBook, Colima uses about 400MB of RAM idle. Compare that to Docker Desktop’s 2GB+ baseline.

Getting Started with Colima

# Install on macOS
brew install colima

# Or on Linux (yes, it works on Linux too)
# Though on Linux, just use Podman or Docker directly

# Start Colima with Docker runtime
colima start

# That's it. Now docker commands work:
docker run hello-world

Configuring Colima for Your Needs

Colima is highly configurable:

# Start with custom resources
colima start \
  --cpu 4 \
  --memory 8 \
  --disk 100

# Use Podman instead of Docker
colima start --runtime podman

# Enable Kubernetes
colima start --kubernetes

# Use a specific VM type
colima start --vm-type vz --arch aarch64

My Preferred Setup:

# ~/.colima/default/colima.yaml
cpu: 4
memory: 8
disk: 60
runtime: docker
kubernetes:
  enabled: true
  version: v1.28.3+k3s1
vmType: vz  # VZ is faster on Apple Silicon

Real-World Colima Usage

Development Database:

# Start Colima
colima start

# Run PostgreSQL
docker run -d \
  --name postgres \
  -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=devpass \
  -p 5432:5432 \
  -v ~/pgdata:/var/lib/postgresql/data \
  postgres:16

# Connect from your app
# Just use localhost:5432

Docker Compose Projects:

# Your docker-compose.yml works as-is
docker compose up -d

# Colima just provides the Docker socket
# Everything else is standard Docker

The Colima Limitations

No GUI: If you want to browse containers, images, and volumes visually, Colima isn’t for you. It’s CLI-only. (Though you could use Portainer or Lazydocker for a TUI.)

macOS/Linux Only: Windows isn’t supported. Windows users should look at Podman or Rancher Desktop.

Manual Management: Colima doesn’t auto-start on login. You need to colima start manually (or add it to your shell profile).

When to Choose Colima

Choose Colima if you:

✅ Live in the terminal
✅ Want minimal resource usage
✅ Prefer simple, focused tools
✅ Don’t need a GUI
✅ Want easy switching between Docker and Podman runtimes

Skip Colima if you:

❌ Prefer graphical interfaces
❌ Need Windows support
❌ Want auto-start and system integration

Rancher Desktop: The Kubernetes Developer’s Pick

Rancher Desktop is SUSE’s cross-platform container management tool, built specifically for developers who need local Kubernetes.

Why Rancher Desktop Exists

Docker Desktop bundles Kubernetes, but it’s… not great. Rancher Desktop makes Kubernetes a first-class citizen, with k3s (Lightweight Kubernetes) that actually works well locally.

Getting Started with Rancher Desktop

Installation:

# macOS
brew install rancher-desktop

# Windows
winget install rancher-desktop

# Linux
# Download from rancherdesktop.io

First Launch Setup:

Choose your container runtime:
- containerd + nerdctl: More Kubernetes-native
- dockerd (moby): Better Docker Compose compatibility
Enable Kubernetes (or don’t, if you just want containers)
Configure resources (CPU, memory, disk)

Using Rancher Desktop

With Docker (dockerd runtime):

# Standard Docker commands work
docker run -d -p 8080:80 nginx

docker compose up

With containerd (nerdctl runtime):

# nerdctl is Docker-compatible
nerdctl run -d -p 8080:80 nginx

# Compose support too
nerdctl compose up

Kubernetes Development:

# Check cluster status
kubectl get nodes

# Deploy an app
kubectl create deployment nginx --image=nginx
kubectl expose deployment nginx --port=80 --type=LoadBalancer

# Get the LoadBalancer IP
kubectl get svc nginx

The Rancher Desktop GUI

The UI provides:

Container management (like Docker Desktop)
Image scanning for vulnerabilities
Port forwarding visualization
Extension support (Helm, Epinio, etc.)

The Rancher Desktop Gotchas

Heavier Than Single-Purpose Tools: Rancher Desktop bundles a lot. It’s not as lightweight as Colima or as fast as OrbStack. If you don’t need Kubernetes, you’re carrying unnecessary weight.

Learning Curve for nerdctl: If you choose containerd, you’ll use nerdctl instead of docker. While they’re similar, there are differences in networking and volume handling.

Windows/WSL2 Quirks: On Windows, Rancher Desktop uses WSL2. File sharing between Windows and WSL2 can be slow for large projects.

When to Choose Rancher Desktop

Choose Rancher Desktop if you:

✅ Need local Kubernetes regularly
✅ Want cross-platform support (Windows/Mac/Linux)
✅ Develop microservices or k8s-native apps
✅ Want image scanning and security features
✅ Prefer an all-in-one solution

Skip Rancher Desktop if you:

❌ Don’t use Kubernetes
❌ Want the lightest possible tool
❌ Prefer specialized tools over bundled suites

containerd + nerdctl: The Purist’s Approach

For the developers who want to run containers without any abstractions, there’s containerd with nerdctl.

What Is containerd?

containerd is the industry-standard container runtime. It’s what Docker and Kubernetes use under the hood. Running it directly eliminates all the middleware.

Why This Matters:

Faster container lifecycle (no daemon overhead)
Lower memory usage
What runs in production (k8s) runs the same locally
Fine-grained control over container behavior

Getting Started (Linux)

# Install containerd
sudo apt-get install containerd

# Install nerdctl (Docker-compatible CLI)
# Download from github.com/containerd/nerdctl/releases
wget https://github.com/containerd/nerdctl/releases/download/v1.7.3/nerdctl-1.7.3-linux-amd64.tar.gz
sudo tar Cxzvvf /usr/local/bin nerdctl-1.7.3-linux-amd64.tar.gz

# Verify
nerdctl version

Using nerdctl

The syntax is intentionally Docker-compatible:

# Run a container
nerdctl run -d -p 8080:80 nginx

# List containers
nerdctl ps

# Execute in container
nerdctl exec -it <container> bash

# Compose support
nerdctl compose up

Namespaces: containerd uses namespaces to isolate containers:

# Default namespace
nerdctl run nginx

# Kubernetes namespace (see k8s containers)
nerdctl --namespace k8s.io ps

# Create custom namespace
nerdctl --namespace myproject run nginx

Advanced Features

Image Encryption:

# Encrypt an image
nerdctl image encrypt --recipient=jwe:mypubkey.pem myimage:latest myimage:encrypted

# Run encrypted image (with private key)
nerdctl run --rm myimage:encrypted

Lazy Pulling (Stargz):

# Convert to seekable format
nerdctl image convert --estargz myimage:latest myimage:esgz

# Pull only needed layers
nerdctl run myimage:esgz
# Starts before full image download completes!

The containerd/nerdctl Trade-offs

Linux Only (Realistically): While containerd runs on Windows, the developer experience is rough. This is really a Linux-first solution.

Steeper Learning Curve: You’re closer to the metal. That means more power, but also more to understand (namespaces, CNI plugins, snapshotters, etc.).

Less Tooling: The ecosystem around containerd is smaller than Docker’s. Fewer GUIs, fewer tutorials, more manual configuration.

When to Choose containerd + nerdctl

Choose containerd + nerdctl if you:

✅ Run Linux as your primary OS
✅ Want the absolute closest-to-production experience
✅ Need advanced features (encryption, lazy pulling)
✅ Prefer understanding every layer of the stack
✅ Already comfortable with low-level container concepts

Skip containerd + nerdctl if you:

❌ Use macOS or Windows primarily
❌ Want plug-and-play simplicity
❌ Prefer comprehensive GUIs
❌ Need extensive community tutorials

Migration: Moving Away from Docker Desktop

You’ve picked your alternative. Now what? Here’s how to actually migrate.

Step 1: Audit Your Docker Usage

Before switching, understand what you’re using:

# What containers are you running?
docker ps -a

# What images do you have?
docker images

# What volumes exist?
docker volume ls

# What networks?
docker network ls

Export your data:

# Save volumes
docker run --rm -v myvolume:/data -v $(pwd):/backup \
  alpine tar czf /backup/myvolume.tar.gz -C /data .

# Export images
docker save myimage:latest | gzip > myimage.tar.gz

Step 2: Install Your Chosen Alternative

Pick one from above and install it. Let’s say you chose Podman:

# Install Podman
brew install podman podman-desktop

# Initialize
podman machine init --cpus 4 --memory 8192 --disk-size 60

# Start it
podman machine start

Step 3: Migrate Docker Compose Files

Most alternatives support docker-compose.yml directly:

With Podman:

# Option 1: Use podman compose (built-in, newer)
podman compose up

# Option 2: Use podman-compose (more mature)
pip install podman-compose
podman-compose up

With Colima:

# Just use docker compose (Colima provides Docker socket)
docker compose up

With Rancher Desktop:

# If using dockerd runtime
docker compose up

# If using containerd runtime
nerdctl compose up

Step 4: Handle the Docker Socket

Many tools expect a Docker socket at /var/run/docker.sock.

Podman:

# Create socket compatibility
podman system service --time=0 unix:///var/run/docker.sock

# Or set DOCKER_HOST
export DOCKER_HOST=unix://$HOME/.local/share/containers/podman/machine/podman-machine-default/podman.sock

Colima/OrbStack:

They create the socket automatically. Tools just work.

Step 5: Update Your Aliases and Scripts

In your ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc:

# If using Podman
alias docker=podman
alias docker-compose='podman compose'

# If using nerdctl
alias docker=nerdctl
alias docker-compose='nerdctl compose'

Update CI/CD Scripts:

# Old Docker Desktop approach
#!/bin/bash
docker build -t myapp .
docker push myapp

# Make it runtime-agnostic
#!/bin/bash
CONTAINER_CLI=${CONTAINER_CLI:-docker}
$CONTAINER_CLI build -t myapp .
$CONTAINER_CLI push myapp

Step 6: Test Everything

Before uninstalling Docker Desktop:

# Test basic operations
podman run hello-world

# Test your compose projects
cd ~/projects/myapp
podman compose up -d
podman compose logs

# Test volume mounts
podman run -v $(pwd):/data alpine ls /data

# Test networking
podman run -d -p 8080:80 nginx
curl http://localhost:8080

Step 7: Uninstall Docker Desktop

Once you’re confident:

# macOS
# Drag Docker.app to Trash
# Then clean up
rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.docker
rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.*
rm -rf ~/.docker

Don’t rush this step. Run both side-by-side for a week to catch edge cases.

The Comparison Matrix: Which One for You?

Let’s cut through the noise with a decision matrix based on real priorities.

Choose Podman If…

Your Priority: Security, compliance, enterprise-friendly, Linux-native

# Your workflow
podman run --userns=keep-id  # Rootless
podman generate systemd mycontainer > /etc/systemd/system/mycontainer.service
systemctl enable mycontainer

Best For:

Security-conscious organizations
Teams transitioning from RHEL/CentOS environments
Developers who need rootless containers
Anyone needing 100% FOSS solutions

Resource Usage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Light, especially on Linux) Learning Curve: ⭐⭐⭐ (Easy if you know Docker) Maturity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Battle-tested)

Choose OrbStack If…

Your Priority: Speed, macOS integration, developer experience

# Your workflow
orb run -p 3000:3000 myapp
open http://myapp.local
orb shell myapp

Best For:

Mac-exclusive development teams
Frontend developers who start/stop containers constantly
Battery life enthusiasts
Anyone who values polish and UX

Resource Usage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Incredibly light) Learning Curve: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Zero, it’s just Docker) Maturity: ⭐⭐⭐ (Newer, but stable)

Choose Colima If…

Your Priority: Minimalism, flexibility, CLI-first workflow

# Your workflow
colima start --runtime podman
docker run myapp  # Actually using Podman under the hood
colima stop  # Done for the day

Best For:

Terminal enthusiasts
Resource-constrained machines
Developers who switch between runtimes
Anyone who hates unnecessary UI

Resource Usage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Extremely light) Learning Curve: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Easy, minimal concepts) Maturity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Stable, focused)

Choose Rancher Desktop If…

Your Priority: Kubernetes, cross-platform, enterprise support

# Your workflow
kubectl create deployment myapp --image=myapp:latest
kubectl port-forward deployment/myapp 8080:8080
rdctl list-settings  # Rancher Desktop CLI

Best For:

Microservices developers
Teams with mixed OS environments
Kubernetes-native development
Organizations already using SUSE/Rancher

Resource Usage: ⭐⭐⭐ (Heavier, includes k8s) Learning Curve: ⭐⭐⭐ (More concepts to learn) Maturity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Well-supported)

Choose containerd + nerdctl If…

Your Priority: Production parity, advanced features, control

# Your workflow
nerdctl run --snapshotter=stargz myapp  # Lazy pulling
nerdctl image encrypt --recipient=jwe:key myimage
nerdctl --namespace k8s.io ps  # See k8s containers

Best For:

Platform engineers
Performance optimization scenarios
Research and experimentation
Linux power users

Resource Usage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Minimal) Learning Curve: ⭐⭐ (Steep, low-level) Maturity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Industry standard runtime)

My Personal Recommendation

After months of daily use across different projects, here’s what I run:

On macOS (my daily driver): OrbStack

The speed is addictive. Instant container starts, minimal battery impact, and the .local domain integration makes local development seamless. For the $96/year license, it’s paid for itself in saved time and frustration.

# My actual workflow
orb run -p 5432:5432 -v pgdata:/var/lib/postgresql/data postgres:16
orb run -p 6379:6379 redis:7
orb run -p 3000:3000 -v $(pwd):/app node:20

Everything starts in under 2 seconds combined. It’s magic.

On Linux servers: Podman

For production-like environments, Podman’s rootless mode and systemd integration are unbeatable. Running containers as services is trivial:

# Generate systemd unit
podman generate systemd --new --name myapp > ~/.config/systemd/user/myapp.service
systemctl --user enable myapp

No daemon, no root, just containers that act like proper system services.

For CI/CD: Docker (the engine, not Desktop)

In CI environments, the actual Docker engine is still the standard. But you’re not running Docker Desktop there anyway.

The Future: Where Container Tools Are Heading

The container landscape is evolving fast. Here’s what to watch:

WebAssembly Containers: Tools like wasmtime and runwasi are enabling Wasm containers alongside Linux containers. Expect nerdctl and Podman to support this natively.

Rootless by Default: Security is pushing the industry toward rootless. Podman leads here, but Docker is adding rootless support too.

Kubernetes Everywhere: With k3s and k0s, local Kubernetes is becoming standard. Every tool now bundles k8s support.

Native Performance: Apple’s Virtualization framework (VZ) and Linux’s KVM are replacing older VM tech. Expect faster, lighter container VMs.

Wrapping Up: Your Next Steps

The Docker Desktop monopoly is over. You have real alternatives now, each excellent in different ways.

Here’s what to do today:

If you’re on macOS: Download OrbStack. Try it for a week. You’ll probably stay.
If you’re on Linux: Install Podman. Alias docker=podman. You’re done.
If you need Kubernetes: Get Rancher Desktop. It’s the most complete k8s experience.
If you love the terminal: Give Colima a spin. It’s refreshingly simple.
If you want to go deep: Explore containerd + nerdctl. It’s the future.

The best part? Switching back is easy if you don’t like it. These tools coexist peacefully. You can run OrbStack for development and Podman for testing, using the same docker-compose.yml files.

Three months after ditching Docker Desktop, my laptop runs cooler, lasts longer on battery, and containers start instantly. The Docker Desktop tax is optional. You just have to know you have choices.

What’s your Docker Desktop pain point? Resource usage? Licensing? Or just curiosity about alternatives? Try one of these tools and let me know how it goes.

Now go reclaim those 4GB of RAM. Your laptop will thank you.

Further Reading:

Docker Desktop Alternatives 2025: Podman, OrbStack, Colima & More #

The Docker Desktop Problem (Let’s Be Honest) #

The Contenders: What We’re Comparing #

Podman: The Security-First Choice #

Why Podman Stands Out #

Getting Started with Podman #

Podman Desktop: The GUI You Actually Want #

The Podman Gotchas #

When to Choose Podman #

OrbStack: The Mac Developer’s Dream #

What Makes OrbStack Special #

Getting Started with OrbStack #

The OrbStack Developer Experience #

The OrbStack Catch #

When to Choose OrbStack #

Colima: The Minimalist’s Choice #

The Colima Philosophy #

Getting Started with Colima #

Configuring Colima for Your Needs #

Real-World Colima Usage #

The Colima Limitations #

When to Choose Colima #

Rancher Desktop: The Kubernetes Developer’s Pick #

Why Rancher Desktop Exists #

Getting Started with Rancher Desktop #

Using Rancher Desktop #

The Rancher Desktop GUI #

The Rancher Desktop Gotchas #

When to Choose Rancher Desktop #

containerd + nerdctl: The Purist’s Approach #

What Is containerd? #

Getting Started (Linux) #

Using nerdctl #

Advanced Features #

The containerd/nerdctl Trade-offs #

When to Choose containerd + nerdctl #

Migration: Moving Away from Docker Desktop #

Step 1: Audit Your Docker Usage #

Step 2: Install Your Chosen Alternative #

Step 3: Migrate Docker Compose Files #

Step 4: Handle the Docker Socket #

Step 5: Update Your Aliases and Scripts #

Step 6: Test Everything #

Step 7: Uninstall Docker Desktop #

The Comparison Matrix: Which One for You? #

Choose Podman If… #

Choose OrbStack If… #

Choose Colima If… #

Choose Rancher Desktop If… #

Choose containerd + nerdctl If… #

My Personal Recommendation #

The Future: Where Container Tools Are Heading #

Wrapping Up: Your Next Steps #

Docker Desktop Alternatives 2025: Podman, OrbStack, Colima & More

The Docker Desktop Problem (Let’s Be Honest)

The Contenders: What We’re Comparing

Podman: The Security-First Choice

Why Podman Stands Out

Getting Started with Podman

Podman Desktop: The GUI You Actually Want

The Podman Gotchas

When to Choose Podman

OrbStack: The Mac Developer’s Dream

What Makes OrbStack Special

Getting Started with OrbStack

The OrbStack Developer Experience

The OrbStack Catch

When to Choose OrbStack

Colima: The Minimalist’s Choice

The Colima Philosophy

Getting Started with Colima

Configuring Colima for Your Needs

Real-World Colima Usage

The Colima Limitations

When to Choose Colima

Rancher Desktop: The Kubernetes Developer’s Pick

Why Rancher Desktop Exists

Getting Started with Rancher Desktop

Using Rancher Desktop

The Rancher Desktop GUI

The Rancher Desktop Gotchas

When to Choose Rancher Desktop

containerd + nerdctl: The Purist’s Approach

What Is containerd?

Getting Started (Linux)

Using nerdctl

Advanced Features

The containerd/nerdctl Trade-offs

When to Choose containerd + nerdctl

Migration: Moving Away from Docker Desktop

Step 1: Audit Your Docker Usage

Step 2: Install Your Chosen Alternative

Step 3: Migrate Docker Compose Files

Step 4: Handle the Docker Socket

Step 5: Update Your Aliases and Scripts

Step 6: Test Everything

Step 7: Uninstall Docker Desktop

The Comparison Matrix: Which One for You?

Choose Podman If…

Choose OrbStack If…

Choose Colima If…

Choose Rancher Desktop If…

Choose containerd + nerdctl If…

My Personal Recommendation

The Future: Where Container Tools Are Heading

Wrapping Up: Your Next Steps