OrbStack
Docker without the lag
freemiumDevelopment Editor's pick
OrbStack is the Docker Desktop replacement people dreamed of: containers start instantly, the file system doesn't crawl, and battery stops melting. Lightweight Linux machines come as a bonus. Free for personal use; companies need a subscription.
// Install
Your MacHomebrew in /opt/homebrew
brew install --cask orbstack// What it is for
- Containers and Linux machines start in seconds and do not spin up the fans
- Memory and battery use are markedly lower than Docker Desktop — decisive on a laptop
- Compatible with the docker and docker compose commands, so no habits need changing
- Full Linux machines alongside containers, sharing files with macOS
// Common questions
Do I have to rewrite my compose files?
No. OrbStack exposes the same docker socket and the same CLI, so existing projects run unchanged.
Is OrbStack free?
For personal use, yes. Commercial use needs a paid licence — worth checking before rolling it out to a team.
