OrbStack
OrbStack is a macOS app for running Docker containers and Linux machines, presented as an alternative to Docker Desktop.
What OrbStack is
OrbStack is a macOS app for running Docker containers and Linux machines, presented as an alternative to Docker Desktop. It can also run a lightweight, single-node Kubernetes cluster for local development, with a graphical interface and network integration. OrbStack says it starts in two seconds and uses optimized networking, file systems, and x86 emulation. Docker CLI, Compose, Earthly, and VS Code Dev Containers work with it. Linux machines integrate with macOS networking and file sharing, and support SSH agent forwarding and remote VS Code. Personal, non-commercial use is free. Freelance, business, and commercial users need a license for each user; one license covers up to five devices owned or primarily operated by that user. OrbStack is free to try without a card, with a 30-day grace period to buy a license. Pro costs $8/user/mo, billed $96 billed annually. It requires macOS 14.0 or later; Linux graphical apps and GPU are listed as unsupported. Free includes community support, while Pro includes priority support.
Good
- Runs Docker containers and Linux machines
- Supports a lightweight, single-node Kubernetes cluster
- Works with Docker CLI, Compose, Earthly, and VS Code Dev Containers
- Free for personal, non-commercial use
Watch out
- Requires macOS 14.0 or later
- Linux graphical apps and GPU are unsupported
- Commercial use requires a paid license per user
Who it suits
OrbStack suits macOS users who want local containers, Linux machines, or a lightweight Kubernetes cluster for development. Personal users can use the free plan, while commercial users need a per-user license.
Verdict
OrbStack brings containers, Linux machines, and a local Kubernetes option to macOS, with integrations for common developer tools. Check the macOS requirement and unsupported items, and note that commercial use requires a license.
Plans and prices
From OrbStack's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Run containers · Run Linux machines · Community support · Personal, non-commercial use |
| Pro | $8 a month | Business and commercial use · Debug Shell · Priority support · Batch organization purchases · $96 billed annually |
| Enterprise | Priced on request | SAML SSO · Invoice and PO payments · Contact sales |
The facts
Each one read from OrbStack's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API and extensibility
- The product exposes Docker-compatible engine access plus orb/orbctl CLIs, Docker contexts and configuration commands; the documentation does not describe a separate public SDK.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Automatic domains
- Containers receive names such as container-name.orb.local, while Kubernetes and Linux machines also receive integrated local domains.checked 15 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The orb and orbctl command-line tools can create, manage and access machines, copy files, change settings and operate OrbStack without the GUI.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Debug Shell
- Debug Shell supplies a shell, editors, diagnostic utilities and access to more than 80,000 packages for minimal, distroless or read-only containers.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Developer integrations
- The maker says Docker CLI, Compose, Earthly, and VS Code Dev Containers work with OrbStack.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Docker compatibility
- OrbStack provides a Docker engine, Docker Compose and buildx, and is designed to work with existing Compose files and third-party tools such as Dev Containers.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Enterprise features
- The Enterprise plan lists SAML SSO and invoice and PO payments.checked 30 Sep 2026
- File access
- The application exposes container, image, volume and Linux-machine files through a macOS Finder-accessible OrbStack mount.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Founder
- Danny Lin identifies himself as OrbStack's founder.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Headless use
- OrbStack documents command-line and CI use without the graphical app, with Homebrew installation and manual Homebrew upgrades when the GUI is absent.checked 15 Oct 2026
- HTTPS security
- Locally generated HTTPS private keys are encrypted in the macOS keychain, temporarily decrypted only when needed and erased from memory shortly afterward.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The documented installation path is downloading and opening the app or installing it with brew install --cask orbstack.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Kubernetes
- It includes a lightweight Kubernetes cluster with integrated networking and graphical management for local development.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- Release v2.2.4 dated October 12, 2026 added per-domain container ports, Kubernetes context switching, USB device support, lower memory use and multiple security and reliability fixes.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- OrbStack is closed source, although some components are open source.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- Personal use is free, while freelance, business, and commercial users must purchase a license for each user.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Limit: feature breadth
- Thoughtworks noted that OrbStack was still under development and had fewer features than established alternatives in its 2023 assessment.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: migration complaints
- A Reddit user reported that Docker Desktop migration failed, broke the prior setup and left symlinks after uninstalling.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Networking
- Its custom network stack supports IPv6, ping, traceroute, VPN and DNS settings, host networking, port forwarding and direct container IP access.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Company
- The website identifies Orbital Labs, LLC as the company behind OrbStack.checked 30 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Device limit
- A per-user license covers up to five devices owned or primarily operated by that same user.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Limit: platform coverage
- Independent reviewers repeatedly identify macOS-only availability as a drawback for teams needing Windows or Linux parity.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Linux distributions
- OrbStack lists 16 supported Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Alpine, Kali and NixOS.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Linux integration
- Linux machines integrate with macOS networking and file sharing, and support SSH agent forwarding and remote VS Code.checked 30 Sep 2026
Alternatives to OrbStack
- 1
Docker Desktop
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LXD
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Incus
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Apptainer
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Rancher Desktop
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Colima
Free planLinuxmacOS6.5Free plan