Apptainer
6.7#4 in container enginesFree planFree planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
VisitApptainer vs Shifter
What both publish
| Fact | Apptainer | Shifter |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Apptainer creates and runs containers that package software for portability and reproducibility. | Shifter adapts Linux container concepts for extreme-scale high-performance computing and lets users run their own software environments at supercomputing facilities. |
| Security model | By default, users retain the same identity inside the container and cannot gain additional host privileges. | Shifter uses privileged operations to set up containers; its security documentation says processes launched in a container have privileges stripped and should not be able to re-escalate. |
| Support | Free support resources include Slack, a mailing list, and GitHub, while commercial support and services are offered through CIQ. | The project README directs users to its Google Groups email list for updates and community support. |
Apptainer plans
- ApptainerFree
Shifter plans
No prices published.
Pick Apptainer if…
It suits users running complex applications on shared HPC clusters, including researchers and teams in academia or industry. It also fits people who need portable containers and host resource access without default privilege escalation.
Pick Shifter if…
You want what its maker publishes above — check its page for the details.