Docker containers that feel native
Run docker and docker compose exactly as before. OrbStack ships an unmodified Docker engine, so your CLI, Compose files and VS Code Dev Containers keep working.
Free for personal use · v2.2.3
OrbStack for MacThe Light Docker Alternative
Run Docker containers, Kubernetes and full Linux machines on your Mac. OrbStack starts in seconds, sips battery and keeps every Docker command you already know.
$0
Price for personal use
9.3k
GitHub stars
178k
Homebrew installs in 12 months
14+
Minimum macOS (Sonoma)
// features
Everything Docker Desktop does, minus the weight
OrbStack is the Docker alternative Mac developers reach for when the old setup drains the battery and spins the fans. One native app handles containers, Kubernetes and Linux machines with almost no setup.
Full Linux machines
Spin up Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch or NixOS with one click. Think of it as WSL for your Mac, with file sharing and SSH ready on first boot.
orb.local domains with HTTPS
Every container gets an address like web.orb.local plus a trusted certificate. You stop juggling port numbers and clicking past browser warnings.
Kubernetes with one switch
Flip a toggle to start a light local cluster. Reach pods, services and ingress straight from macOS, and keep your laptop cool while it runs.
Menu bar app and container IDE
Start or stop containers from the menu bar in two clicks. The main window adds a Ghostty terminal, a log viewer, a file browser and live activity graphs.
Safe by design
Isolated machines sandbox untrusted code or AI agents away from your Mac files. Admin access stays optional, and memory returns to macOS once containers go idle.
Terminal installation
Advanced users can install OrbStack on Mac with a single Homebrew command.
$brew install --cask orbstack
How to open Terminal on Mac
- 1Press ⌘ + Space to bring up Spotlight.
- 2Type Terminal into the search field.
- 3Hit Return and a Terminal window opens.
Installation via Terminal command
- 1Click Copy above to grab the Homebrew command.
- 2Paste it into Terminal with ⌘ + V.
- 3Press Return. OrbStack lands in Applications, then open it once to finish setup.
No Homebrew? Install it from brew.sh, or grab the DMG for Apple Silicon or Intel.
Download DMG
// how it works
From Docker Desktop to OrbStack in three steps
No new commands to learn. Your projects stay where they are.
01
Open OrbStack and migrate
Launch the app. OrbStack offers to copy your Docker Desktop containers, images and volumes, and it keeps the originals untouched.
02
Run what you already run
Type docker compose up in any project folder. Existing Compose files and scripts work with zero edits.
03
Open services by name
Visit https://web.orb.local in your browser. Need a full distro? Run orb create ubuntu and you get a Linux shell.
// compare
OrbStack vs Docker Desktop on Mac
Both run the same Docker engine. The difference shows up in your browser bar, your battery and your Linux options.
Containers get real addresses
Start any container and OrbStack names it for you. Compose services follow the pattern service.project.orb.local.
$ docker run -d --name web nginx
# no -p flag needed
✓ https://web.orb.local
$ docker compose up -d
✓ https://api.shop.orb.local
$ docker context use desktop-linux
# switch back any time
| Feature | OrbStack | Docker Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic container domains | *.orb.local | Port mapping |
| Trusted local HTTPS | Built in | Manual setup |
| Full Linux distros | Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch | Containers only |
| Local Kubernetes | Yes | Yes |
| App framework | Native Swift | Electron |
| Data migration | One click | n/a |
| Personal use price | $0 | $0 |
// reviews
What Mac developers say about OrbStack
Rated 4.8 out of 5 by people who switched their daily Docker setup.
Switched from Docker Desktop on a Friday and never looked back. OrbStack copied every container and volume over, and my MacBook fan finally went quiet.
Hamza R.
The orb.local domains changed how I work. I open https://api.myapp.orb.local and it just loads, with a real certificate. No more guessing which port I mapped.
Elena V.
Best Docker alternative I have tried on an M-series Mac. Compose stacks start faster and the menu bar app lets me stop everything before a long flight.
Marcus T.
I needed a Fedora box for a client project. One command and I had a full Linux machine with my Mac files mounted. Feels like WSL done right.
Priya S.
Wish there was an OrbStack Windows build for my work PC. On my Mac though, it is the fastest container setup I have used.
Jonas K.
Local Kubernetes used to drain my battery in two hours. With OrbStack the cluster sits in the background and I barely notice it.
Chloe B.
A teammate kept saying "orb stack" in standups so I finally tried it. Ten minutes later my whole Postgres and Redis setup ran on it without a single change.
Daniel O.
I run AI coding agents inside isolated machines now. They get a full Linux box and zero access to my home folder. That alone sold me on OrbStack for Mac.
Sara M.
Browsing volume files in Finder feels like cheating. I edit configs inside a running container from VS Code on the Mac side and the change shows up instantly.
Tom W.
// faq
OrbStack questions, answered
Is OrbStack free?
Yes, for personal use. Freelance, business and commercial work needs a Pro license at $8 per user per month, and that includes non-profits.
Students and non-commercial open source projects can request a free license. Teams get a 30-day grace period to buy.
Is there an OrbStack Windows version?
No. OrbStack runs on macOS only, and the developers have said they have no plans for a Windows release. On a Windows PC, Docker Desktop with WSL 2 remains the closest option.
Which Macs can run OrbStack?
OrbStack for Mac needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later, including Sequoia and Tahoe. It ships separate builds for Apple Silicon and Intel, so pick the one that matches your chip on the download page.
Is OrbStack a good Docker alternative?
It works as a drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop and Colima. The engine underneath is stock Docker, so your CLI, Compose files and third-party tools behave the same.
Want both side by side? Switch with docker context use orbstack or docker context use desktop-linux.
Is OrbStack open source?
No. The app itself is closed source, though some components live on GitHub. The main orbstack/orbstack repository handles bug reports, feature requests and community discussion.
How do I install OrbStack via Terminal?
Run brew install --cask orbstack with Homebrew. Open the app once afterwards so it can finish setup and install the docker and orb command-line tools.
Why does OrbStack show an 8 TB data file?
That data.img file is a sparse disk image. It only takes the space your containers actually use and shrinks when you delete data. Check "size on disk" in Finder to see the real number.
How do I uninstall orb stack completely?
Drag OrbStack from Applications to the Trash. Then delete ~/.orbstack and ~/Library/Group Containers/HUAQ24HBR6.dev.orbstack to clear all data. Heading back to Docker Desktop? Run docker context use desktop-linux.
Run Docker on your Mac the light way
Download OrbStack, open it once and your containers move over on their own. Personal use costs nothing.