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OrbStack

orbstack.dev

From $8/mo Free plan macOSAPI
Visit orbstack.dev
Spec score 8.6 #6 of 40 in Container Development Environments

What it is

OrbStack is a macOS app for running Docker containers and Linux machines. It can also run a lightweight, single-node Kubernetes cluster for local development, with a GUI and network integration. The maker 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 OrbStack. Linux machines integrate with macOS networking and file sharing, and support SSH agent forwarding and remote VS Code. OrbStack requires macOS 14.0 or later. Personal, non-commercial use is free; freelance, business, and commercial users need a license for each user, with up to five devices covered per user. Pro costs $8/user/mo, billed as $96 annually, and adds Debug Shell and priority support. Enterprise lists SAML SSO and invoice and PO payments, with no price listed. A trial is available without a card, and the FAQ gives users a 30-day grace period to purchase a license. Linux graphical apps and GPU are listed as unsupported.

Spec sheet

What it does
OrbStack runs Docker containers and Linux machines in a macOS application positioned as an alternative to Docker Desktop and WSL.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Product
OrbStack is an app for running Docker containers and Linux machines, positioned as an alternative to Docker Desktop.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Security
For its paid subscription service, Orbital Labs describes access controls, multi-factor authentication, firewalls, monitoring, and encryption safeguards.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Privacy
The privacy policy says the app may send usage and device data, and optional anonymous crash reports and diagnostics when submitted.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Support
Official support is offered through email, discussions, an issue tracker and a Discord community.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Company
The website identifies Orbital Labs, LLC as the company behind OrbStack.Read 30 Sep 2026 · orbstack.dev
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Automatic domains
Containers receive names such as container-name.orb.local, while Kubernetes and Linux machines also receive integrated local domains.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
CLI
The orb and orbctl command-line tools can create, manage and access machines, copy files, change settings and operate OrbStack without the GUI.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Developer integrations
The maker says Docker CLI, Compose, Earthly, and VS Code Dev Containers work with OrbStack.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Device limit
A per-user license covers up to five devices owned or primarily operated by that same user.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Enterprise features
The Enterprise plan lists SAML SSO and invoice and PO payments.Read 30 Sep 2026 · orbstack.dev
File access
The application exposes container, image, volume and Linux-machine files through a macOS Finder-accessible OrbStack mount.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Founder
Danny Lin identifies himself as OrbStack's founder.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kdrag0n.dev
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
HTTPS security
Locally generated HTTPS private keys are encrypted in the macOS keychain, temporarily decrypted only when needed and erased from memory shortly afterward.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Installation
The documented installation path is downloading and opening the app or installing it with brew install --cask orbstack.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Kubernetes
It includes a lightweight Kubernetes cluster with integrated networking and graphical management for local development.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Licence
OrbStack is closed source, although some components are open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Licensing
Personal use is free, while freelance, business, and commercial users must purchase a license for each user.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Limit: feature breadth
Thoughtworks noted that OrbStack was still under development and had fewer features than established alternatives in its 2023 assessment.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thoughtworks.com
Limit: migration complaints
A Reddit user reported that Docker Desktop migration failed, broke the prior setup and left symlinks after uninstalling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: platform coverage
Independent reviewers repeatedly identify macOS-only availability as a drawback for teams needing Windows or Linux parity.Read 15 Oct 2026 · news.ycombinator.com
Linux distributions
OrbStack lists 16 supported Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Alpine, Kali and NixOS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Linux integration
Linux machines integrate with macOS networking and file sharing, and support SSH agent forwarding and remote VS Code.Read 30 Sep 2026 · orbstack.dev
Networking
Its custom network stack supports IPv6, ping, traceroute, VPN and DNS settings, host networking, port forwarding and direct container IP access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Notable limitations
OrbStack requires macOS 14.0 or later, and its FAQ lists Linux graphical apps and GPU as unsupported items.Read 30 Sep 2026 · orbstack.dev
Performance
OrbStack says it starts in two seconds and uses optimized networking, file systems, and x86 emulation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Praise: macOS integration
A CodeWithKyrian review praised the lightweight feel, quick startup and integrated command-line workflow compared with Docker Desktop.Read 15 Oct 2026 · codewithkyrian.com
Praise: performance
Thoughtworks reported that its developers found OrbStack lighter, faster and simpler to set up than Docker Desktop and Colima.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thoughtworks.com
Praise: resource use
A Pickuma hands-on test reported lower idle memory, lower idle CPU, faster Compose builds and lower file-watch latency after moving an 18-container stack from Docker Desktop.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pickuma.com
Rating on AICoolies
92 out of 100 from the site's review score.Read 15 Oct 2026 · aicoolies.com
Rating on Doolpa
91 out of 100 from the site's review score.Read 15 Oct 2026 · doolpa.com
Rating on iTechGuides
8.1 out of 10 from the site's editorial score.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Security model
OrbStack protects internal services with a firewall, but says shared-kernel machines are not a substitute for a full VM against actively malicious code.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
Self-hosting
OrbStack is distributed as a macOS application and its documentation lists no self-hosted server deployment.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev
System requirement
The current Homebrew cask requires macOS 14 or newer and publishes separate Apple Silicon and Intel builds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · formulae.brew.sh
Trial and grace period
The pricing page says OrbStack is free to try with no card required, and the FAQ gives users a 30-day grace period to purchase a license.Read 30 Sep 2026 · orbstack.dev
x86 emulation
On Apple Silicon, OrbStack uses Rosetta for amd64 containers and machines, while older macOS versions use a slower fallback.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.orbstack.dev

Plans and prices

Free Free Personal, non-commercial use Run containers · Run Linux machines · Community support Read 15 Oct 2026 · orbstack.dev
Pro $8 a month $96 billed annually Business and commercial use · Debug Shell · Priority support · Batch organization purchases Read 15 Oct 2026 · orbstack.dev
Enterprise Priced on request Contact sales SAML SSO · Invoice and PO payments Read 15 Oct 2026 · orbstack.dev

Every OrbStack plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs containers, Linux machines, and local Kubernetes.
  • Works with Docker CLI, Compose, Earthly, and VS Code Dev Containers.
  • Linux machines support macOS file sharing and networking.
  • A license covers up to five devices per user.
  • Free for personal, non-commercial use.

Limits

  • Requires macOS 14.0 or later.
  • Linux graphical apps and GPU are unsupported.
  • Commercial use requires a paid license per user.
  • Pro is billed annually at $96.

Who it suits

OrbStack suits macOS users who need local containers, Linux machines, or a lightweight Kubernetes cluster. Its free plan is limited to personal, non-commercial use; commercial users need a per-user license.

Verdict

OrbStack combines container and Linux machine workflows with local Kubernetes on supported macOS versions. Check the licensing terms and unsupported GPU and graphical-app needs before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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