Kool vs OrbStack

Kool.dev Cloud is a platform-as-a-service for deploying containerized web applications, either on managed hosting or infrastructure a team provides. Deployments can start with a Git push, trigger automatic builds, create preview environments for pull requests, and avoid downtime. Kool supports Docker Compose compatibility and existing Compose setups. For bring-your-own-cloud deployments, it installs Kubernetes using k0s on a VPS with SSH access; named providers include DigitalOcean, Hetzner, AWS, Vultr, OVH, and Linode, and Kool says any VPS with SSH can be used. Managed database options include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB, and Elasticsearch. Monitoring includes Prometheus and one-click Grafana dashboards. Listed security features include automated hardening, network isolation, secrets management, SSH key authentication, cluster activity logs, and credentials encrypted at rest. Plans include BYOC Free, managed cloud plans from $5.00 per month, and BYOC Pro at $49.00 per month. The BYOC Free tier is limited to one cluster, one node, one environment, and one app; a valid credit card is required after seven days. Kool lists documentation, community Discord, and email support for all plans, with priority support for Pro and Team.

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.