OrbStack vs Orca Desktop
OrbStack
orbstack.dev
Orca Desktop
orca-desktop.comSide by side
| Figure | OrbStack | Orca Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Container Development Environments | 8.6 (#6) | 7.6 (#29) |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says the app may send usage and device data, and optional anonymous crash reports and diagnostics when submitted. | The maker states that Orca has no analytics, crash reporting, accounts, or cloud service, and that its daemon binds to localhost. |
| Security | For its paid subscription service, Orbital Labs describes access controls, multi-factor authentication, firewalls, monitoring, and encryption safeguards. | The maker describes the project as MIT-licensed and auditable, with signed update manifests and Apple-notarized macOS and EV-signed Windows releases. |
Plans
In their own words
OrbStack
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.
Orca Desktop
Orca Desktop has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.