OrbStack for MAC
Fast, light Docker containers and Linux machines on your Mac, a drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop. Free for personal use.
OrbStack Overview
OrbStack is a fast, light and simple way to run Docker containers and Linux machines on your Mac. It is a drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop: your docker and docker compose commands keep working, and on first start OrbStack offers to copy over your existing Docker Desktop containers, images and volumes. It starts in seconds, uses less than 0.1% background CPU on Apple Silicon and returns unused memory to macOS. Besides containers it runs full Linux machines from 16 distributions, and a lightweight Kubernetes cluster for local development. OrbStack is made by Orbital Labs.
OrbStack is free for personal, non-commercial use. Business and commercial use, including freelance work and non-profit organisations, needs a Pro license, which costs $8 per user per month. Free licenses can be requested for education and non-commercial open-source work. OrbStack needs macOS 14 or later, and there are separate downloads for Macs with Apple Silicon and with Intel.
Key Features
OrbStack makes containers and Linux feel native on a Mac.
- Docker containers: fast networking and file sharing, with Compose and Buildx included.
- Linux machines: run Ubuntu, Alpine, Fedora and 13 other distros, with VS Code and SSH support.
- Kubernetes: a light local cluster with network integration and context switching from the menu bar.
- Rosetta x86 emulation: run Intel containers and machines on Apple Silicon.
- Local domain names: reach containers by name, with automatic HTTPS.
- Light on resources: low CPU, dynamic memory and a dynamic disk.
- USB and sound: pass USB devices and audio through to Linux.
- Native Swift app: a menu bar app, Activity Monitor integration and a full command line.
What’s New in Version 2.2.4
OrbStack 2.2.4 adds new features, lower memory use and many fixes.
- Per-domain ports for containers (name@port)
- Switch Kubernetes contexts from the menu bar
- Lower memory usage, with more unused memory returned to macOS
- Highlighted JSON log lines and Compose logs filtered by service
- Updates: Linux 7.2, Kubernetes 1.36.5, Docker 29.8.2, Compose 5.5.0
- Important security fixes, and fixes for getting stuck at "Starting" on macOS 27
OrbStack FAQ
Is OrbStack free?
OrbStack is free for personal, non-commercial use. Business and commercial use, including freelancers and non-profits, needs a Pro license at $8 per user per month. Free licenses can be requested for education and non-commercial open-source work.
Can OrbStack replace Docker Desktop?
Yes. It is a drop-in replacement: the docker and docker compose commands keep working, and OrbStack offers to migrate your Docker Desktop containers, images and volumes.
Can I use OrbStack and Docker Desktop side by side?
Yes. Switch between them with Docker contexts: docker context use orbstack, or docker context use desktop-linux.
Which macOS version does OrbStack need?
OrbStack needs macOS 14 or later. Its developers say earlier versions had virtualization bugs that caused crashes and poor performance.
Does OrbStack work on Intel Macs?
Yes. There are separate downloads for Macs with Apple Silicon and with Intel. On Apple Silicon, Rosetta lets you run Intel containers and machines.
Which Linux distributions can OrbStack run?
OrbStack supports 16 distros, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch and Alpine. Create one in the app or with orb create ubuntu.
Does OrbStack support Kubernetes?
Yes. It runs a lightweight Kubernetes cluster for local development, with a GUI and network integration.
Is OrbStack open source?
No. OrbStack is closed-source, though some of its components are open source.
Can I install OrbStack with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install orbstack to install it as a Homebrew cask.
Where does the OrbStack download on orbstack.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official OrbStack website at https://orbstack.dev/. orbstack.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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