What is Docker Desktop?
Docker Desktop is a powerful application that can easily be installed on a Mac or Windows environment. It enables users to create and share ‘containerized’ applications and microservices. Docker Desktop allows users to choose their development tools and languages and provides them with an enormous library of images and templates.
Top Seven Alternatives to Docker Desktop
While Docker Desktop is the best tool out there, there are still quite a few excellent and free-of-charge substitutes.
Buildah
Linux is a popular operating system that is used on many devices. It is easy to use and has a lot of features.
Buildah is a tool that facilitates the building of Open Container Initiative (OCI) container images. ..
- Create a new project
- Add a dependency on another package
- Remove a dependency on another package
- Update a package
Creating a Working Container from Scratch:
To create a working container from scratch, use the docker-compose up command to build and launch the container. The docker-compose up command will create a new image of the Docker daemon and associated libraries. The image can be used to run any number of containers. To mount the root filesystem of a working container, use the docker-compose up –mount
Docker’s lack of a dedicated layer for committing changes means that it can be difficult to keep track of which changes have been made to a container and which need to be reverted. Buildah has the advantage of its capacity to commit multiple changes to a single layer, which is a missing feature in Docker. This makes it easier to revert any changes made in a container, and keeps the system more organized.
BuildKit
Linux, macOS, and Windows are all supported operating systems. ..
buildkit is an open source toolkit that converts source code to efficiently build artifacts. primary perk of buildkit is that it utilizes parallel processing of image layers to enhance performance. moreover, buildkit provides rootless builds and the ability to skip unutilized stages.
Colima
Linux is the most popular operating system in the world, and macOS is the most popular macOS operating system.
Another tool that can be used instead of Docker Desktop is Colima. Colima is a container that runs on both macOS and Linux, and it requires minimal setup as it is only available as a command-line (CMD) tool.
Intel and M1 Macs support Docker and Containers, which makes it possible to run containers on Intel-based Macs. This makes it possible to run applications that are not compatible with traditional macOS systems. Additionally, Post Forwarding Volume Mounts can be used to move data between different volumes on a Mac.
minikube
Linux is the most popular operating system in the world, and it’s supported by a wide range of devices. macOS is a popular choice for Mac users, as it’s easy to use and has a variety of features. Windows is also a popular choice for PC users, as it’s easy to use and has many features.
Minikube is a tool that enables you to run Kubernetes on your computer. It replaces Docker Desktop when running Kubernetes.
Podman
The company offers a supported operating system for Linux only, but it can also run on a virtual Linux environment on macOS and Windows. ..
Podman is a daemon-less container engine created by RedHat that is one of the most well-known Docker substitutes. It is compatible with the OCI container image spec, which allows it to run Docker container images and vice versa. ..
Podman is a new container management platform that does not use a daemon to manage the containers under its control. This makes it easier to work with containers, as there are no issues with process management.
Rancher Desktop
Linux is the most popular operating system in the world, and it’s supported by a wide range of devices. macOS is a popular choice for Mac users, as it’s easy to use and has a variety of features. Windows is also a popular choice for PC users, as it’s easy to use and has many features.
Rancher Desktop is an open-source desktop application that runs Kubernetes (K8s) and manages containers on desktops. The application offers a user-friendly graphic interface that makes it easy to configure the virtual machine that runs daemons as part of their K8s distribution.
The Rancher Desktop is a web application that replaces the Docker Desktop. It is simple to use and requires only turning off Docker Desktop and starting the Rancher Desktop. This web application is more seamless than the other Docker Desktop replacements out there.
Skopeo
Skopeo is a command-line tool that can be used instead of Docker Desktop to perform multiple processes on container images and image repositories. It is manufactured by RedHat and can be used with Podman and Buildah to enhance their performance.
Skopeo is a tool that allows you to collect data about a repository or a tag without needing to download it beforehand.
Should You Make the Switch?
Docker Desktop is still free of charge if you use one of the substitutes. ..
Small business: The company has less than 250 employees and less than $10 million in annual revenue. Educational institution: The school will use it for non-commercial open-source projects. Personal use: The school will need it for personal use. ..
If you are using Docker to manage your applications, it might be a good idea to switch to another tool. The subscription fee for Docker is $5 per month, so you can still benefit from its features even if you don’t have the money to pay monthly. Additionally, setting up alternative tools could be complicated, so it might be worth considering which one will work best for you.
Bottom Line
If you already have a Docker Desktop set up, have $5 to spend monthly, and prefer not to switch to another tool, keep using it! However, there are still multiple great substitutes if you can no longer use Docker or you do not like it. Tools like Podman and Rancher Desktop are the most agreed on by developers as the best two substitutes that offer similar features as Docker Desktop. However, Colima is also a customer favorite for Mac users. Every gadget has its advantages and disadvantages. Hence, no one size fits all. Nonetheless, picking a suitable tool does not have to be complicated. To choose an appropriate tool, you ought to know what you are looking for or need in a containerized application.
