Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DockStation VS Docker Desktop

Compare DockStation VS Docker Desktop and see what are their differences

DockStation logo DockStation

DockStation is a developer-centric application for managing projects based on Docker.

Docker Desktop logo Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop is a one-click-install application that lets you to build, share, and run containerized applications and microservices.
  • DockStation Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-24
Not present

DockStation features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    DockStation offers a graphical user interface that simplifies the management of Docker containers, making it more accessible for users who are not comfortable with command-line tools.
  • Visual Management
    It provides visual representations of your Docker projects and environments, which can help users better understand and manage their containers and networks.
  • Project Management
    DockStation allows you to define and handle multiple projects efficiently, making it easier to manage environments with multiple applications or services.
  • Cross-Platform
    It is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering flexibility to users across different platforms.
  • Time Saving
    The tool can help reduce the time spent on managing Docker environments by providing quick access and control over containers, images, and services.

Possible disadvantages of DockStation

  • Limited Advanced Features
    DockStation may lack some advanced features available in more robust Docker management tools, potentially limiting its utility for complex deployments.
  • Dependency on Docker API
    As with other Docker GUIs, it relies on the Docker API. If there are compatibility issues with the API, DockStation’s functionality might be impacted.
  • Resource Usage
    Running a GUI-based tool could result in higher resource usage compared to command-line tools, which might be a consideration for users with limited system resources.
  • Community and Support
    DockStation may have a smaller user community compared to more established Docker tools, which can impact the availability of support and shared solutions.
  • Update and Maintenance
    The frequency and quality of updates and maintenance might vary, potentially affecting the tool's stability and capabilities over time.

Docker Desktop features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Docker Desktop is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers to work in their preferred environment with a consistent toolset.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Docker Desktop provides a graphical user interface that simplifies the process of managing containers, making it accessible to both new and experienced developers.
  • Integrated Tools
    It includes Docker Compose, Docker CLI, Kubernetes, and other useful tools bundled in one package, streamlining the workflow for container management and orchestration.
  • Easy Installation
    Docker Desktop offers a straightforward installation process that abstracts away the complexity of setting up Docker and its components from scratch.
  • Consistent Development Environment
    It helps maintain consistency between development, testing, and production environments, reducing potential discrepancies and deployment issues.

Possible disadvantages of Docker Desktop

  • Performance Overhead
    Running Docker Desktop can introduce performance overhead, especially on Windows and macOS, due to the virtualization layer required by these operating systems.
  • Resource Usage
    Docker Desktop can be resource-intensive, consuming significant amounts of CPU and memory, which might impact the performance of other applications.
  • Licensing Costs
    For businesses, Docker Desktop may require a paid subscription depending on the company size, which can be a financial consideration.
  • Limited in Headless Environments
    Docker Desktop is primarily designed for development environments with a graphical interface and may not be suitable for headless server environments.
  • System Integration Issues
    Some users might face integration issues with specific system setups, especially on less common or older platforms.

DockStation videos

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Docker Desktop videos

Docker Desktop Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Docker Desktop for macOS Setup and Tips

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DockStation and Docker Desktop)
Developer Tools
52 52%
48% 48
DevOps Tools
55 55%
45% 45
Containers As A Service
54 54%
46% 46
Kubernetes
45 45%
55% 55

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DockStation should be more popular than Docker Desktop. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DockStation mentions (4)

  • Best alternative to Portainer?
    An option that I found that you might find useful is https://dockstation.io/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Import database to docker with terminal
    Now your database is ready to import, in this step execute docker in terminal, (docker desktop is not supported in Linux but you can install dockstation for Linux, they are similar. And then you can execute there). - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago
  • What am I missing out by not using Docker?
    Kitematic runs on Linux: https://github.com/docker/kitematic/releases, and so does Dockstation: https://dockstation.io. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Docker desktop (Windows) alternatives?
    I'm a big fan of dockstation I have no idea how it compares, but it does what I need. Source: almost 4 years ago

Docker Desktop mentions (2)

  • Containerizing Spring Boot Applications with Docker: A Complete Guide
    To use Docker, first download Docker Desktop from docker.com/products/docker-desktop. Pick the version for your OS (Windows or macOS). If you're on Linux, follow the guide at docs.docker.com/engine/install. Install it like any app and launch Docker Desktop. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Getting Started with .NET and Docker Tutorial
    First, you need to download and install Docker Desktop from the Docker website. You can leave all of the default options checked during the installation process. Once it’s downloaded, sign in using your Docker Hub account. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up at hub.docker.com. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DockStation and Docker Desktop, you can also consider the following products

Portainer - Simple management UI for Docker

Lazydocker - A simple terminal UI for docker and docker-compose, written in Go with the gocui library.

Rancher - Open Source Platform for Running a Private Container Service

Kubernetes - Kubernetes is an open source orchestration system for Docker containers

Kitematic - The easiest way to start using Docker on your Mac

OrbStack - Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux on macOS