Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DockStation VS OrbStack

Compare DockStation VS OrbStack and see what are their differences

DockStation logo DockStation

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

OrbStack logo OrbStack

Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux on macOS
  • DockStation Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-24
  • OrbStack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

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.

OrbStack features and specs

  • Performance
    OrbStack is optimized for high performance, providing faster boot times and efficient resource usage compared to other virtualization platforms.
  • User Interface
    The platform offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that simplifies management and set up of virtual machines and containers.
  • Integration
    OrbStack integrates well with various development tools and environments, enhancing workflow efficiency for developers.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    It supports multiple platforms, making it versatile and accessible for users across different operating systems.
  • Security
    The platform is designed with robust security features to protect virtualized environments and ensure data integrity.

Possible disadvantages of OrbStack

  • Limited Documentation
    Some users might find the available documentation scarce, making it harder to find solutions to specific issues or advanced configurations.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, there may still be a learning curve for users who are new to virtualization technologies.
  • Pricing
    Depending on the licensing model, OrbStack can be costly for individual developers or small teams with limited budgets.
  • Resource Intensity
    Though efficient, the platform may require significant system resources, which could be a drawback for users with less powerful hardware.
  • Compatibility Issues
    While OrbStack supports various platforms, there might be occasional compatibility issues with specific hardware or software configurations.

DockStation videos

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OrbStack videos

OrbStack: A Lightweight Alternative for Docker

More videos:

  • Review - Practices for Docker on Mac Mini M2 Pro with OrbStack #mac #orbstack #docker #container

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DockStation and OrbStack)
Developer Tools
43 43%
57% 57
DevOps Tools
67 67%
33% 33
Design Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Containers As A Service
67 67%
33% 33

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OrbStack should be more popular than DockStation. It has been mentiond 23 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: over 3 years ago

OrbStack mentions (23)

  • Docker limits unauthenticated pulls to 10/HR/IP from Docker Hub, from March 1
    If you're on Mac worth checking out the commercial https://orbstack.dev/ Reasonable price for better dev efficiency. Free for personal use. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Build a data-intensive Next.js app with Tinybird and Cursor
    This is a Docker image, so you just need a Docker runtime on your machine (if you're using MacOS, I recommend OrbStack). - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Troubleshooting Docker Desktop: Tips and Alternatives for Developers
    OrbStack: Although it’s a paid tool, OrbStack promises faster, lighter, and simpler container and Linux management compared to Docker Desktop. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Docker Desktop Broken on Mac OS Update for over a Week
    How can update like this even happen and I'm still waiting for the post mortem on this. [0] Quite frankly a very basic intern mistake but done by "seniors". In the mean time, I'm using Orbstack. [1] Much faster, lightweight and native. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42695066. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Hosting HuggingFace Models with KoboldCpp and RunPod
    Simply run docker compose down or use GUIs such as Rancher Desktop, Docker Desktop, or OrbStack to shut down the containers. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

Portainer - Simple management UI for Docker

Podman - Simple debugging tool for pods and images

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

Docker - Docker is an open platform that enables developers and system administrators to create distributed applications.

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