Software Alternatives & Startups

OrbStack VS Boxes

Compare OrbStack VS Boxes and see what are their differences

OrbStack

Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux on macOS

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Boxes

GNOME Boxes is an application of the GNOME Desktop Environment, used to access remote or virtual systems.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, OrbStack seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 37 times since March 2021.

social mentions
37 vs 0
Developer Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
140 vs 64

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

OrbStack
B
Boxes
Website orbstack.dev wiki.gnome.org
Pricing
Open source Official pricing
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

OrbStack 5 features
B
Boxes 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Boxes offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to create and manage virtual machines without a steep learning curve.
  • Integration with GNOME
    As a part of the GNOME project, Boxes integrates well with the GNOME desktop environment, ensuring a seamless experience for users of this desktop.
  • Effortless Setup
    Setting up new virtual machines or connecting to remote desktops is streamlined, requiring minimal user input to get started.
  • Automatic Resource Allocation
    Boxes automatically allocates resources like CPU and memory based on the host system capabilities, simplifying management for users.
  • Remote Desktop Support
    In addition to managing local virtual machines, Boxes can connect to remote machines, providing flexibility in accessing different environments.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Boxes lacks some of the advanced features found in other virtualization tools, making it less suitable for power users who need extensive configuration options.
  • Performance Overhead
    As with many virtualization solutions, there is some performance overhead when running virtual machines, which might affect the host system’s performance.
  • Dependency on GNOME
    Since Boxes is designed for GNOME, its integration with other desktop environments might not be as smooth, potentially causing usability issues.
  • Limited Guest OS Compatibility
    Some users report that Boxes can have compatibility issues with certain guest operating systems, limiting its effectiveness in some scenarios.
  • No Snapshot Support
    Boxes currently does not support taking snapshots of virtual machines, which is a drawback for users who require rollback capabilities for testing configurations.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

OrbStack 2 videos + Add
B
Boxes 3 videos + Add

OrbStack: A Lightweight Alternative for Docker

More videos

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

21 NEVER BEFORE OPENED SUBSCRIPTION BOXES - 2020 Subscription Box Unboxing and Review

More videos

  • - Comparing & Reviewing 11 Popular Subscription Boxes | 2020 Subscription Box Unboxing with Michel
  • - Comparing & Reviewing 4 Popular Meal Kit Boxes!

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
OrbStack
B
Boxes
100% 100%
0% 0%
49% 49%
51% 51%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using OrbStack and Boxes. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

OrbStack no reviews yet
B
Boxes no reviews yet

We have no reviews of OrbStack yet. Be the first one to post

  • 10 Apps Used to Sell Anything for Cash
    www.lifehack.org · Mar 2020

    Boxes is interesting because it’s categorized under social media in the app store. This app has a broader focus by allowing users to organize and catalog a collection, connect with people who have similar interests,...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

OrbStack 37 mentions
B
Boxes 0 mentions
  • Orbs
    I kept reading (I mean scanning) to see if it uses orb stack[1] locally. [1] https://orbstack.dev/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Zed is 1.0
    You might find OrbStack useful here as a replacement for Docker Desktop. So much faster and uses way less resources: https://orbstack.dev/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • How to Turn Any SaaS Into a Telegram Bot in 30 Minutes Using OpenClaw
    On macOS, I recommend OrbStack. It is lighter than Docker Desktop. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago

View more

Tracking Boxes since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to OrbStack and Boxes

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