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Containers on the Mac, explained.
Guides to running Docker containers on Apple Silicon Macs: Docker Desktop alternatives, Compose without Docker Desktop, licensing, file watching and builds.
Docker Desktop alternatives for Mac in 2026, compared
OrbStack, Colima, Podman Desktop, Rancher Desktop, Apple container, Lima and DevRun compared on license, engine, Compose, file sharing, Kubernetes and Mac support.
· 5 min read
How to run Docker on a Mac without Docker Desktop
Run docker, docker compose and docker build on an Apple Silicon Mac without Docker Desktop, using the Docker CLI from Homebrew and the DevRun engine.
· 3 min read
Apple container vs Docker: what Apple's container tool does
Apple's open-source container tool runs each Linux container in its own lightweight VM on Apple Silicon. How it differs from Docker, and what it can't do yet.
· 2 min read
Why hot reload stops working in Docker on a Mac, and how to fix it
Edits on your Mac don't reach file watchers inside Linux containers. Here's why, and the polling setting that fixes Vite, Next.js, webpack, nodemon and air.
· 2 min read
Is Docker Desktop free? Licensing and pricing in 2026
Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education and companies under 250 employees and $10M revenue. Larger companies need Pro, Team or Business plans.
· 2 min read
OrbStack vs Docker Desktop vs Colima on a Mac
How OrbStack, Docker Desktop and Colima differ on price, VM, file sharing, file watching, Kubernetes, x86 emulation and Intel support, with sources for each claim.
· 3 min read