Pick Docker if
individual developers who will stay on Personal at $0 while they open a first Containers list, then Pro at $9/user/month yearly ($11 monthly) when they need commercial / advanced Desktop features.
Read the Docker pageDocker vs OrbStack
Our take
Pick Docker if individual developers who will stay on Personal at $0 while they open a first Containers list, then Pro at $9/user/month yearly ($11 monthly) when they need commercial / advanced Desktop features. Pick OrbStack if mac developers who will stay on Free at $0 for personal containers while they open a first nextbigthing group, then Pro at $8/user/month or $96/year when the work is commercial — not
Best for
Docker A container table you start at a public $
OrbStack A local container window you start at a public $
Free plan
Docker $0 · “For individual developers who need the essential tools to build and deploy containers.”
OrbStack $0 · card: personal, non-commercial use. Run containers, run Linux machines, community support. No card to try
Lowest paid
Docker Hardened Images / extras $5
OrbStack Pro $8/user/mo yearly
Next step up
Docker Pro $9/user/mo
OrbStack
Runs where
Docker Hosted
OrbStack
Watch out
Docker Personal is the $0 individual tile
OrbStack Free is personal / non-commercial
Last checked
Docker 2026-10-23 · docker.com/pricing
OrbStack 2026-10-23 · orbstack.dev/pricing
Which one, then?
Pick OrbStack if
mac developers who will stay on Free at $0 for personal containers while they open a first nextbigthing group, then Pro at $8/user/month or $96/year when the work is commercial — not Enterprise first unless they need a custom quote.
Read the OrbStack page