OrbStack

What it is for

OrbStack is a macOS Docker + Linux VM desk: you run a nextbigthing group (api / cache / db / proxy / web) beside an orb.local preview and a Linux neofetch, and personal use is $0. Use it when the job is a local container window you start at a public $, not when you need Docker Desktop's cross-platform installer only.

Soft-note: Free for personal, non-commercial use; Pro is commercial. Distinct from Docker and Gitpod.

What makes it unique: the cover is OrbStack's official Containers desk (Docker sidebar Containers / Volumes / Images / Builds / Networks / Kubernetes / Linux / Services / Machines / Activity Monitor / Commands / Devices, group nextbigthing with api / cache / db / proxy / web, Show in Finder, browser web.nextbigthing.orb.local Shipping your next big thing, footer, Linux neofetch on dragonubuntu) from hero.png on orbstack.dev — not a wordmark. The api row itself is ops of the group.

Key features

• Containers sidebar — Docker / Linux / Services rails (cover still; orbstack.dev). One desk. Cover Containers sits here.
• nextbigthing group — api / cache / db / proxy / web with status dots (cover). A group, not a Pro tile.
• Show in Finder — the group footer (cover). A reveal, not a $8 meter.
• orb.local preview — web.nextbigthing.orb.local shipping page (cover). A preview, not yearly.
• Linux machine — dragonubuntu neofetch (Ubuntu 26.04, 94.91 MiB) (cover). A VM, not Enterprise.
• Window chrome — Info / Stats / Logs / Terminal / Files (cover). Chrome, not Get Started.

Menu-bar extras stay off the cover count. Free / Pro / Enterprise tiles stay in Pricing. There is no AI desk we fold into Containers.

Who it's for

Best fit: 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.

Pricing

Verified 2026-10-23 (Asia/Shanghai) from orbstack.dev/pricing. Soft-note: personal Free vs commercial Pro.

• Free — $0. Card: personal, non-commercial use. Run containers, run Linux machines, community support. No card to try.
• Pro — $8 per user per month, or $96 billed annually. Card: business & commercial use.
• Enterprise — companies with advanced needs. Do not invent an Enterprise $.

Confirm checkout; taxes follow your location.

Limitations / costs

• Free is personal / non-commercial. Shipping nextbigthing for a company is Pro $8 / $96.
• macOS only. This is not Docker Desktop on Windows / Linux.
• A local VM desk, not Gitpod's cloud session. For that session see Gitpod.

Alternatives

• Docker — Docker Desktop when you want Personal $0 / Pro $9 yearly, not OrbStack's orb.local preview.
• Gitpod — a cloud session when you want Free 3 envs / Core from $20, not dragonubuntu on the Mac.

Official tutorial

We searched for an official OrbStack YouTube channel. No first-party @OrbStack how-to resolved at check (docs-only). We do not embed third-party OrbStack walkthroughs as officialVideo. Use the written pricing, docs, and the hero.png still.

Website

https://orbstack.dev/

Source

Catalog row curated for AI Tools Nav. Cover is OrbStack's official homepage hero.png (nextbigthing api/cache/db/proxy/web + orb.local + dragonubuntu neofetch). Dollars checked on orbstack.dev/pricing (Free $0 personal; Pro $8/user/mo or $96/yr; Enterprise custom). No official how-to YouTube at check.

Last verified

2026-10-23 (Asia/Shanghai) editorial check.