Docker is without doubt one of the most generally used container platform for builders. It makes it simple to construct, run, and share containers—self-contained environments that embody the whole lot an software must work, with their very own filesystem.
On this article, we’ll discover 12 Docker options that offer you extra flexibility in terms of construct and deploy containers.
Is Docker Nonetheless the Proper Alternative in 2025?
As of 2025, Docker is not the one device obtainable for working with containers. You may contemplate switching to another if Docker doesn’t meet all of your wants. Some builders need to keep away from operating Docker’s background service (the Docker daemon), whereas others are on the lookout for instruments that provide higher efficiency, extra safety, or a smoother expertise throughout each growth and manufacturing environments.
A number of the instruments we’ll cowl are full replacements for Docker, whereas others give attention to bettering particular components of the container workflow like producing photos or simplifying orchestration and deployment.
Do You Want Docker to Use Containers?
Not anymore. Whereas Docker helped deliver containers into the mainstream, it’s now simply one in all many instruments within the container ecosystem.
Right this moment, most container instruments comply with requirements set by the Open Container Initiative (OCI). This implies they work with the identical forms of container photos and runtimes. Should you construct a container picture with Docker, you may nonetheless run it utilizing one other OCI-compliant device—and the identical goes in reverse.
Briefly, you don’t want Docker to make use of containers. Should you change to another platform, you may proceed utilizing your current container photos and even pull content material from Docker Hub. Within the record beneath, we’ll level out which Docker options are OCI-compatible so you can also make an knowledgeable alternative.
Additionally Learn : 8 Greatest Docker Containers for House Servers in 2025
Greatest Docker Options 2025
Exploring options to Docker? Under is a rigorously chosen record of 12 notable containerization instruments, every chosen for his or her relevance to widespread use instances and distinctive options. Whereas this record doesn’t cowl each choice obtainable, it highlights among the most succesful and extensively adopted options in use at the moment.
Listed here are some options to Docker:
Runc
Runc is a light-weight, OCI-compliant container runtime that gives a command-line interface for launching containers immediately in your host system. It focuses on delivering the core performance wanted to run containers with none extra options or overhead.
Whereas runc is usually used as a foundational part inside higher-level container instruments similar to containerd, which manages full container lifecycles and can be used independently. Builders can combine runc into their very own scripts and programs to construct customized container options.
By utilizing runc, you may handle containers with no need to work together immediately with low-level Linux kernel options like cgroups, namespaces, and chroots. This makes it a robust choice for constructing minimal and versatile container infrastructure.
Hyper-V Containers
Home windows containers are a function of Home windows Server that let you package deal and run each Home windows and Linux containers on Home windows hosts. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice that Home windows containers aren’t cross-platform, you may’t run a Home windows container on a Linux machine.
When containerize Home windows functions, you’ll want to make use of Home windows containers. Microsoft presents a wide range of base photos which incorporates Home windows, Home windows Server, and .NET Core that present the required working system layers and APIs to your app.
As an non-obligatory mode, you may allow Hyper-V Containers, which provide an added layer of isolation by operating every container inside its personal light-weight Hyper-V digital machine. Not like process-isolated containers, these Hyper-V containers have their very own occasion of the Home windows kernel that delivers hardware-level isolation.
To make use of Hyper-V Containers, your Home windows host should have Hyper-V enabled. This mode enhances safety and permits for extra exact useful resource administration. As an example, you may allocate devoted reminiscence to every container’s digital machine, optimizing efficiency and useful resource distribution throughout your system.
Kubernetes
Kubernetes (K8s) is the one in all fashionable container orchestration platform, designed to automate the deployment, scaling, and administration of containerized functions throughout a number of bodily hosts. It ensures excessive availability, fault tolerance, and environment friendly useful resource utilization with out handbook intervention.
Kubernetes is OCI-compatible, means it might probably run container photos constructed with different instruments, together with Docker. Kubernetes environments composed of a number of bodily or digital machines known as nodes are managed by the kubectl command-line device.
Kubernetes excels in manufacturing environments that require robust scalability and reliability. It’s additionally extensively adopted in growth workflows to reflect manufacturing setups and guarantee consistency throughout environments. You’ll be able to run Kubernetes domestically utilizing instruments like Minikube, MicroK8s, or K3s, or go for managed clusters from main cloud suppliers for a streamlined, scalable expertise.
OrbStack
OrbStack is a macOS-exclusive various to Docker Desktop, designed to be sooner, lighter, and extra environment friendly on Apple programs.
This presents seamless integration with the platform whereas delivering full containerization help which incorporates quantity bind mounts, networking, and even x86 emulation by way of Rosetta. This makes it a robust alternative for macOS customers who work with containers recurrently.
Helps key growth instruments like Docker Compose and Kubernetes, enabling it to function a drop-in alternative for Docker Desktop in most workflows. It features a highly effective CLI alongside its desktop interface, plus options like file sharing and distant SSH-based growth.
Whereas OrbStack is a proprietary business product, it’s free to make use of for private initiatives, making it a sensible and accessible choice for particular person builders on macOS.
Podman
Podman is an open-source container administration device that provides full OCI compliance and serves as a succesful alternative for Docker. It runs on Home windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile choice for cross-platform growth.
One in all its standout options is its daemonless structure, Podman doesn’t depend on a long-running background service. This design can result in higher efficiency and a smaller assault floor, enhancing each velocity and safety.
Podman’s command-line interface is very suitable with Docker’s. Most often, you may merely change docker with podman (e.g., podman run, podman ps). For customers preferring a graphical interface, Podman Desktop is a user-friendly, open-source various to docker desktop that simplifies container and picture administration with out requiring deep command-line information.
Additionally Learn: Administration Choices in Superior VMware ESXi Administration
Bulidah
Buildah is a specialised device for constructing OCI-compliant container photos, with out together with any performance for operating containers.
As a light-weight, daemonless answer, it’s well-suited for picture creation and administration inside customized workflows or CI pipelines. Its simple CLI makes it simple to combine into scripting environments or bigger automation programs.
You need to use Buildah to work immediately with OCI photos that modify them by including information, executing extra instructions, or layering content material. It helps constructing from Dockerfiles in addition to setting up photos step-by-step by way of CLI directions.
Moreover, Buildah means that you can mount the picture’s file system to your host, offering a handy approach to examine and confirm the contents earlier than finalizing the construct. This makes it a sensible various to Docker who targeted solely on picture creation and customization.
Rancher Desktop
Rancher Desktop is a free and open-source app for managing containers in your pc. It really works like Docker Desktop however doesn’t require a paid license.
It contains the whole lot you want for working with containers, such because the Docker engine (you may also select to make use of containerd), help for Kubernetes clusters, and helpful command-line instruments like nerdctl and kubectl.
This makes Rancher Desktop a terrific alternative for builders utilizing Home windows who need a simple approach to create, run, and handle containers. It additionally permits you to change between totally different variations of Kubernetes, so you may check updates earlier than utilizing them in your reside setting.
Purple Hat OpenShift
Purple Hat OpenShift is a platform that helps you construct and run cloud functions. Its Container Platform half is designed to handle containerized apps utilizing Kubernetes, however in a method that’s simpler to deal with.
OpenShift is a paid service, usually utilized by massive corporations the place many groups run a lot of totally different apps. It’s made so individuals don’t have to fret in regards to the difficult particulars of containers and Kubernetes.
The platform offers you a stable approach to run containers in real-world environments. It contains useful options like computerized updates and central controls for safety and guidelines, so you may hold your containers protected and dependable with no need to handle the whole lot your self.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) Options
PaaS choices like Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Google App Engine make it simple to deploy and run containers within the cloud with out a lot problem. These providers can mechanically flip your code right into a container and deal with all of the administration, so you may give attention to writing your app.
Utilizing a PaaS means you don’t have to put in or handle Docker or different container instruments your self earlier than deploying your work. This helps you progress sooner and makes it simpler for all engineers to deploy apps, even when they don’t know a lot about containers.
However PaaS platforms will be onerous to customise and may lock you into utilizing a single vendor. Whereas they’re nice for getting began rapidly, they may not match properly in case your app wants particular setups because it grows. It could possibly additionally trigger variations between how apps are constructed in your pc, the place you may nonetheless use Docker and the way they run within the reside setting.
Containerd and Nerdctl
Containerd is a background service (daemon) that runs containers. It’s OCI-compliant and managed by the CNCF. Docker and Kubernetes each use it behind the scenes to run containers. Should you don’t need to use Docker, you may set up containerd by itself to run containers immediately.
To work together with containerd, you need to use Nerdctl, a command-line device you put in individually. Nerdctl is made to work similar to Docker’s CLI—most Docker instructions will work by simply changing docker with nerdctl (for instance, nerdctl construct as a substitute of docker construct). It even helps Docker Compose instructions.
Organising containerd and Nerdctl takes a bit extra work than putting in Docker, but it surely offers you extra flexibility and management. You’ll be able to swap out components of your container setup as wanted, and get entry to the newest containerd options earlier than they seem in Docker.
LXC (Linux Containers)
LXC (Linux Containers) is a built-in container system for Linux. It sits between full digital machines and light-weight instruments like Docker.
Not like Docker, which is made for operating single duties in short-lived containers, LXC creates system containers that behave extra like digital machines. Every LXC container features a full working system, so you may set up and run a number of applications inside it. As soon as created, these containers keep in your system till you take away them, making them helpful for long-running or complicated setups.
Managing LXC containers feels just like managing a digital machine, which will be useful should you’re used to that form of setup.
LXC is an effective various to Docker when that you must:
- Run a couple of service or app inside a container
- Entry the total container OS
- Use instruments and strategies like these used with VMs
LXC doesn’t help Docker photos (OCI format) out of the field, however with the precise template, you may convert an OCI picture to work with LXC.
Digital Machines
Generally, containers aren’t your best option. In instances the place you want stronger safety, full {hardware} isolation, or steady, long-lasting environments that may be moved simply between machines, conventional digital machines (VMs) could also be a greater match. Instruments like KVM, VMware Workstation, and VirtualBox allow you to create and handle these VMs.
With virtualization, you may run a number of working programs on a single bodily machine. For instance, in case your servers run Linux however that you must deploy a Home windows-only app, containers received’t work and Home windows containers can’t run on Linux. On this case, making a Home windows digital machine means that you can use your present {hardware} whereas nonetheless supporting totally different OS necessities.
Conclusion
Whereas Docker stays one of the fashionable instruments for working with containers, it’s not the one choice. Relying in your wants, whether or not it’s light-weight picture constructing, full system containers, higher desktop efficiency, or cloud-native orchestration—there are numerous options obtainable. Instruments like Podman, Buildah, containerd, and LXC supply extra management, flexibility, or specialization, whereas platforms like Rancher Desktop and OrbStack present user-friendly interfaces for builders.
For extra managed or simplified workflows, PaaS options and digital machines can supply higher suits, particularly when containerization isn’t appropriate. Select the precise device comes right down to your particular use case, technical ability degree, and infrastructure targets. Whether or not you’re operating easy dev environments or deploying enterprise-scale functions, there’s a container or non-container answer that aligns together with your workflow.
