OrbStack

OrbStack is a native macOS environment for Docker containers, local Kubernetes, and Linux virtual machines. It is designed for developers running web stacks, building container images, testing services, or working in Linux without leaving the Mac.

Main features

• Run Docker and Compose workloads with an included Docker engine, Compose, and buildx tools.
• Manage containers, images, volumes, builds, logs, terminals, and files in the native app; inspect resource use in Activity Monitor.
• Create Linux machines from supported distributions and access them through orb or SSH. Shared files are accessible from macOS, and isolated machines can restrict access to Mac files.
• Use integrated networking, port forwarding, automatic orb.local domains, and local Kubernetes for development.
• Forward supported USB devices and use audio in Linux workloads. On Apple Silicon, run x86 container images with Rosetta-assisted emulation.

Installation and getting started

Install the macOS Homebrew cask with brew install --cask orbstack, then open OrbStack to finish setup. Homebrew installs OrbStack.app plus orb and orbctl with shell completions. Select a Linux distribution in the app to create a machine, or use the included Docker tools for containers. Containers and machine data use disk space separately from the app download.

Requirements, platforms, and compatibility

OrbStack requires macOS Sonoma 14 or later and offers separate Apple Silicon and Intel builds. It is a macOS host application; Linux is the guest environment, not a separately supported native host, and no Windows host edition is offered. The current Homebrew cask declares the macOS minimum but no additional formula dependency or cask conflict. Docker Desktop is not required: OrbStack supplies its own engine and tools. Administrator approval is optional and is used for global tool links and the compatibility socket link.

Docker Desktop and Colima can coexist by selecting the appropriate Docker context. OrbStack selects its orbstack context and, with administrator approval, can update /var/run/docker.sock. Existing working Docker CLI tools are left in place, so check which engine/context your tools use. Optional Docker Desktop data migration copies existing containers, images, and volumes. The official guide recommends stopping an unused engine to save resources. OrbStack does not provide Linux GPU acceleration or a full graphical Linux desktop.

Accounts, pricing, and license

OrbStack is proprietary software from Orbital Labs, LLC; its public GitHub repository is for issues and discussions, not the complete product source. Personal non-commercial use is free. Freelance, business, and other commercial use requires a per-user paid license; non-profit professional use is also covered by the commercial terms. The official pricing page currently lists Pro at $8 per user per month with annual billing ($96 annually). Installation includes a 30-day Pro trial, after which Free is for personal use. Create an account, purchase or receive an assigned license, and sign in to activate paid access. Check the current terms and pricing for eligibility and billing details.

Official sources: quick start, installation and migration, Docker integration, FAQ, licensing, and pricing.