# Orbstack 2

Native macOS containers & VMs.

Source: [Console review](<https://console.dev/tools/orbstack>)

Website: [https://orbstack.dev/](<https://orbstack.dev/>)

Profile updated: 2026-10-16

Category: [Containers](<https://console.dev/tools/categories/devops-containers>)

## Supported tech stack

Research checked: 2026-10-11

### Runs on

- macOS (Operating system)

### Integrates with

- Docker (Integration)
- Linux (Operating system)

Source: [Research source](<https://docs.orbstack.dev/quick-start>)

Documented compatibility; coverage may be incomplete. Written in describes implementation, not user-project language support.

macOS application runs Docker containers and Linux guest machines. Linux is a guest target, not a host.

## Console’s review — 2025-09-18

Reviewed: 2025-09-18

Author: [David Mytton](<https://console.dev/about#david-mytton>)

Citation: [This review](<https://console.dev/tools/orbstack#review_8c3334c7900c854c8a65a3cbf201c44c352693e5046dd1fa94a3a11e4391209c>)

### What we like

Run containers and VMs using native macOS APIs for better performance. Docker-compatible (including Compose). Bundles debug tools, log viewer, activity graphs. GUI for managing containers, images, volumes, networks, file manager. Proxies HTTPS with SSL.

### Tradeoffs

It would be interesting to see if they can leverage the new container APIs in macOS Tahoe.

This review reflects Console’s assessment at publication on 2025-09-18. Features and limitations may have changed since the review date.

## Is Orbstack 2 a fit?

Based on [Console’s review published on 2025-09-18](<https://console.dev/tools/orbstack#review_8c3334c7900c854c8a65a3cbf201c44c352693e5046dd1fa94a3a11e4391209c>).

Summary updated: 2026-10-16

### Who it’s for

Developers using macOS

### Why consider it

Run containers and VMs with better performance

### Keep in mind

Limited by current container APIs

## Earlier review — 2024-10-10

Reviewed: 2024-10-10

Author: [David Mytton](<https://console.dev/about#david-mytton>)

Citation: [This review](<https://console.dev/tools/orbstack#review_325d3beb6b03d9f0051cc3ac80e1b5ea59cdb0ecdab19893ea8013ca4811ce01>)

### What we like

Drop-in replacement for Docker Desktop. Runs significantly faster and has a native UI. Automatic, local HTTPS. One-click debug terminal with useful tools. Bundles k8s. Advanced networking support. Launch Linux VMs. Rosetta x86 emulation. Easily transfer files.

### Tradeoffs

Log viewer is rudimentary. You can’t specify a custom ISO when launching VMs.

This review reflects Console’s assessment at publication on 2024-10-10. Features and limitations may have changed since the review date.

## Earlier review — 2023-06-29

Reviewed: 2023-06-29

Author: [David Mytton](<https://console.dev/about#david-mytton>)

Citation: [This review](<https://console.dev/tools/orbstack#review_7c64649e325ca3b9bbc867b0af997e2fe3110d6d67e46e80daa85aeb57039698>)

### What we like

It’s fast - launches within \\\~2 seconds vs Docker Desktop \\\> 10 seconds. Speediness also extends to launching containers - uses Rosetta x86 emulation and modern i/o APIs on macOS to optimize performance. Native UI. Also supports creating Linux VMs with Intel emulation. Very low CPU usage.

### Tradeoffs

Obviously macOS only. Doesn’t fully implement all Docker Desktop features e.g. directly browsing container files is not implemented in the UI.

This review reflects Console’s assessment at publication on 2023-06-29. Features and limitations may have changed since the review date.

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