Docker Desktop vs OrbStack
A data comparison of two DevOps tools for macOS. Figures come from Homebrew metadata and 30-day install analytics; this page does not contain subjective reviews.
Bottom line: Choose Docker Desktop for a larger user base (39,434 vs 20,787 installs in 30 days), which usually means more tutorials and faster answers.
| Docker Desktop | OrbStack | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | GUI app | GUI app |
| Category | DevOps & Cloud | DevOps & Cloud |
| Open source | Not declared | Not declared |
| Licence | Not declared | Not declared |
| Apple silicon | Universal | Universal |
| Latest version | 4.96.3,244472 | 2.2.5,21124 |
| Dependencies | 0 | 0 |
| Installs (30 days) | 39,434 | 20,787 |
| Install command | brew install --cask docker-desktop | brew install --cask orbstack |
Which one should you install?
- Choose Docker Desktop for a larger user base (39,434 vs 20,787 installs in 30 days), which usually means more tutorials and faster answers.
Install either with one command:
How to read this comparison
Only published Homebrew facts are compared: package type, category, licence, architecture, version, dependency count and 30-day install volume. A larger install count means more people install the app through Homebrew; it is not a quality score. Data updated 2026-10-26.