Even though container technology was around before 2013, Docker alternative really changed the game and made it popular. With Docker, developers could easily create containers from their application code, share common libraries, and reuse containers whenever needed.
Docker also helps you track different versions of your container images, roll back to previous versions, and see who created each one. You can also upload just the changes between two versions instead of the whole thing.
One of the best things about Docker containers is that they work anywhere, whether on a desktop, in the cloud, or a data center, without needing any changes.
However, on December 2, 2020, the Kubernetes team announced that starting with version 1.20, they would phase out Docker as a runtime. Kubernetes would employ the Container Runtime Interface (CRI), which is compatible with a larger range of runtimes, in place of Docker.
In this blog, we’ll examine Docker alternatives that offer more options for building and deploying containers. And If you want to read more Blogs, Visit here!
Should You Use Docker in 2024?
As we move into 2024, Docker is no longer your only container management option. Exploring alternative tools can help you address Docker’s limitations, tailor solutions to specific use cases, and maintain consistent container management across different environments. For example, you may want to avoid running the Docker daemon on your servers and instead utilize the same container technology for development and production.
Can You Use Containers Without Docker?
Docker brought containers into the mainstream; for many people, it’s still what comes to mind when they think of containers. However, Docker is now just one of many tools available in the container ecosystem.
The Open Container Initiative (OCI) standardizes the fundamentals of containers. OCI-compatible tools, including Docker, follow these standards, which define how container images and runtimes should function. This implies that any other OCI-compliant program can utilize images made with Docker and vice versa.
11 Top Docker Alternatives
Docker has many standalone alternatives, some offering virtualization technologies and cross-platform compatibility. Additionally, Open Container Initiative (OCI) tools can complement Docker, replace specific components, or work with other Docker alternatives to create powerful competitors.
Kubernetes
One tool for managing the deployment and scalability of containerized workloads in dispersed settings is Kubernetes (K8s). It tackles many of the challenges encountered when running containers in production by introducing higher-level concepts for defining container and infrastructure requirements through declarative configuration.
Replicas of your containers (pods) are hosted on physical hosts, or nodes, in a Kubernetes cluster. You can distribute your workloads across nodes, set resource limits, and centrally manage Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to restrict unauthorized access. Kubernetes automatically redistributes its pods to other nodes in the event of a node failure.
Kubernetes doesn’t replace Docker but complements it by focusing on container operations. Since K8s cannot construct container images, you will need to create your images using another OCI-compatible tool, such as Docker, before deploying them to your cluster. Kubernetes is known for its complexity and may be unnecessary for simpler deployment scenarios. Effectively operating and securing Kubernetes clusters requires dedicated expertise.
Podman
Podman is a free tool for managing containers and images. It can completely replace Docker and adheres to OCI specifications. It functions with Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Unlike Docker, Podman doesn’t need a background process running on your computer, which makes it faster and more secure.
Podman’s commands are similar to Docker’s, so transitioning between them is easy. For example, “podman ps” replaces “docker ps.” Like Docker Desktop, Podman also has a graphical desktop application named Podman Desktop.
BuildKit
BuildKit is a tool for creating images from the Moby Project. It is now part of Docker Build (from Docker version 18.09) and can also work independently within Moby.
Like Docker, BuildKit uses a daemon. However, it builds images faster by working on multiple parts simultaneously instead of one by one.
BuildKit saves time by not rebuilding each part repeatedly. It also supports skipping unused parts, allows rootless builds, and makes building only what’s changed easy.
BuildKit can do more with plugins, letting developers use it for tasks like turning functions into containers or adding them to continuous integration (CI) pipelines.
Heroku
Heroku is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) provider that simplifies container deployments by automating the process without requiring manual infrastructure setup. Unlike solutions such as Kubernetes or Docker Swarm mode, which offer extensive control and complexity, Heroku offers a fully managed option for swiftly launching live deployments in the cloud.
Heroku’s integrated Container Registry storage solution allows you to push pre-built container images for deployment. Additionally, the platform can build your images for you and deploy them instantly using straightforward declarative configuration. This streamlines software delivery and saves time, particularly for developers who may not be as experienced with container operations. Furthermore, it improves security by removing the requirement for root access to the host and maintain a container runtime.
LXC
LXC offers an alternative approach to containerization, integrated into Linux at the OS level. LXC offers system-level containerization, whereas OCI technologies like Docker concentrate on application-level containerization.
LXC containers are like traditional virtual machines in management, unlike Docker. They are lightweight and portable and offer persistence for multiple workloads. In contrast, Docker containers are ephemeral, running a single process and being disposed of once that process ends.
Rancher Desktop
Rancher Desktop is a free, open-source tool for managing containers on your desktop. It’s like Docker Desktop but doesn’t require a commercial license.
This tool includes various components from the container ecosystem, such as the Docker daemon (although you can also use containers directly), support for Kubernetes clusters, and related command-line interfaces.
With Rancher Desktop, you get a comprehensive solution for managing containers on your developer workstation. It offers easy-to-use interfaces and dashboards for interacting with containers.
Apache Mesos
Apache Mesos is free software from the Apache Software Foundation for managing containers and data centers. It acts as a middleman, dividing virtual resources from physical hardware and assigning resources to apps.
Mesos is a flexible to Docker alternative, allowing new apps and technologies to be added without disrupting clusters. Zookeeper’s support also ensures a self-repairing and fault-tolerant environment.
Containerd
Containerd is a lightweight and powerful container runtime for managing containers on physical or virtual machines. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) has endorsed it, making it popular among developers. It provides a dependable container runtime for their projects.
Containerd streamlines container management by handling the entire life cycle, including image transfer, storage, execution, supervision, low-level storage, and network connections. Its compatibility with Linux and Windows makes it a versatile and cross-platform solution.
Kaniko
With Kaniko, you can create container images from Dockerfiles directly within a Kubernetes cluster or container.
Kaniko doesn’t need a Docker daemon, so it runs each Dockerfile command in user space. This makes it possible to build container images in environments like standard Kubernetes clusters, where exposing a Docker daemon securely is challenging.
Using Kaniko with Google Container Builder without requiring privileged mode (root access). This enhances security and performance.
When a Docker daemon isn’t accessible or doesn’t have root access, Kaniko can operate on any regular Kubernetes cluster, including Google Kubernetes Service (GKS) and others.
OrbStack
OrbStack is a macOS-exclusive alternative to Docker Desktop, designed to be faster and lighter. It’s perfect for macOS users who frequently work with containers. Since it’s tailor-made for macOS, it seamlessly integrates with the platform and fully supports container features like volume bind mounts, networking subsystems, and x86 Rosetta emulation.
OrbStack can replicate all Docker Desktop operations because it supports Kubernetes and Docker Compose as well. It offers file sharing, remote SSH development capabilities, and an extensive CLI. While OrbStack is a commercial product, it’s free for personal use.
VirtualBox
Oracle VM VirtualBox provides a complete virtualization solution, allowing you to emulate entire operating systems within virtual machines (VMs). It’s a popular open-source software used across different platforms like Windows, Linux, MacOS X, and most x86 systems.
VirtualBox is favored for its capability to run multiple OS environments simultaneously on a single physical host.
Conclusion
The containerization landscape is vast and expanding. While Docker remains popular, there are many Docker alternatives to consider.
The ideal option will rely on the features and needs you have in mind. If you’re seeking a fully open-source alternative to Docker, Podman is worth exploring. However, if you’re expanding beyond Docker and need simpler container management for production, the Kubernetes solution may offer better flexibility for automating and scaling deployments.
