Alternatives to nerdctl
A command-line tool for containerd that works like the docker command, including Compose support. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
nerdctl
A command-line tool for containerd that works like the docker command, including Compose support.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as nerdctl.
Docker Engine
The container runtime that builds, packages and runs applications in Docker containers.
Docker Engine is the standard container runtime with its own docker command line, so you run a Docker daemon instead of using containerd directly.
Podman
Daemonless container engine with a Docker-compatible command line.
Podman offers a Docker-compatible command line without a background daemon, runs rootless containers, and is available on Windows, macOS and Linux rather than Linux only.
Finch
An open-source command-line client for building and running containers on macOS and Windows.
Finch bundles nerdctl, containerd, BuildKit and Lima in one installer for macOS and Windows, but runs containers in a virtual machine and lacks some nerdctl commands.
Colima
Run container environments on macOS and Linux from the command line.
Colima runs container environments on macOS and Linux with multiple instances and automatic port forwarding, and its Docker runtime needs a separate Docker client.
Also worth comparing
These listings name nerdctl as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Docker Compose
A command-line tool that defines and runs multi-container applications from a single YAML file.
nerdctl runs Docker Compose files on containerd with docker-style commands and rootless mode, but it requires containerd rather than an existing Docker daemon.
Podman Compose
A command-line tool that runs Docker Compose files using Podman instead of Docker.
nerdctl runs Docker Compose files on containerd with a docker-style command line and rootless mode, but requires containerd rather than Podman.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
CRI-O
A lightweight container runtime built specifically to run containers for Kubernetes.
Kata Containers
An open-source container runtime that runs each container inside a lightweight virtual machine for stronger isolation.
gVisor
An application kernel that sandboxes containers to isolate them from the host Linux kernel.
lazydocker
A terminal dashboard for Docker and Compose, so you stop typing ps, logs and restart over and over.
