Alternatives to Pods

A GNOME desktop app for managing Podman and Docker containers, pods and images. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Pods.

  • Podman Desktop

    A desktop app for containers and Kubernetes that does not need a paid licence at a certain company size.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Podman Desktop runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and adds Kubernetes and extension support, but is an Electron app that feels heavier than native GNOME.

  • Cockpit Podman

    A plugin for the Cockpit web console that manages Podman containers from a browser.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    Cockpit Podman offers browser-based Podman management inside the Cockpit console, suited to servers, but does not manage Docker containers.

  • podman-tui

    A terminal user interface for managing Podman containers, images and other resources on local or remote machines.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    podman-tui is a keyboard-driven terminal interface for local or remote Podman on Windows, macOS and Linux, with no Docker support.

  • Docker Desktop

    The standard way to run containers on a Windows or Mac desktop, free for personal use and paid for larger companies.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Docker Desktop is a closed-source desktop app bundling the Docker engine, Compose and Kubernetes, paid above a company size threshold.

  • Portainer

    Web interface for deploying and managing Docker and Kubernetes workloads.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    Portainer moves container management to a self-hosted web interface covering Docker, Swarm and Kubernetes across several hosts, with some features in a paid edition.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.