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Docker Engine vs Docker Desktop: catalog facts
Docker Engine	Docker Desktop
Free Free to use.	Freemium Free for personal use, education, open source projects and small businesses. Larger…
Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux
Standard runtime for container images Controlled from the command line and scriptable	Everything in one installer: engine, Compose, Kubernetes and a dashboard The reference implementation, so every tutorial assumes it
No graphical interface of its own Requires some command-line familiarity	Paid subscription required above a company size threshold Closed source, unlike the Docker engine itself
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.