Compare software

Tart vs Lima: catalog facts
Tart	Lima
Free Downloadable from GitHub; Cirrus Runners is a separate paid CI service, and license terms…	Free Free and open source under Apache 2.0, a CNCF project.
macOS, Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Uses Apple's native Virtualization.Framework Stores VM images in OCI container registries	Automatic file sharing and port forwarding, so the VM feels like part of the host Runs containerd, Docker, Podman and Kubernetes, not just one of them
Apple Silicon Macs only Built for CI and automation more than desktop use	Command-line only; there is no graphical management interface Linux guests only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License not stated	License: Apache-2.0
No account 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.