Best Container Runtime Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Apptainer is ranked #1 of 27 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Docker Desktop and Incus. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Docker Desktop. The lowest first paid tier on this page is LXD at $2.08/mo.
Container runtimes let you run containers on supported host environments, with options varying in interface and operating modes. This ranking compares host platforms and OCI support, runtime mode, rootless mode, desktop GUI, and Windows containers. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are included as well. Docker Desktop, Podman, and Podman Desktop appear among the first entries. Check which host platforms and container support you need, then weigh whether a graphical interface or a particular runtime mode is relevant to how you work.
27 container runtime software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
14 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ApptainerWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 2 | Docker DesktopWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $9/mo | 6.6 | |
| 3 | IncusWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | Rancher DesktopWindows · Mac · Linux · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 5 | ColimaMac · Linux | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | LXDWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | $2.08/mo | 6.5 | |
| 7 | PodmanWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | Podman DesktopWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 9 | containerdWindows · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 10 | crunLinux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 11 | firecracker-containerdLinux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 12 | gVisorLinux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 13 | OrbStackMac | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $8/mo | 6.4 | |
| 14 | SCONEWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 15 | FinchWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | Kata ContainersLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 17 | KuasarLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | SingularityCELinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 19 | Apple containerMac | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 20 | CharliecloudLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | LXCLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 22 | OpenVZLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 23 | runcLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 24 | SysboxLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 25 | youkiLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which container runtime software is ranked first on Freedom251?
Apptainer is ranked #1 of 27 with a score of 6.6. Docker Desktop is second and Incus third.
How many of these have a free plan?
14 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, LXD has the lowest first paid tier we found: $2.08/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.