Side by side
apko vs BuildKit
Both stand on container build tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted
apko offers a package-driven alternative to Dockerfile image construction, emphasizing small, reproducible outputs and SBOMs. Its declarative model requires software and shell steps to exist in APK packages first.
Visit apko Free plan APILinuxMac+2
BuildKit offers a flexible build toolkit with caching, multiple frontends and outputs, and rootless execution. macOS users relying on the unofficial Homebrew formula should note that it does not include the daemon.
Visit BuildKitThe facts
| apko | BuildKit | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | apko.dev | github.com |
| On container build tools | #9 of 34 | #5 of 34 |
apko: what it does well
- Free and open source
- Bitwise-reproducible images
- SBOM files from successful builds
- Daemonless image builds
- Multi-architecture support
What to know first
- Cannot mix Wolfi and Alpine packages
- No arbitrary Dockerfile-style commands
- Custom software must be packaged as APK
- Project is described as work in progress
BuildKit: what it does well
- Supports concurrent dependency resolution and instruction caching.
- Builds can run without root privileges.
- Offers multiple output formats.
- Binaries are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Licensed under Apache-2.0.
What to know first
- Unofficial macOS Homebrew formula excludes buildkitd.
- Some listed cache options are experimental.
Alternatives to apko Alternatives to BuildKit The whole list