Side by side

Mirantis Container Runtime vs systemd-nspawn

Both stand on container engines. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Mirantis Container Runtime

Paid APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

MCR combines Docker compatibility with Kubernetes and Swarm choices, security controls, and supported enterprise subscriptions. Buyers should verify host-kernel compatibility and select support coverage by node.

Visit Mirantis Container Runtime

systemd-nspawn

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

systemd-nspawn provides container execution and management integrated with systemd on Linux. Review its unprivileged limits and user-namespace guidance before using it for untrusted code.

Visit systemd-nspawn

The facts

	Mirantis Container Runtime	systemd-nspawn
Free plan	No	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	API, Linux, Self-hosted, Windows	Linux, Self-hosted
Lowest paid plan	See the plans	Free or on request
Plans published	8	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	docs.mirantis.com	freedesktop.org
On container engines	#29 of 31	#25 of 31

Mirantis Container Runtime: what it does well

Supports Kubernetes and Docker Swarm
Compatible with Docker workflows and APIs
Offers image validation with Secure Registry
Provides FIPS 140-2 cryptography
Supports rootless mode and image building

What to know first

No free plan
Subscriptions are priced per node
Linux excludes Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel
24×7 support costs more than 8×5

systemd-nspawn: what it does well

Free to use.
Runs directory-tree or disk-image containers.
Can run interactively or as a system service.
Integrates with systemd-machined and machinectl.
Supports persistent per-container settings.

What to know first

Requires a Linux host.
Unprivileged use supports disk images only.
Unprivileged networking is limited to two modes.
Untrusted code requires a user namespace for safety.

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