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DevOps

Free and open-source Docker alternatives

Docker (Build, share and run containers) is a commercial product. These 2 tools do the same job and are free to use or to self-host.
Short answer: the best free alternatives to Docker are Podman and Colima. Docker starts at $9/user/mo (Pro). Self-hosting is free; you pay only for the server (a small VPS is about $4–6/mo). Licenses and prices checked 2026-10-01.
  1. 1
    Podman

    Daemonless, open-source container engine

    Daemonless containers with a Docker-compatible CLI.

    Open source (Apache-2.0) ·★ 33k GitHub stars · last commit 2026-10-07 · details

  2. 2
    Colima

    Container runtimes on macOS and Linux with minimal setup

    Container runtime for macOS and Linux, no Docker Desktop needed.

    Open source (MIT) ·★ 31k GitHub stars · last commit 2026-10-02 · details

Want paid options too? See all Docker alternatives or the full free alternatives list. Beyond developer tools, OSS Software lists more open-source Docker alternatives.

FAQ

Is there a free alternative to Docker?+

Yes. Podman and Colima do the same job for free; Podman and Colima are open source.

What is the best open-source alternative to Docker?+

Podman is the most starred on GitHub (33k stars). Daemonless containers with a Docker-compatible CLI.

Open source: OSI-approved license. Free to self-host: the code is public and free to run yourself, with limits in the license.