Best Container Runtime Software in 2026
Updated
In short: LXD is ranked #1 of 27 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of OrbStack and Apptainer. The best-ranked option with a free plan is OrbStack. The lowest first paid tier on this page is LXD at $2.08/mo.
Container runtime software varies in the environments and operating modes it supports. Compared on host platforms and OCI support, the options help you assess compatibility with your setup; runtime mode and rootless mode add further distinctions for how containers are run. Check whether desktop GUI support or Windows containers matter to your workflow. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are also included for weighing cost. LXD, OrbStack, and Apptainer are among the named options, with Docker Desktop and Incus also represented. Use the listed platform and runtime details to focus on the support your container workloads require.
27 container runtime software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Container Runtime Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 14 of the 25 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 LXDPaid from $2.08/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 2 OrbStackPaid from $8/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 3 ApptainerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 4 Docker DesktopPaid from $9/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 5 IncusFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 6 gVisorFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 7 Rancher DesktopFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 8 ColimaFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 9 crunFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 10 PodmanFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 11 containerdFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 12 firecracker-containerdFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 13 Podman DesktopFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 14 SCONEFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 15 Finch
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 16 Kata Containers
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 17 Kuasar
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 18 SingularityCE
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 19 LXC
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 20 runc
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 21 Sysbox
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 22 youki
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 23 Apple container
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 24 Charliecloud
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 25 Mirantis Container Runtime
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
Is your platform 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 The Geeks Club?
LXD is ranked #1 of 27 with a score of 7.8. OrbStack is second and Apptainer 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 on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.