1
LimaVM
lima-vm.ioAlso covers file sharing and linux · same kind of website
Lima launches Linux virtual machines with automatic file sharing, according to its project page.
Alternatives
The Best OrbStack Alternatives in 2026
16 alternatives1 free · 6 open source
Looking for something like OrbStack? Here are 16 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 1 are free or have a free plan and 6 are open source.
OrbStack runs containers and Linux virtual machines on macOS, according to its product page.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionLimaVMLima launches Linux virtual machines with automatic file…Free or freemium optionWaydroidWaydroid runs a full Android system in a container on…Open source optionAtuinAtuin synchronizes, searches, and backs up shell history…Another optionTartTart builds, runs, and manages macOS and Linux virtual…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LimaVM | — | Not stated | Linux, Web |
| 2 | Tart | — | Not stated | Linux, macOS, Web |
| 3 | Remmina | — | Not stated | Linux, Web |
| 4 | Distrobox | — | Not stated | Linux, Web |
| 5 | WinApps | — | Not stated | Linux |
| 6 | Redroid | — | Not stated | Android, Linux |
| 7 | Atuin | — | Yes | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| 8 | UTM | — | Not stated | iOS, Linux, macOS |
| 9 | utils | — | Yes | Linux |
| 10 | Heads | — | Yes | Linux |
All OrbStack alternatives
2
Tart
tart.runAlso covers docker and linux · same kind of website
Tart builds, runs, and manages macOS and Linux virtual machines, with remote storage and integrations such as GitHub and GitLab.
3
Remmina
remmina.orgAlso covers file sharing and linux · same kind of website
Remmina connects to remote desktops and supports protocols including X2Go, RDP, SSH, SPICE, and VNC, with screen and file sharing.
4
Distrobox
distrobox.itAlso covers docker and linux · same kind of website
Distrobox runs Linux distributions inside containers and provides documentation and downloads.
5
WinApps
github.com/winapps-org/winappsAlso covers docker and linux
WinApps runs Windows applications such as Microsoft Office or Adobe software on Linux and integrates them with GNOME or KDE.
6
Redroid
github.com/remote-android/redroid-docAlso covers docker and linux
redroid runs Android in a multi-architecture cloud environment with GPU support, according to its documentation.
7
Also covers docker and linux · open source
Atuin synchronizes, searches, and backs up shell history with end-to-end encryption on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
8
UTM
mac.getutm.appAlso covers linux · same kind of website
UTM runs virtual machines on Mac, including operating systems on Apple Silicon and Intel hardware.
9
Also covers docker and linux · open source
The utils repository collects custom scripts and dotfiles, mainly for Linux systems.
10
Also covers docker and linux · open source
Heads provides a minimal Linux boot environment running as a coreboot or LinuxBoot ROM payload for laptops, workstations, and servers.
11
Also covers docker and linux · open source
dae provides an eBPF-based transparent proxy solution for Linux, according to its repository description.
12
Also covers docker and linux · open source
Zenith displays CPU, GPU, network, and disk metrics in a terminal with zoomable charts.
13
Also covers linux · open source
linux-router turns a Linux computer into a router, supporting internet sharing, Wi-Fi hotspots, IPv6, and virtual machines or containers.
14
Tart
github.com/cirruslabs/tartAlso covers linux
Tart builds, runs, and manages macOS and Linux virtual machines on Apple Silicon for CI and other automation.
15
Also covers linux · same kind of website · free
Waydroid runs a full Android system in a container on GNU/Linux desktops using Wayland.
16
WebVM
webvm.ioAlso covers linux · same kind of website
WebVM runs a Linux virtual machine in the browser with networking and graphics support through HTML5 and WebAssembly.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
Heads24 alternativesLinux Router24 alternativesdae24 alternativesutils24 alternativesZenith24 alternativesTart15 alternatives
What is the best alternative to OrbStack?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to OrbStack are LimaVM, Tart, and Remmina.
Is there a free alternative to OrbStack?
Yes. Waydroid is free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to OrbStack?
Yes: Atuin, utils, Heads, and dae.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative