Best Container Runtime Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Apptainer is ranked #1 of 27 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of crun and Docker Desktop. The best-ranked option with a free plan is crun. The lowest first paid tier on this page is LXD at $2.08/mo.
Container runtime software lets you run and manage containers, with options that vary in host support and operating modes. Compared on host platforms and OCI support, the entries also differ in rootless mode, runtime mode, and Windows-container support. If you prefer a desktop interface, compare the Desktop GUI field; free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. Docker Desktop, Podman, and Podman Desktop are among the first entries, followed by containerd and Rancher Desktop. Consider the hosts and container types you need to support, then weigh those requirements against the listed modes, interface options, and pricing.
27 container runtime software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Apptainer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Rootless mode: Yes
- 2 crun No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Rootless mode: Yes
- 3 Docker Desktop No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$9/mo Rootless mode: Yes
- 4 gVisor No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Rootless mode: Yes
- 5 Incus No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Rootless mode: Yes
- 6 LXD No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$2.08/mo Rootless mode: YesDesktop GUI: No
- 7 Rancher Desktop No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free
- 8 Colima No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free
- 9 containerd No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Rootless mode: Yes
- 10 firecracker-containerd No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free OCI support: Yes
- 11 OrbStack No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$8/mo
- 12 Podman No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Rootless mode: Yes
- 13 Podman Desktop No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 14 SCONE No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8Free
- 15 Finch No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Rootless mode: NoOCI support: Yes
- 16 Kata Containers No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Rootless mode: Yes
- 17 Kuasar No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2
- 18 LXC No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Rootless mode: Yes
- 19 runc No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Rootless mode: Yes
- 20 SingularityCE No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Rootless mode: Yes
- 21 Sysbox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Rootless mode: Yes
- 22 youki No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Rootless mode: Yes
- 23 Apple container No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 24 Charliecloud No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Rootless mode: Yes
- 25 OpenVZ No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
Is your app 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 Samsung Mobile US Press?
Apptainer is ranked #1 of 27 with a score of 6.4. crun is second and Docker Desktop 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 mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.