Self-Hosted Alternatives to Docker Desktop

Why Replace Docker Desktop?

Docker Desktop changed to a paid subscription model in August 2021. Companies with 250+ employees or $10M+ revenue must pay $5-24/user/month. Even for individuals, the free tier adds a heavy GUI layer on top of what’s fundamentally a Linux container runtime.

For self-hosting on a Linux server, Docker Desktop is unnecessary — you only need the Docker Engine (free, open-source) or an alternative like Podman. Docker Desktop is a macOS/Windows development tool, not a server component.

Cost comparison:

• Docker Desktop Pro: $9/user/month ($108/year)
• Docker Desktop Business: $24/user/month ($288/year)
• Docker Engine on Linux: Free
• Podman: Free
• All self-hosted alternatives below: Free

Best Alternatives

Docker Engine (CLI) — Best for Linux Servers

If you’re running a Linux server for self-hosting, you don’t need Docker Desktop. Docker Engine provides everything: the daemon, CLI, Compose, and BuildKit. It’s what Docker Desktop wraps on macOS/Windows.

# Install Docker Engine on Ubuntu
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

This gives you docker and docker compose — all you need for self-hosting.

[Read our full guide: Docker Compose Basics]

Podman — Best Docker Alternative

Podman is a rootless, daemonless container engine that’s CLI-compatible with Docker. Most docker commands work by replacing docker with podman. It’s the most complete Docker alternative with better security defaults.

Why switch: No root daemon, better security, Red Hat backing, native systemd integration via Quadlet.

Trade-off: Some Docker-specific tools (Portainer, Watchtower (deprecated)) need socket compatibility configuration.

[Read our full guide: Podman for Self-Hosting]

Portainer CE — Best Web UI for Docker

If you miss Docker Desktop’s GUI, Portainer CE provides a web-based Docker management interface that’s far more powerful. Manage containers, images, volumes, networks, and stacks through a browser from anywhere.

Why switch: More features than Docker Desktop’s UI, remote access, multi-host support, free for up to 5 nodes.

[Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Portainer]

Dockge — Best Lightweight Compose Manager

Dockge is a lightweight Docker Compose manager with a clean web UI. It focuses specifically on managing docker-compose.yml files with a real-time editor and terminal. Built by the creator of Uptime Kuma.

Why switch: Clean compose-focused UI, real-time logs, minimal resource usage.

[Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Dockge]

Rancher Desktop — Best Desktop Alternative (macOS/Windows)

If you need a Docker Desktop replacement on macOS or Windows for local development, Rancher Desktop is the closest free alternative. It runs a local Kubernetes/containerd VM and provides both docker and nerdctl CLIs.

Why switch: Completely free, Kubernetes included, supports both dockerd and containerd backends.

Lazydocker — Best Terminal UI

Lazydocker is a terminal-based Docker management tool. If you work primarily via SSH, it gives you a full overview of containers, images, and volumes in a TUI.

Why switch: Zero overhead, works over SSH, no web server needed.

[Read our full guide: How to Set Up Lazydocker]

Migration Guide

From Docker Desktop to Docker Engine (Linux)

If you’re moving self-hosted services from a Docker Desktop machine to a Linux server:

1. Export your compose files. Copy all docker-compose.yml files from your projects.
2. Export volumes if needed:

   docker run --rm -v myvolume:/data -v $(pwd):/backup alpine tar czf /backup/myvolume.tar.gz -C /data .

3. Install Docker Engine on your Linux server (see above).
4. Copy compose files and volume backups to the server.
5. Import volumes:

   docker volume create myvolume
   docker run --rm -v myvolume:/data -v $(pwd):/backup alpine tar xzf /backup/myvolume.tar.gz -C /data

6. Start your stacks: docker compose up -d

From Docker Desktop to Podman

1. Install Podman on your target system.
2. Export images: docker save myimage:tag -o myimage.tar
3. Import to Podman: podman load -i myimage.tar
4. Run compose files: podman compose up -d (most files work without changes)
5. Update socket-dependent tools to use the Podman socket path.

Cost Comparison

	Docker Desktop	Docker Engine	Podman	Portainer CE
Monthly cost	$0-24/user	Free	Free	Free (≤5 nodes)
Annual cost	$0-288/user	Free	Free	Free (≤5 nodes)
GUI	Desktop app	None (CLI)	None (CLI)	Web UI
Linux server	Not available	Native	Native	Add-on
Container runtime	Docker	Docker	Podman	Uses Docker/Podman

What You Give Up

• Integrated development environment. Docker Desktop includes Dev Environments, extensions marketplace, and GUI-based build tools. On a server, you use the CLI — which is more powerful but less visual.
• One-click updates. Docker Desktop auto-updates. Docker Engine and Podman require manual updates (or DIUN for container image update notifications — Watchtower is deprecated).
• Docker Scout. Built-in vulnerability scanning in Docker Desktop. Alternative: Trivy (free, open-source).

For self-hosting on a server, none of these losses matter. Docker Desktop is a development tool, not a server management tool.

Related

• Podman for Self-Hosting
• How to Self-Host Portainer
• How to Self-Host Dockge
• Podman vs Docker
• Portainer vs Dockge
• Best Docker Management Tools
• Docker Compose Basics
• How to Set Up Lazydocker