Top 10 Docker alternative for containerization


Docker is a popular open-source platform for developing, testing, deploying, and managing applications. A well-known open-source platform for creating, testing, deploying, and managing applications is called Docker. Interestingly, Docker has a virtual production environment called a container that is simple to share with others.

Conversely, some developers complained about difficulties they encountered when using Docker containers to create their apps.

Popular Docker substitutes have taken advantage of some of these issues to build virtualized platforms with functionality that Docker lacks.

In this article I'll outline the top ten Docker alternatives, all of which excel at generating a virtually isolated environment for app development and provide consumers with distinctive advantages that set them apart.

Why do you need a Docker Alternative?

With the introduction of the Docker virtual platform for app development, Docker has improved the programming environment. Its software container is adaptable, light, and requires little in the way of system resources. It is also simple to deploy. Docker made its programmes open-source and also partnered with key programming communities around the world to assure continuous improvement and updating. Even so, Docker is the pioneer in the development of virtualized platforms, but as I already mentioned, it has flawed that warrant looking for substitute virtualized platforms

Since all data housed in a container is erased when the container is shut down, managing data stored on Docker's containers may be challenging. One might need to save the data on a container to a different location to avoid this. Despite the fact that Docker fixed this problem, developers still have trouble saving data on the Docker platform. The best Docker alternative you choose among the top ten alternatives I'll be providing will mostly depend on your needs as a developer.

  • Open VZ − Virtuozzo's OpenVZ is a Linux-based containerization technology that is comparable to Docker in terms of features and capabilities, but it can do more than just deploy applications. On a Linux server, OpenVZ lets users create multiple isolated Linux containers. As a result, these Linux-based containers are used to create isolated environments for hosting virtual servers (such as OpenVZ containers, which house the majority of VPN-based virtual private servers).

  • VirtualBox − Both VirtualBox and Docker are virtual platforms that developers may use to build and run applications, and both were first made available in 2007. Developers can create many virtual machines running on various operating systems using VirtualBox, unlike Docker. This makes it advantageous for applications that need to run on a different OS. Additionally, as VirtualBox operates on both X86 and AMD64/Intel64 OS, it makes switching between Operating Systems and storing data in containers on Docker unnecessary by enabling simple file storage, backup, and switching to cloud-based storage services.

  • LXC (Linux Containers) (Linux Containers) A single Linux machine can host many separate Linux environments thanks to the containerization engine LXC. LXC, in contrast to Docker, functions as a hypervisor for assembling numerous Linux computers, each having its own set of system files, networking capabilities, and software. LXC, is considerably more suited for data-intensive applications and can serve as a substitute for hypervisors.

  • Containerd − Our list of the top Docker alternatives also includes Containerd.The main principles of Containerd, a standalone container runtime, are portability, robustness, and simplicity. Before Docker opted to advance its components into standalone components, Containerd was a programme that functions as part of Docker container services.

  • Vagrant − Vagrant, developed by HashiCorp, is a tool for reproducing various virtual environments under different conditions on various virtual machines and operating systems. It is used to set up a virtual environment that can be replicated several times across different networks, virtual machines, and OS to avoid the "works on my PC" problem. To create virtual environments with the same compilers and libraries, you can use Vagrant to produce images of virtual machines and share them with your team members across various platforms.

  • Microsoft Azure Container Registry − Using DCLI (Docker Command Line Interface) tools, Microsoft Azure Container Registry is a private Docker registry for storing and managing container images. It has runtime protection, container vulnerability scanning, and compatibility with Twist Lock as additional security options for users. In conclusion, users of Microsoft Azure Container Registry can use third-party tools like OpenShift and Docker Enterprise Edition to deploy containerized applications from the Azure platform to other virtual platforms.

  • Kubernetes (K8) − Kubernetes is a well-known alternative to Docker, in contrast to other top contenders on our list. Google created the open-source Kubernetes (also known as K8) container automation system to manage container applications in physical, virtual, or cloud environments. Numerous workloads and thousands of containers are managed by Kubernetes, which acts as an orchestrator. Multiple clusters (multiple nodes) can be managed using Kubernetes with ease and effectiveness, and inactive nodes can be automatically rescheduled.

  • Podman − RedHat's Podman is an alternative virtualization platform that is open-source. However, Podman Container Engine operates without the need for root access thanks to its daemonless architecture. Due to Podman's direct integration with systemD (system daemon), which enables it to run in the background, containers can be run without root capabilities. System replaces Podman's Docker daemon capabilities.

  • ZeroVM − Based on Google's Chromium Native Client (NaCl) project, ZeroVM is an open-source, compact virtualization technique. Users can build a safe and isolated environment embedding apps with ZeroVM.

Conclusion

It is challenging to declare a particular alternative to be the best because the best alternative is dependent on the particular requirements of users or features that are lacking in Docker.

Podman, on the other hand, is the ideal alternative to take into consideration if you are looking for a substitute that works flawlessly without root privileges and has similar Docker features and functionality.

OpenVZ, on the other hand, is the best option for users who want a virtualization engine that works like a hypervisor and a container engine at the same time.

Despite this, each and every one of the ten best Docker alternatives listed above is free.

Updated on: 14-Dec-2022

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