OrbStack
Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux on macOS
Zellij
A terminal workspace with batteries included
Updated February 2026
| OrbStack | Zellij | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0★ | 5.0★ |
| Reviews | 6 | 2 |
| Pros | 12 | 0 |
| FactScore™ | 42.3 | 23.9 |
FactScore™ Comparison
FactScore™ weighs both quality (rating) and popularity (reviews) for a fairer ranking than stars alone.
Pros & Cons
Only in OrbStack — Pros
Docker alternative Fast performance Lightweight MacOS compatibility Performance improvement over Docker Desktop VM support Compatibility with existing workflows Container management IPv6 support Network exposure Simple interface StabilityBoth tools — Pros
—Only in Zellij — Pros
No unique pros listedOnly in OrbStack — Cons
Compatibility testing required New platformBoth tools — Cons
—Only in Zellij — Cons
—Details
| OrbStack | Zellij | |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Virtual office platforms, Command line tools, Cloud Computing Platforms | Command line tools |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Became Popular | September 22, 2023 | October 1, 2025 |
| Website | orbstack.dev | zellij.dev |
Who Should Pick Which?
Choose OrbStack if...
- Docker alternative
- Fast performance
- Lightweight
Choose Zellij if...
- No unique pros listed
With a FactScore™ of 42.3 vs 23.9, OrbStack leads in community reception. OrbStack uniquely offers Docker alternative and Fast performance, while Zellij stands out for No unique pros listed.
What Users Say
OrbStack
Tinybird Local needs a Docker runtime. We use Orbstack, and it's great.
It just makes working with containers like a breeze. This shows the value of ye old UNIX philosophy: do one thing good. And plus, OrbStack just keeps getting better!
OrbStack is a promising alternative, especially for macOS users who need lightweight container and VM management. However, its adoption depends on your specific needs, compatibility with existing w...
Zellij
This looks great. It's a more polished workspace for terminal lovers is always a welcome idea though I would want to know how it stacks up against tmux in terms of flexibility and performance.
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, OrbStack or Zellij?
Based on FactScore™, OrbStack leads with a score of 42.3 vs 23.9. OrbStack has a higher rating of 5.0★ compared to 5.0★.
What are the pros of OrbStack compared to Zellij?
OrbStack uniquely offers: Docker alternative, Fast performance, Lightweight, MacOS compatibility, Performance improvement over Docker Desktop.
What are the pros of Zellij compared to OrbStack?
Zellij uniquely offers: No unique pros listed.
Is OrbStack better rated than Zellij?
OrbStack is rated 5.0★ from 6 reviews. Zellij is rated 5.0★ from 2 reviews.
What is the FactScore™ of OrbStack and Zellij?
FactScore™ weighs rating and review volume together. OrbStack scores 42.3 and Zellij scores 23.9.
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