Free Migration Guide
Done Paying for Docker Desktop?
Apple Container is fast, native, and free. This guide shows you how to actually move — including the compose workaround nobody's written down.
The Docker Desktop Problem
Three pains every macOS developer knows.
$150+/seat/year for 250+ employee companies
Docker Desktop licensing went paid. If your org has 250+ employees, you're paying per seat. Apple Container is free — Apple-built, MIT-licensed, zero recurring cost.
Resource-hungry VM that never rests
Docker Desktop runs a Linux VM that consumes RAM even when idle. Apple Container uses macOS Virtualization.framework — each container is a lightweight VM booting in under 1 second, only using resources when it's running.
Frequent update interruptions
"Update Docker Desktop now" — the notification macOS developers dread. Apple Container updates come through macOS system updates. No separate updater, no forced restarts.
Apple Container: What It Actually Is
OCI-compatible. Apple Silicon native. Built into macOS 26.
Docker Desktop
- Runs inside a Linux VM
- Proprietary license (paid for enterprises)
- Separate installer and updater
- compose built in
- Port mapping required
- Works on Intel + Apple Silicon
Apple Container
- Native Virtualization.framework — no Linux VM overhead
- Open source, free for everyone
- Built into macOS — updated with the OS
- Compose not yet supported (we have a workaround →)
- Each container gets its own IP — no port mapping needed
- Apple Silicon only (M1/M2/M3/M4)
The Compose Problem — Solved
Yes, compose is missing. No, it's not a dealbreaker.
GitHub issues #55 and #186 are the most-requested features for Apple Container. Every YouTube video ends with "not ready yet." But Container Machines (shipped in v1.0) combined with a shell script and DNS configuration gives you the same result — multi-container orchestration without compose. We wrote the conversion template so you don't have to figure it out from scratch.
3 Steps to Migrate
1. Install & Run Your First Container
Brew install, system start, pull an image, run it. You'll have a working container in 10 minutes. Follow along with the exact commands.
2. Convert Your Multi-Container Setup
The part everyone gets stuck on. Take your docker-compose.yml and convert it to Container Machines + a shell script. We show you the mapping for volumes, networks, and inter-container DNS.
3. Grab the Stack Templates & Go
Pre-built templates for Nginx+Node and Python+PostgreSQL — just swap in your project. Plus production hardening (launchd, TLS, monitoring) in the full manual.
Ready to Stop Paying?
Migration Guide: everything above, in one PDF, with conversion scripts and 2 stack templates.
$29 — one-time, no subscription
Get the Migration GuideFree preview on this site. Manual adds PDF + conversion scripts + production checklist.
Quick FAQ
Does Apple Container replace Docker completely?
For macOS developers on Apple Silicon running macOS 26+, yes — with the compose workaround described on this site. If you need x86 containers or cross-platform CI, keep Docker around for those specific use cases. Many teams run both side by side during migration.
Is Apple Container faster than Docker Desktop?
Container startup is noticeably faster (<1s vs 3-5s for Docker Desktop on macOS) because Apple Container skips the Linux VM layer. I/O performance is also better for bind-mounted volumes since it uses native APFS. Network throughput is comparable.
When will Apple officially support compose?
Apple hasn't announced a timeline. The docker/compose repo has an open issue (#12934) requesting support, and the Apple Container team is aware. Until then, this site's Container Machines + shell script approach is the working solution.