Open Source
Podman Desktop
by podman-desktop
Podman Desktop is the best free and open source tool to work with Containers and Kubernetes for developers.
Our verdict
We have not reviewed Podman Desktop yet
No one at Enterprise DNA has checked this listing against its sources. The description comes from public listings gathered automatically. Any fact below shows where it came from and when it was last checked.
From the listing
About Podman Desktop
Podman Desktop is a free, open source desktop application for developers to build, manage, and deploy containers and Kubernetes clusters. It provides a graphical interface that simplifies container workflows, leveraging Podman as the underlying engine.
Best for
Developers who prefer a graphical interface for container and Kubernetes workflows.
Use cases
- Build and run containers locally with a visual interface
- Manage Kubernetes clusters and deploy applications from the desktop
- Inspect container logs, images, and volumes without CLI commands
Notes
8,113 stars on GitHub. Last updated 2026-10-29. Licensed Apache-2.0.
Pros
- Free and open source with an active community
- User-friendly GUI reduces the learning curve for container management
- Integrates with Kubernetes for cluster operations
Cons
- Requires Podman or compatible container runtime installed separately
- May lack some advanced features found in commercial tools
- Desktop-only, not suitable for headless or server environments
Key facts
What we have checked
- Latest version
- 1.30.5 (released 13 Oct 2026)
- Days since the last commit
- 0
- GitHub forks
- 590
- GitHub stars
- 8,142
- Days to a first reply on issues
- 0
- Open issues
- 816
- Releases in the last 90 days
- 8
Each value shows when we last confirmed it and where it came from. Values we have not confirmed are left out, never guessed.
Stars and usage
How Podman Desktop is growing
8,118 to 8,142
Health and security
Is Podman Desktop looked after, and what do its setup files show
Health score
100 out of 100
| Part | Points | What we saw |
|---|---|---|
| Recent activity | 30 of 30 | Last push 0 days ago |
| Releases | 15 of 15 | 8 releases in 90 days |
| Issue replies | 20 of 20 | First reply in 0 days (median) |
| Maintainer | 15 of 15 | Owned by an organisation |
| Official source | Not counted | MCP servers only |
Alternatives
Alternatives to Podman Desktop
| Record | Type | How we know | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Docker DesktopThis is an alternative to it | Product | Linked recordGitHub |
Compare
Compare Podman Desktop side by side
Sources
Where this comes from
A source shows what was published when we checked it. It does not certify security, performance or a working installation. Read our method.
Changelog
What changed
Released 1.30.5
Released 1.30.4
Released 1.30.3
Released 1.30.2
Released 1.30.1
Released 1.30.0
Released 1.29.3
Released 1.29.2
Released 1.29.1
Released 1.29.0
Open-source & AI alternatives
Swap-in tools that solve the same job. Weigh the trade-offs before you commit.
Get the free Developer’s Field Guide
A 27-page field guide to the AI coding workflow with Claude. Claude Code, MCP servers, the prompt patterns that work, and what to delegate. Free.
Enter your work email. We send it straight over, plus a few short notes worth knowing. Unsubscribe any time.