Docker vs Podman: A newbie taking on a legend

Containers have revolutionized application deployment by enabling faster, scalable, and consistent development environments. Docker has long been the go-to tool for managing containers, but Podman, an open-source, daemonless alternative, is becoming increasingly popular. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between Podman and Docker and explore why Mac users, in particular, are gravitating toward Podman.

So what are the nerdy differences between these two?

• Architecture: Docker relies on a central daemon to manage containers, which requires root privileges. Podman, however, is daemonless, meaning it doesn’t need a background service and operates without elevated privileges, enhancing security.
• Security: Podman’s rootless operation reduces security risks, making it preferable for situations demanding higher security. Docker has a rootless mode, but it requires a more complex configuration to reach Podman’s level of safety.
• Compatibility and Commands: Podman is Docker CLI-compatible, so users can switch without learning new commands. However, Docker has broader ecosystem support and remains more popular in enterprise environments.
• Performance: Docker's central daemon structure can make it faster in certain cases, while Podman’s daemonless approach may sometimes incur a slight performance lag. However, the difference is generally minor and context-dependent.

So does Podman require different commands to do similar tasks, or you can run the same memorized commands of Docker?

Podman can also be set up to alias the Docker CLI commands directly (e.g., alias docker=podman), making the transition seamless for those accustomed to Docker. This compatibility enables smooth migration from Docker to Podman while maintaining the same workflows.

This is an intelligent thing Podman has done to make sure that the native Docker users do not find it difficult to move to a different architecture, which in some ways is doing a better job than Docker.

Who introduced me to Podman?

Well, it was MacOS. When I shifted to MacOS, I had Apple tantrums thrown to me which made some of the tasks difficult. Then I researched online, and I saw many Mac users using Podman.

Why do Mac users prefer Podman?

Mac users have unique requirements due to macOS limitations and the need for efficient virtualization. Here’s why Podman is becoming increasingly popular on Mac:

• No Daemon Dependency: Podman’s daemonless design eliminates the need for a constant background process, freeing up system resources that can otherwise slow down Mac performance.
• Easy Virtualization with Lima and UTM: Podman has been optimized to run well in virtualized environments on macOS, with integrations through Lima and UTM, offering smoother performance than Docker Desktop on Mac.
• Compatibility with Apple Silicon (M1/M2): Podman provides better compatibility with Apple Silicon, which has led many users to adopt it over Docker Desktop, which initially had limited support on M1 and M2 Macs.

In conclusion, both Docker and Podman are powerful tools for managing containers, their architectural differences make them suited for different use cases. Docker remains highly popular for its established ecosystem and compatibility. However, Podman’s security features, ease of use in rootless environments, and compatibility with MacOS make it a compelling choice, especially for Mac users looking for an alternative to Docker Desktop.

Basharat, a learning analyst, signing off.

#data #containerization #docker #podman