Reviewed by the Softwares.com Editorial Team · Last updated June 2026 · How we rate
Key facts
- Vendor
- Red Hat
- Pricing
- Open source — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Linux, Mac, Windows, Api
- Best for
- Developers, Security Conscious Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2018
- Headquarters
- Raleigh, USA
What is Podman?
Podman is a development it tool from Red Hat. Podman is an open-source, daemonless container engine from Red Hat that runs OCI containers and pods rootlessly as a Docker drop-in.
Podman uses open source pricing and offers a free tier you can start on without a credit card. Free.
It's best suited to developers, security-conscious-teams and runs on Linux, Mac, Windows, Api.
Standout strengths include daemonless and rootless, docker-compatible cli, pod support. Worth weighing: desktop ux less mature, some docker gaps on macos.
Podman pricing
Pros
- Daemonless and rootless
- Docker-compatible CLI
- Pod support
Cons
- Desktop UX less mature
- Some Docker gaps on macOS
Podman vs alternatives
Ready to try Podman?
Start free and see if it fits your workflow.
Work at Red Hat? Claim this listing to keep it accurate.
Related software
MoreRelated guides
Related terms
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first to review Podman.
Frequently asked questions
What is Podman?
Podman is an open-source, daemonless container engine from Red Hat that runs OCI containers and pods rootlessly as a Docker drop-in.
How much does Podman cost?
Podman is open-source-priced. It has a free tier.
Does Podman have a free trial?
Podman offers a free tier rather than a time-limited trial.
What platforms does Podman support?
Podman is available on Linux, Mac, Windows, Api.