macOS vs dockur/windows
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
Runs macOS in a Docker container on a Linux host, viewed through a web browser.
Open source · MIT
Runs full Windows inside a Docker container, with a browser-based viewer and automatic install.
The short answer
Choose macOS if you need…
- Developers who need to test software on macOS from a Linux machine
- People who want to try macOS without buying Apple hardware
- Users comfortable with Docker Compose and Linux virtualization settings
- Anyone wanting a disposable macOS environment that can be started and stopped with Docker
Choose dockur/windows if you need…
- People who need a Windows environment on a Linux server or PC without installing Windows directly
- Developers testing software on different Windows versions
- Users who want to run legacy Windows releases such as XP or 98 in a container
- Anyone who already uses Docker Compose and wants Windows managed the same way
Side-by-side
| macOS | dockur/windows | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 21.7k | 54k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Run with Docker | Run with Docker |
| Main language | Shell | Shell |
| Last code update | 29 days ago | 29 days ago |
What each one is
macOS
This project packages macOS so it can run inside a Docker container on a Linux machine with KVM support. It downloads macOS automatically and installs it with little manual setup, and you connect to it through a web browser on port 8006. People use it to try or test macOS without owning a Mac.
dockur/windows
dockur/windows packages a Windows virtual machine inside a Docker container. It downloads a Windows edition for you, installs it automatically, and lets you view the desktop in a web browser or connect with a Remote Desktop client. It needs a Linux host with KVM virtualization support.
Best for
macOS
- Developers who need to test software on macOS from a Linux machine
- People who want to try macOS without buying Apple hardware
- Users comfortable with Docker Compose and Linux virtualization settings
- Anyone wanting a disposable macOS environment that can be started and stopped with Docker
dockur/windows
- People who need a Windows environment on a Linux server or PC without installing Windows directly
- Developers testing software on different Windows versions
- Users who want to run legacy Windows releases such as XP or 98 in a container
- Anyone who already uses Docker Compose and wants Windows managed the same way
Strengths
macOS
- Automated download and installation reduces manual setup
- Works with a standard Docker workflow, including Compose and Kubernetes examples in the README
- MIT licensed and actively maintained, with a recent push date
dockur/windows
- Installation is automated, and the README describes it as hands-free after the container starts
- Supports many Windows releases, from Windows 95 through Windows 11 and Server 2025, according to the version table
- Configuration is done through environment variables and volumes in a standard Docker Compose file
Not ideal for
macOS
- Users without a Linux host or Windows 11 with nested virtualization, since Docker Desktop on Linux, macOS, and Windows 10 is stated as unsupported because it lacks KVM access
- Users on hardware below the stated AVX2 requirement, such as older Intel or AMD processors
- Anyone needing a production or licensed macOS build service, since the README only describes running it as a container
- Users with less than 4 GB RAM or 32 GB free disk, which are stated minimums
dockur/windows
- Machines without KVM support, since the README says Docker Desktop on Linux, macOS, and Windows 10 does not provide KVM access to containers
- Systems with less than 2 GB of free RAM or 32 GB of free disk space, which are listed as minimums
- Users who need ARM64 Windows; the README points to a separate project, dockur/windows-arm, for that
Trade-offs
macOS
- Requires specific hardware and KVM support, so it will not run on many machines
- The README warns that macOS 26 runs very slowly and is not recommended yet
- Some features such as GPU acceleration and macvlan networking need extra configuration and have caveats, like macvlan hosts not reaching the Docker host
dockur/windows
- Requires KVM hardware virtualization, so it will not run on many desktop setups such as Docker Desktop on macOS
- Downloads are large, from about 0.1 GB to 7.9 GB depending on version, and the default disk is 64 GB
- The README states the web viewer is less responsive than RDP and lacks clipboard sharing
Getting started
macOS
Run with Docker CLI
docker run -it --rm --name macos -e "VERSION=14" -p 8006:8006 --device=/dev/kvm --device=/dev/net/tun --cap-add NET_ADMIN -v "${PWD:-.}/macos:/storage" --stop-timeout 120 docker.io/dockurr/macosdockur/windows
Run Windows 11 with Docker CLI
docker run -it --rm --name windows -e "VERSION=11" -p 8006:8006 --device=/dev/kvm --device=/dev/net/tun --cap-add NET_ADMIN -v "${PWD:-.}/windows:/storage" --stop-timeout 120 docker.io/dockurr/windowsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between macOS and dockur/windows?
macOS: Runs macOS in a Docker container on a Linux host, viewed through a web browser. dockur/windows: Runs full Windows inside a Docker container, with a browser-based viewer and automatic install. macOS suits developers who need to test software on macos from a linux machine, while dockur/windows suits people who need a windows environment on a linux server or pc without installing windows directly.
Are macOS and dockur/windows free?
macOS: Free and open source. dockur/windows: Free and open source.
Is macOS or dockur/windows more popular?
dockur/windows has more GitHub stars (54k) than macOS (21.7k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to macOS and dockur/windows?
Other options people compare them with include Quickemu, Laradock, WinBoat.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.