Podman is an open-source container engine that allows users to manage containers and images without the need for a daemon. It provides a command-line interface that is compatible with the Docker CLI, allowing users to easily switch between container engines.
Use it when :
- - You want to manage containers and images without the need for a daemon.
- - You want to use a container engine that is compatible with the Docker CLI.
- - You want a tool that can run containers as a non-root user, improving the security of your environment.
- - You want a lightweight tool that is easy to install and use.
- - You want to support multiple container formats, including Docker and OCI.
- - You want to manage containers without needing root privileges.
- - You want a tool that supports the creation of pods, which allow you to group multiple containers together.
Consider :
- - Podman may have limited support for some Docker features, such as swarm mode.
- - Some Docker images may not work as expected in Podman, as they may rely on Docker-specific features.
- - Podman may have less mature community support compared to Docker.
- - Some features may be less well-documented than Docker, making it harder for new users to get started.
- - Podman may require additional tooling to manage container orchestration and scaling.