Kubernetes Without Docker: Why Container Runtimes Are Changing the Game in 2025

1. nerdctl

   1 38 9,083 9.9 Go

   contaiNERD CTL - Docker-compatible CLI for containerd, with support for Compose, Rootless, eStargz, OCIcrypt, IPFS, ...

   

   nerdctl CLI for containerd (Docker replacement) Feels like Docker. But lighter. And hipster-approved.

2. InfluxDB

   www.influxdata.com featured

   InfluxDB – Built for High-Performance Time Series Workloads. InfluxDB 3 OSS is now GA. Transform, enrich, and act on time series data directly in the database. Automate critical tasks and eliminate the need to move data externally. Download now.

   

3. podman

   2 402 27,586 10.0 Go

   Podman: A tool for managing OCI containers and pods.

   

   Podman (aka: “We have Docker at home”) Docker CLI compatibility. Rootless. No daemon. No drama.

4. buildkit

   3 63 9,230 9.8 Go

   concurrent, cache-efficient, and Dockerfile-agnostic builder toolkit

   

   BuildKit Faster Docker Builds Build speed + cache control = win.

5. kaniko

   4 60 15,616 7.1 Go

   Discontinued Build Container Images In Kubernetes

   

   Kaniko Build Images in Kubernetes Without Docker For secure image builds inside CI/CD pipelines.

6. gvisor

   5 79 16,702 9.8 Go

   Application Kernel for Containers

   

   gVisor: Sandboxed Container Runtime by Google For when your security team actually audits things.

7. containerd

   6 149 18,945 9.9 Go

   An open and reliable container runtime

   

   containerd Official Site The runtime powering most cloud K8s clusters and your future mental breakdowns.

8. distroless

   7 131 20,861 8.9 Starlark

   🥑 Language focused docker images, minus the operating system.

   

   Distroless Images by Google “No OS for you!” = fewer vulnerabilities, smaller images.

9. Stream

   getstream.io featured

   Stream - Scalable APIs for Chat, Feeds, Moderation, & Video. Stream helps developers build engaging apps that scale to millions with performant and flexible Chat, Feeds, Moderation, and Video APIs and SDKs powered by a global edge network and enterprise-grade infrastructure.

   

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