Docker Engine is just a Command line interface (CLI) based software for managing your docker files. If you are a programmer and use git, then just think of docker cli as git. Then the Docker Desktop comes into the picture, it is a Graphical user interface (GUI) based application. It contains Docker Engine, Docker CLI client, Docker Compose, Docker Content Trust, Kubernetes, docker what is it and Credential Helper. Docker Desktop is an easy-to-install application for your Mac, Linux, or Windows environment that lets you build and share containerized applications and microservices. Docker Desktop is a one-click-install application for your Mac, Linux, or Windows environment
that lets you build, share, and run containerized applications and microservices.

It simplifies the Docker experience for new developers who are just getting started. It will show you the current docker images, volumes attached, and the environment info. This means you are now successfully running Docker Desktop. You can click the docker fav menu icon to see Preferences and other options.

Differences between Docker CLI and Docker Desktop

Docker is a tool that is used to automate the deployment of applications in lightweight containers so that applications can work efficiently in different environments in isolation. For development purposes, (building and running images), use Podman. These images are at the core of the Docker ecosystem, as they foster team collaboration and speedy development and deployment. The kind of experience it brings is simply commendable and that’s why Docker images and their underlying utility are so popular in the developer and tech fraternity.

Note that it is not possible to share containers and images between user accounts when using the Docker Desktop WSL 2 backend. Being a developer, you may simply use docker images created by someone and shared publicly or maybe want to create a custom image to be used within the organization. While creating a custom image you rely on the concept of Dockerfile which defines a simple syntax comprising the steps needed to create the image and deploy it on Docker hub/ AWS ECR repo.

Install Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop requires a paid, per-user subscription for organizations with more than 250 employees or more than $10 million in annual revenue per our terms of service. It provides a straightforward GUI (Graphical User Interface) that lets you manage your containers, applications, and images directly from your machine. Our monthly releases include new features to help developers, team leads, and businesses rapidly deliver secure and innovative applications. Docker Desktop is also regularly maintained with bug fixes and security updates.

Running Docker Desktop inside a VMware ESXi or Azure VM is supported for Docker Business customers. It requires enabling nested virtualization on the hypervisor first. For more information, see
Running Docker Desktop in a VM or VDI environment. To run Windows containers, you need Windows 10 or Windows 11 Professional or Enterprise edition. Windows Home or Education editions only allow you to run Linux containers.

Is Docker Desktop free?

Download the .dmg file for the Apple silicon version and the rest you can easily set up using Wizard after you have given your consent against the SLA. Click for the intel version and wait till the docker .dmg file is downloaded. Once done just click the file and the rest will be an easy cakewalk as the wizard will be there to guide you. You must read and agree on the SLA which will be popping on your MAC to proceed.

Companies can use invoices to purchase Docker Business subscriptions starting at 25 seats. Please contact sales for more information and to purchase. Docker Desktop reduces the time spent on complex setups so you can focus on writing code.

Pull Ubuntu Image

All reseller purchases must be completed through an authorized Docker Distributor. Docker partners with Nuaware & Exclusive Networks to give our customers access to a worldwide ecosystem of local resellers where Docker Business can be purchased. Customers may also purchase Docker Business via AWS and its ecosystem of worldwide partners.

Also both Docker Desktop and Docker Engine possible to run simultaneously. But there may be situations where running both at the same time can cause issues. So recommend to stop Docker Engine while using Docker Desktop to prevent the conflicts. Now you can see that our latest pulled image docker/getting-started is in a running state. If you want to install docker desktop on the Linux system, you can easily do so by following the instructions given in the below-given link.

Docker Host

Are you looking for an article with a detailed installation procedure of the Docker tool? Before we look into the differences, let us first try to undertsand the similarities between them and why need either of them in the first place, understanding their place in the docker ecosystem. But if you want to list all the containers, including stopped once? With this, we have covered all the fundamentals one should before knowing Docker Desktop. But before that, get to know more about how to become a devops engineer.

• To evaluate the developer experience, no paid account is necessary.
• After restarting your machine open the installed application and accept the term and condition license.
• Unlike the cryptic nature of CLI, Docker Desktop provides a graphical user interface (GUI).
• See our Docker Subscription Service Agreement for more details.
• It is a native application designed by Docker for both Windows and MAC users.
• Once done just click the file and the rest will be an easy cakewalk as the wizard will be there to guide you.

It is nothing but a read-only template that has all the instructions required to create a docker container(another object which we will cover next). These images use as a private container registry to share container images either publicly or privately. Every packed image in the container is meta-tagged to explain the container’s ability. The primary role of the docker registry is to store docker images.

Docker Desktop is not supported on server versions of Windows, such as Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022. For more information on how to run containers on Windows Server, see
Microsoft’s official documentation. We offer IP exclusions and allow listing as an add-on to Docker Business subscriptions. This lets large organizations use Docker platform services in diverse environments (developer laptops, CI systems, production systems, etc). No, your employees don’t need to sign in when using Docker Desktop to prove your organization is compliant. See our Docker Subscription Service Agreement for more details.