Docker vs Podman vs Containerd vs Nerdctl - 2025 Edition

• 27/11/2025
• 11-minute read

The container ecosystem has matured dramatically since Docker first revolutionized application deployment. Security concerns, performance requirements, and operational complexity have made container runtime selection a critical infrastructure decision in 2025.

Four main contenders serve different needs: Docker, Podman, containerd, and nerdctl. Each offers distinct advantages for specific use cases, from development workflows to production Kubernetes clusters.

Quick Comparison

*CRI-O is separate from Podman but commonly used together in Kubernetes environments

The Security Advantage

Security is the paramount concern. Architectural differences create significant security implications.

Docker’s traditional daemon requires root privileges, creating an attack vector. The daemon runs with elevated permissions, meaning vulnerabilities could compromise the entire system.

However, Docker’s rootless mode (production-ready since v27.0) significantly improves security posture:

• Production Ready: Docker Engine 27.0+ offers full feature parity in rootless mode with minimal overhead (2-5%)
• Enhanced Isolation: User namespace handling and improved container breakout containment
• Security Hardening: Custom seccomp profiles, enhanced AppArmor/SELinux support
• Better Compliance: Meets enterprise security standards and audit requirements

Podman operates without a daemon and supports rootless containers by default. This provides a security-first architecture from the ground up.

“Docker requires a daemon and runs as root, podman does not require a daemon and is rootless. It’s a big difference that matters to security.” - DevOps Community Discussion

The architectural difference translates to real-world security benefits. Eliminating a privileged daemon reduces attack surface.

Performance Differences

Performance varies by workload and environment. Resource-constrained systems benefit from Podman and containerd’s lightweight nature.

Benchmarks (2024)

Based on Phoronix Test Suite across multiple environments:

*Measured on standardized multi-stage builds

Context:

• Startup times: Small Alpine containers; larger images show diminishing differences
• Memory overhead: Based on idle containers; active workloads vary
• CPU efficiency: Sustained load with microservices
• Real-world variance: Storage backend and kernel version matter

Containerd is Kubernetes’ default runtime. Paired with nerdctl, it delivers the best performance with familiar workflows.

2025: What’s New?

The container landscape evolved significantly in 2024-2025 with several key developments:

Docker’s Major Updates

Docker Desktop 4.34+ introduced:

• Native Apple Silicon performance improvements (30% faster builds on M3 chips)
• Enhanced WSL2 integration with automatic GPU passthrough
• Built-in WebAssembly support via wasm-to-oci
• Experimental rootless Desktop support (beta in 28.0)
• Better namespace isolation and security hardening

Docker Engine 27.1 brought:

• Production-ready rootless mode with full feature parity
• Enhanced security hardening and isolation capabilities
• Built-in BuildKit cache sharing between dev and CI
• Enhanced security scanning integration
• Custom seccomp profiles for rootless containers
• Better AppArmor/SELinux support

Podman’s Advancements

Podman 5.0 delivered:

• Windows desktop application nearing feature parity with macOS
• Improved Kubernetes YAML generation (podman generate kube)
• Native GPU support for NVIDIA and AMD
• WebAssembly module support through WASI integration

containerd Ecosystem Growth

containerd 2.0 features:

• First-class WASI runtime support
• Improved image streaming and lazy pulling
• Enhanced observability with OpenTelemetry integration
• Native Apple Silicon runtime optimization

nerdctl Maturity

nerdctl 2.0 introduced:

• Full Docker Compose v2 compatibility
• BuildKit integration by default
• Advanced networking capabilities
• Improved Windows container support

Platform Support

Cross-platform compatibility affects development workflows.

Desktop Experience

Docker Desktop remains the most polished macOS/Windows experience. Podman Desktop closed much of the gap in 2024 but still lags in third-party integrations.

Production Environments

All runtimes excel in Linux production. Containerd dominates Kubernetes clusters. nerdctl bridges Docker workflows with containerd performance.

Observability and Monitoring

Monitoring capabilities differ significantly between runtimes, affecting production operations and debugging.

Native Monitoring Features

Integration with Monitoring Stack

Prometheus Integration:

# Docker
docker run -d -p 9323:9323 prom/node-exporter \
  --path.rootfs=/host \
  --collector.filesystem.ignored-mount-points='^/(sys|proc|dev|host|etc)($$|/)'

# Podman
podman run -d -p 9323:9323 prom/node-exporter \
  --path.rootfs=/host \
  --collector.filesystem.ignored-mount-points='^/(sys|proc|dev|host|etc)($$|/)'

# containerd ([crictl stats](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/cri-tools/blob/master/docs/crictl.md#stats))
crictl stats --output json

Grafana Dashboards:

• Docker: Comprehensive dashboards available via docker-exporter
• Podman: Similar to Docker, requires configuration
• containerd: Native CRI metrics integration
• nerdctl: Leverages containerd’s monitoring capabilities

Debugging and Troubleshooting

Container Inspection:

# Docker
docker inspect <container>
docker logs <container>
docker exec <container> -- ps aux

# Podman (similar syntax)
podman inspect <container>
podman logs <container>
podman exec <container> -- ps aux

# containerd (via [crictl](https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/cri-tools/blob/master/docs/crictl.md))
crictl inspect <container_id>
crictl logs <container_id>
crictl exec <container_id> -- ps aux

# nerdctl (Docker-compatible)
nerdctl inspect <container>
nerdctl logs <container>
nerdctl exec <container> -- ps aux

Performance Profiling:

• Docker: Built-in stats command, but daemon overhead affects accuracy
• Podman: More accurate stats due to daemonless architecture
• containerd: Most accurate measurements with CRI integration
• nerdctl: Inherits containerd’s accuracy with familiar interface

GPU Workloads and Specialized Hardware

AI/ML workloads and GPU acceleration have become increasingly important considerations in 2025.

GPU Support Comparison

GPU Workload Examples

Machine Learning Training:

# Docker with NVIDIA
docker run --gpus all -v $(pwd):/workspace pytorch/pytorch:latest \
  python train.py --batch-size 32

# Podman with NVIDIA (native)
podman run --device=nvidia.com/gpu=all -v $(pwd):/workspace pytorch/pytorch:latest \
  python train.py --batch-size 32

# containerd (via k8s)
# Requires device plugin and Kubernetes deployment

Inference Workloads:

# Docker ([--gpus flag](https://docs.docker.com/config/containers/resource_constraints/#gpu))
docker run --gpus '"device=0"' -p 8080:8080 tensorflow/serving:latest

# Podman (native GPU isolation)
podman run --device=nvidia.com/gpu=0 -p 8080:8080 tensorflow/serving:latest

WebAssembly (WASI) Support

WASI (WebAssembly System Interface) support has matured significantly across runtimes.

WebAssembly Examples:

# containerd (crictl)
crictl runp wasm-workload.json

# nerdctl (WASM module)
nerdctl run --runtime=io.containerd.wasmtime.v1 \
  ghcr.io/containerd/wasm-shim:latest

# Podman (experimental)
podman run --runtime=wasmtime wasm-example:latest

Learn more about WebAssembly support in container runtimes.

WASI Benefits:

• Security: Hardware-enforced sandboxing
• Performance: Near-native execution speed
• Portability: Platform-independent binaries
• Resource Efficiency: Smaller memory footprint than containers

Cloud Provider Ecosystem

AWS: EKS uses containerd by default since 1.21. ECS supports both runtimes. Fargate is runtime-agnostic.

GCP: GKE containerd-default since 1.19 (preview in 1.14). Cloud Run uses containerd internally. Cloud Build remains Docker-based.

Azure: AKS default containerd since 1.20. ACI runtime-agnostic. Container Apps built on containerd.

Strategic implications:

• Production Kubernetes: containerd is de-facto standard
• Development workflows: Docker dominates due to tooling
• Hybrid deployments: nerdctl bridges local/production gap

When to Choose Each Runtime

When to Choose Docker

Docker makes sense when:

• Your team is deeply invested in the Docker ecosystem
• You require extensive third-party tooling integration
• Rapid prototyping and development workflows are paramount
• You’re using Docker Desktop for local development

When to Choose Podman

Podman shines when:

• Security is a top priority
• You want to avoid daemon-based architectures
• You’re working in rootless environments
• You need systemd integration for Linux system management

When to Choose Containerd

Containerd excels when:

• You’re building or managing Kubernetes clusters
• You need lightweight, stable container operations
• You’re working with cloud-native infrastructure
• You prioritize OCI compliance and standards

When to Choose nerdctl

nerdctl is ideal when:

• You want Docker-compatible commands with containerd performance
• You’re bridging Docker and containerd ecosystems
• You need performance benefits without abandoning familiar workflows
• You’re working in mixed-environment scenarios

Decision Matrix

Docker rootless mode (27.0+) significantly narrows the security gap with Podman for most use cases.

Scenario-Based Recommendations

Scenario 1: Startup Web Application

• Team Size: 5-15 developers
• Environment: Cloud deployment on Kubernetes
• Constraints: Budget-conscious, security-focused
• Recommendation: nerdctl + containerd
  • Local development with familiar Docker commands
  • Production performance and security
  • No licensing costs

Scenario 2: Enterprise Financial Application

• Team Size: 50+ developers
• Environment: On-premise Kubernetes
• Constraints: Strict compliance, audit requirements
• Recommendation: Podman (development) + containerd (production)
  • Rootless development for security
  • Enterprise support via Red Hat
  • Audit-friendly architecture

Scenario 3: AI/ML Platform

• Team Size: 10-25 engineers
• Environment: GPU-enabled cloud infrastructure
• Constraints: Performance-critical, mixed workloads
• Recommendation: containerd with device plugins
  • Native GPU support
  • Kubernetes integration
  • Support for both containers and WebAssembly

Scenario 4: E-commerce Platform

• Team Size: 20-40 developers
• Environment: Multi-cloud Kubernetes
• Constraints: Rapid iteration, reliability focus
• Recommendation: Docker rootless (development) + containerd (production)
  • Developer productivity with familiar tools
  • Improved security with rootless Docker for local development
  • Production stability and performance
  • Gradual migration path available

Command Compatibility

Most Docker commands have direct equivalents:

# Docker
docker run -d nginx:latest
docker build -t myapp .
docker ps

# Podman (drop-in replacement)
podman run -d nginx:latest
podman build -t myapp .
podman ps

# nerdctl (Docker-compatible)
nerdctl run -d nginx:latest
nerdctl build -t myapp .
nerdctl ps

Advanced Scenarios

Multi-stage Builds with Caching

# Docker with BuildKit
DOCKER_BUILDKIT=1 docker build \
  --cache-from registry.example.com/myapp:cache \
  --cache-to registry.example.com/myapp:cache,mode=max \
  -t myapp:latest \
  --target production \
  .

# Podman with BuildKit
podman build \
  --cache-from registry.example.com/myapp:cache \
  --cache-to registry.example.com/myapp:cache \
  -t myapp:latest \
  --target production \
  .

# nerdctl with BuildKit (containerd)
nerdctl build \
  --cache-from registry.example.com/myapp:cache \
  --cache-to registry.example.com/myapp:cache \
  -t myapp:latest \
  --target production \
  .

Docker Compose Alternatives

# Using Podman Compose
podman-compose -f docker-compose.yml up -d
podman-compose exec web bash
podman-compose down

# Using nerdctl compose (experimental)
nerdctl compose -f docker-compose.yml up -d
nerdctl compose exec web bash
nerdctl compose down

Migration Challenges

Image Registry Compatibility: All runtimes work with standard registries, but Docker-specific features (buildx) may need adjustment.

Volume Management: Docker volumes work across runtimes, but path handling and permissions differ in rootless environments.

Networking: Docker Compose workflows require Podman Compose or equivalent tools.

Migration Best Practices

1. Start with Development: Test locally before production deployment
2. Use Compatibility Layers: Leverage Docker-compatible APIs where possible
3. Gradual Rollout: Implement feature flags for runtime-specific features
4. Monitor Performance: Establish baseline metrics before migration
5. Team Training: Invest in upskilling teams on new runtimes

The Future

The 2025 containerization landscape reflects ecosystem maturation. Docker maintains familiarity, but trends favor daemonless architectures, enhanced security, and cloud-native integration.

According to CNCF Cloud Native Survey 2024, containerd adoption grew to 45% (up from 38% in 2023). A Red Hat study showed containerd surpassing Docker for the first time in production (47% vs. 42%).

“By 2025, Docker’s role has evolved significantly. Kubernetes, Podman, and other runtimes have matured to handle production workloads effectively.” - Container Industry Analysis

This isn’t Docker’s decline but ecosystem evolution. The emphasis shifted from running containers to doing so securely and efficiently.

Making the Right Choice

Choose based on specific requirements, team expertise, and operational constraints.

For development teams balancing familiarity and security, Podman offers an excellent compromise. For production requiring maximum reliability and performance, containerd with nerdctl provides a robust foundation.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each runtime has its place. Successful approaches often combine these tools strategically.

Cost and Licensing

Docker Desktop Licensing

• Personal Use: Free for personal, education, open-source projects
• Business Use: $5/user/month minimum (as of 2024)
• Enterprise: Advanced features with higher-tier pricing

Open Source Alternatives

• Podman: Completely free with enterprise support available
• containerd: Apache 2.0 licensed, free for all use cases
• nerdctl: Apache 2.0 licensed, free for all use cases

Final Recommendations

The ideal container runtime strategy depends on your organization’s unique needs, but here are the key takeaways:

For Maximum Flexibility: Consider a multi-runtime approach. Use Docker rootless for rapid development, Podman for security-sensitive workloads, and containerd for production Kubernetes environments.

For Security-First Organizations: Both Podman and Docker rootless provide excellent security. Podman offers daemonless architecture by design, while Docker’s production-ready rootless mode (27.0+) provides comparable security with familiar workflows.

For Performance-Critical Operations: containerd with nerdctl delivers the best performance, especially in Kubernetes environments, while keeping familiar command-line interfaces.

For Hybrid Cloud Strategies: containerd’s cloud-native design and broad provider adoption make it the most future-proof choice for multi-cloud deployments.

The Road Ahead

The container runtime market will continue evolving:

• 2025-2026: Expect deeper WebAssembly integration across all runtimes
• Standardization: OCI specifications will continue driving interoperability
• Security Focus: Zero-trust architectures and supply chain security will become table stakes
• AI Integration: Runtime support for ML workloads and GPU acceleration will improve
• Edge Computing: Lightweight runtimes for edge deployments will gain prominence

Your choice today should balance immediate needs with future flexibility. The good news? All major runtimes are converging on standards, making migrations easier than ever before.

The question isn’t just which runtime to choose, but how to leverage the right runtime for the right workload at the right time.