Docker FAQ

The latest stable version of Docker is 29.2.1. There are currently 3 actively supported versions and 23 versions that have reached end of life. Visit the Docker Version Tracker on ReleaseRun for a complete breakdown of all versions, including release dates, support timelines, and end-of-life dates.

Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education, and small businesses with fewer than 250 employees and less than $10 million in annual revenue. Larger organizations require a paid subscription (Pro, Team, or Business). Docker Engine (CLI) is free and open source for all users regardless of company size.

Docker Engine is the core container runtime (daemon + CLI) that runs on Linux. Docker Desktop is a GUI application for macOS and Windows that bundles Docker Engine inside a Linux VM, plus Docker Compose, Docker Scout, Kubernetes, and a graphical interface. On Linux servers, you typically use Docker Engine directly.

Use Compose V2. Docker Compose V1 (the standalone docker-compose binary) reached end of life in June 2023. Compose V2 is integrated into the Docker CLI as 'docker compose' (with a space). V2 is faster, supports profiles, and is actively maintained. If you have old scripts using 'docker-compose', update them to 'docker compose'.

On Linux, upgrade through your package manager (apt-get upgrade docker-ce or yum update docker-ce). Always stop running containers gracefully before upgrading. Docker supports in-place upgrades without data loss as container images and volumes persist across engine upgrades. Check release notes for breaking changes before major version upgrades.

Yes. Docker remains the dominant container runtime with the largest ecosystem, tooling, and community support. Podman is a strong alternative, particularly for rootless containers and environments that prefer a daemonless architecture. Many organizations use both. Docker's OCI-compatible images work with Podman and vice versa.

BuildKit became the default builder in Docker Engine 23.0 (February 2023). It was available as an opt-in feature since Docker 18.09. If you are running Docker 23.0 or later, BuildKit is enabled by default. For older versions, set DOCKER_BUILDKIT=1 before running docker build.

Docker Engine does not have a formal LTS or fixed support policy like Node.js or Python. In practice, Docker Inc. maintains the latest major version and provides patches for the previous major version for several months. For production stability, stay within one major version of the latest release.