Red Hat takes on Docker Desktop with its enterprise Podman Desktop build

The New Stack

by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Red Hat has entered the containerization race with its new enterprise-grade Podman Desktop, a direct competitor to Docker Desktop. This release marks Red Hat's official supported version of the open-source container engine, designed to integrate seamlessly with its Kubernetes distribution OpenShift and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). The tool provides a unified interface for managing containers, images, pods, and local Kubernetes clusters, aiming to simplify container-native workflows for corporate developers. The move comes in response to customer demand for a vendor-backed solution that offers official support, security fixes, and compliance with enterprise policies. Unlike the unsupported open-source version, Red Hat's build includes access to product engineers and container experts, ensuring predictable lifecycle management and alignment with corporate platforms. It is currently available in technical preview through Red Hat's developer channels, targeting organizations seeking a Docker-style workflow without relying on the full Docker toolchain. Podman Desktop's integration with OpenShift and local Kubernetes environments positions it as a powerful tool for enterprise developers. The platform allows users to group containers into pods, generate Kubernetes YAML, and deploy to both local clusters like Kind or Minikube and remote OpenShift clusters. Additionally, Red Hat has introduced curated extensions for building Open Container Initiative-compliant container images tied to RHEL's image mode, further enhancing its enterprise appeal. For organizations struggling with balancing developer agility and network security, Podman Desktop serves as a policy enforcement point. Administrators can define configurations, such as registry mirrors, internal registries, and custom security certificates, which are enforced across fleets of machines. This ensures compliance with corporate policies while maintaining a seamless development experience for users. Red Hat's enterprise build of Podman Desktop addresses a critical gap in the market by offering a supported, secure, and integrable container management solution. For DevOps professionals, this tool represents a significant advancement in aligning local development environments with production clusters, ultimately streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration within enterprises. As Red Hat continues to strengthen its position in the cloud-native space, Podman Desktop emerges as a compelling alternative for organizations seeking a robust, enterprise-ready containerization platform.

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Originally published on The New Stack on 2/20/2026