Dry vs Podman: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Dry and Podman comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Dry
Manage Docker and Docker Swarm directly from your terminal with a powerful TUI.
Best for you if:
- • Terminal-based Docker and Docker Swarm manager.
- • Provides comprehensive views of containers, images, networks, and Swarm components.
Podman
Daemonless container management
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Podman is a daemonless container engine compatible with Docker
- • It runs OCI containers without requiring a daemon or root access
| At a Glance |  Dry |  Podman |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Dry | Podman |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsContainer Orchestration | Terminal ToolsHosting & Deployment |
How Dry and Podman Compare
Dry
Manage Docker and Docker Swarm directly from your terminal with a powerful TUI.
Free
Podman
Daemonless container management
Free · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Dry
Want the highest-rated option?
Podman scores 84/100. Dry is unrated.
Go with: Podman
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Podman
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are terminal tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Podman
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Dry
The Bottom Line
Podman (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dry or Podman better?
Podman scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Dry and Podman used for?
Dry: Manage Docker and Docker Swarm directly from your terminal with a powerful TUI.. Podman: Daemonless container management.
What does Dry cost vs Podman?
Dry is completely free. Podman is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.