Podman vs Quay: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Podman and Quay 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:
Podman
Daemonless container management
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • Podman is a daemonless container engine compatible with Docker
- • It runs OCI containers without requiring a daemon or root access
Quay
Container registry by Red Hat
Best for you if:
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Quay is a container registry for storing and distributing container images
- • It provides security scanning, geo-replication, and access controls
| At a Glance |  Podman |  Quay |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Terminal Tools | CI/CD |
Rating | 84/100 | 74/100 |
| Feature | Podman | Quay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 74 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsHosting & Deployment | CI/CDContainer Orchestration |
How Podman and Quay Compare
Podman
Daemonless container management
Free · 84/100 score
Quay
Container registry by Red Hat
Free tier available · 74/100 score
Podman is a terminal tools tool. Quay is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Podman is free. Quay is freemium.
Go with: Podman
Want the highest-rated option?
Podman: 84/100. Quay: 74/100.
Go with: Podman
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Podman
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Podman is free. Quay is freemium. Go with Podman if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Podman is a terminal tools tool. Quay is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Podman scores higher: 84/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Podman
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 74
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Quay
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Podman (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Podman or Quay better?
Podman scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Podman is free and Quay is freemium.
What are Podman and Quay used for?
Podman: Daemonless container management. Quay: Container registry by Red Hat.
What does Podman cost vs Quay?
Podman is completely free. Quay is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.