rancher ☆
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Description:
Kubernetes and container management on the desktop
Type: Cask  |  Latest Version: 1.22.0@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  @Rancher_Labs  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: kubernetes docker containers development devops local-cluster
Install: brew install --cask rancher
About:
Rancher Desktop provides a simple, graphical interface for building and managing containers and Kubernetes clusters on your local machine. It bundles essential tools like Docker and kubectl, handling the complex setup and configuration automatically. This allows developers to focus on building applications rather than managing the underlying container infrastructure.
Key Features:
  • Bundled container runtime (containerd/moby) and kubectl
  • Simple UI for switching between container runtimes and Kubernetes versions
  • Automatic provisioning and management of local Kubernetes clusters
  • Built-in support for building multi-architecture container images
Use Cases:
  • Local Kubernetes development and testing
  • Containerizing applications without complex Docker Desktop licensing
  • Learning and experimenting with Kubernetes
Alternatives:
  • Docker Desktop – Docker Desktop is the industry standard but has licensing restrictions for large businesses; Rancher Desktop is a free, open-source alternative.
  • Minikube – Minikube is a Kubernetes-only tool, whereas Rancher Desktop also provides a full container development environment with a GUI.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Jan 20, 2026 1:39am 1.22.0 0 VERSION_BUMP 0f928627
Sep 15, 2025 1:02pm 1.20.0 0 VERSION_BUMP fd8d4ca6
Aug 25, 2025 7:44pm 1.20.0 0 VERSION_BUMP fb5ff4ec
Aug 13, 2024 7:01pm 1.15.1 0 VERSION_BUMP eb129f0b
Aug 1, 2024 12:57am 1.15.0 0 VERSION_BUMP c3393830
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