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Head-to-head · Container Runtime Software

Incus vs Mirantis Container Runtime

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Incus #7 in Container Runtime Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Incus
Mirantis Container Runtime #8 in Container Runtime Software 8.4/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Mirantis

Incus leads on 1 check, Mirantis Container Runtime on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIncus · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly Incus
  • Most featuresMirantis Container Runtime · 2 of 4

Incus scores higher on our rubric for container runtime software: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

Incus offers free plan; Mirantis Container Runtime doesn't.

Incus is the better fit for linux system containers and virtual machines. Mirantis Container Runtime is the better fit for supported enterprise container operations.

  • Incus fits best

    Linux system containers and virtual machines

  • Mirantis Container Runtime fits best

    Supported enterprise container operations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Incus 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Mirantis Container Runtime 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #7 in Container Runtime Software #8 in Container Runtime Software
Best for Linux system containers and virtual machines Supported enterprise container operations
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $1,125/device/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted, Cloud
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux, Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 5 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Incus 1/4 · Mirantis Container Runtime 2/4
Rootless mode ✓ ✓
OCI support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Desktop GUI Not checked yet Not checked yet
Windows containers Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Runtime mode Not checked yet Not checked yet
Host platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines system containers, OCI applications, and virtual machines
  • Adds clustering, snapshots, migration, storage, and network management
  • Integrates with Ansible, Terraform, OpenTofu, Packer, and Kubernetes Cluster API
  • Docker CLI and REST API access with containerd-based image storage
  • Kubernetes CRI, Docker Swarm, rootless operation, and Windows support
  • Image signing controls, FIPS 140-2 cryptography, and gVisor support
Cons
  • The Incus daemon runs on Linux
  • Windows and macOS support is for clients, not the server
  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of app-container-only deployments
  • No free plan or no-cost edition
  • Starting price is $1,125 per node annually
  • 24x7 enterprise support costs $2,250 per node annually
Our verdict

Incus is an open-source manager for system containers, OCI application containers, and virtual machines. It is aimed at developers, infrastructure teams, and production environments that need to run and manage Linux systems or virtual…

Read the review →

Mirantis Container Runtime is an enterprise container engine for running business-critical workloads on supported Linux distributions and Windows Server. It suits organizations that need a Docker-compatible client-server engine, REST API…

Read the review →
  1. IncusContainer Runtime Software 8.5Free plan
  2. Mirantis Container RuntimeContainer Runtime Software 8.4Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Incus — where it wins

    • Combines system containers, OCI applications, and virtual machines
    • Adds clustering, snapshots, migration, storage, and network management
    • Integrates with Ansible, Terraform, OpenTofu, Packer, and Kubernetes Cluster API

    Where it doesn't

    • The Incus daemon runs on Linux
    • Windows and macOS support is for clients, not the server
    • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of app-container-only deployments

  • Mirantis Container Runtime — where it wins

    • Docker CLI and REST API access with containerd-based image storage
    • Kubernetes CRI, Docker Swarm, rootless operation, and Windows support
    • Image signing controls, FIPS 140-2 cryptography, and gVisor support

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan or no-cost edition
    • Starting price is $1,125 per node annually
    • 24x7 enterprise support costs $2,250 per node annually
  • Incus8.5/10 · Free plan

    A broad Linux-focused runtime for system containers, OCI apps, and virtual machines.

    Visit IncusFull verdict →
  • Mirantis Container Runtime8.4/10 · Paid

    A supported enterprise container engine with broad runtime and orchestration compatibility.

    Visit MirantisFull verdict →

More comparisons

All container runtime software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update