Runtime comparison - verified
Ollama vs Docker Model Runner
Ollama and Docker Model Runner (Docker), compared field by field from their official docs as of October 18, 2026. Their docs differ on 3 feature points, listed below; the table also shows versions, install methods and links.
Key differences
- License: Ollama uses MIT; Docker Model Runner uses Apache-2.0.
- Backends: Docker Model Runner lists Other and Ollama does not.
- Model formats: Docker Model Runner lists Other and Ollama does not.
Generated from the fields below that differ. Versions, dates and links are left to the table.
Side by side
Every field we track, with the source linked on each value. Rows marked Differs are where the two runtimes' docs differ.
| Field | Ollama | Docker Model Runner |
|---|---|---|
| VendorDiffers | Ollama | Docker |
| LicenseDiffers | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Latest releaseDiffers | v0.40.6 | v1.2.8 |
| Release dateDiffers | October 16, 2026 | August 12, 2026 |
| Interface | CLI, Server, Desktop app, Docker | CLI, Desktop app, Server, Docker |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| BackendsDiffers | CPU, CUDA, ROCm, Metal, Vulkan | CPU, CUDA, ROCm, Metal, Vulkan, Other |
| Model formatsDiffers | GGUF, Safetensors | GGUF, Safetensors, Other |
| OpenAI-compatible API | Yeshttp://localhost:11434/v1 | Yeshttp://localhost:12434/engines/v1 |
| Anthropic-compatible API | Yes | Yes |
| Tool calling | Yes | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Vision (image input) | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-GPU | Yes | Yes |
| MCP client | Not stated | Not stated |
| Install methods listedDiffers | macOS; Windows; Linux; Docker (CPU only) | linux (Ubuntu/Debian, Docker Engine); linux (RPM-based, Docker Engine); macos (arm64, standalone dmr); windows (amd64, standalone dmr) |
| Run exampleDiffers | ollama run gemma4 | docker model run ai/smollm2 |
| Audience, per the vendorDiffers | Developers who want to download and run open models from the command line, with a local REST API on port 11434 and built-in launchers for coding agents such as Claude Code and Codex. | Docker Model Runner is for developers who want to pull, run and serve AI models with Docker tooling from Docker Hub, any OCI-compliant registry or Hugging Face. |
| HomepageDiffers | ollama.com | docs.docker.com/ai/model-runner |
| Source repositoryDiffers | github.com/ollama/ollama | github.com/docker/model-runner |
Install both
Copied verbatim from the page linked under each command.
Ollama
Docker (CPU only)
docker run -d -v ollama:/root/.ollama -p 11434:11434 --name ollama ollama/ollamaSource: docs.ollama.com/docker
Docker Model Runner
linux (Ubuntu/Debian, Docker Engine)
sudo apt-get install docker-model-pluginlinux (RPM-based, Docker Engine)
sudo dnf install docker-model-pluginmacos (arm64, standalone dmr)
brew install docker/tap/dmrSource: github.com/docker/model-runner
windows (amd64, standalone dmr)
winget install Docker.dmrSource: github.com/docker/model-runner
FAQ
What is the difference between Ollama and Docker Model Runner?
Going by their official docs: License: Ollama uses MIT; Docker Model Runner uses Apache-2.0. Backends: Docker Model Runner lists Other and Ollama does not. Model formats: Docker Model Runner lists Other and Ollama does not.
Do Ollama and Docker Model Runner both have an OpenAI-compatible API?
Ollama: yes. http://localhost:11434/v1. Docker Model Runner: yes. http://localhost:12434/engines/v1.
Which platforms do Ollama and Docker Model Runner run on?
Ollama: macOS, Windows, Linux. Docker Model Runner: macOS, Windows, Linux. Both list macOS, Windows and Linux.
Are Ollama and Docker Model Runner open source?
Ollama is open source (MIT). Docker Model Runner is open source (Apache-2.0).
Do Ollama and Docker Model Runner support tool calling and MCP?
Tool calling: Ollama yes, Docker Model Runner yes. MCP client: Ollama not stated, Docker Model Runner not stated. "Not stated" means the docs do not say.
What are the latest versions of Ollama and Docker Model Runner?
As of October 18, 2026: Ollama v0.40.6 (October 16, 2026) and Docker Model Runner v1.2.8 (August 12, 2026).
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