How docker works on different systems

Linux

flowchart LR
subgraph OS Linux
	Docker
end

No virtual machines, pivot_root is used for creating an isolated environment.

Windows

flowchart LR
subgraph OS Windows
	subgraph VM Hyper-V
		subgraph OS Linux
			Docker
		end
	end
end

Windows Linux Subsystem is also Hyper-V.

MacOS

x86-based

flowchart LR
subgraph OS MacOS
	subgraph VM HyperKit
		subgraph OS Linux
			Docker
		end
	end
end

ARM-based

flowchart LR
subgraph OS MacOS
	subgraph VM HyperKit
		subgraph OS Linux for ARM
			subgraph VM QEMU
				subgraph OS Linux
					Docker
				end
			end
		end
	end
end

NOTE

Solutions for macOS, that make process less complex

• OrbStack
• Podman
• colima