Clover Bootloader review
A free, highly configurable boot manager for multiboot systems.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Clover Bootloader is a free, open-source boot manager for systems running macOS, Windows, and Linux. It supports both UEFI firmware and legacy BIOS mode, giving multiboot users a graphical picker for selecting operating systems and volumes. The project is best suited to people who want more control over boot entries, the default boot volume, and the visual presentation of their boot menu than a basic firmware picker provides.
Its strongest distinction is the depth of its boot-menu customization. Clover can configure custom entries, hide boot entries, set a default loader, and create Clover entries in NVRAM. The graphical interface can be adjusted with themes, icons, fonts, backgrounds, animations, and mouse pointers. EFI command-shell launching extends the tool beyond simple operating-system selection, making it relevant for users managing detailed boot workflows across supported platforms.
Clover also has broad platform and firmware coverage, but that flexibility comes with a configuration-focused experience. Installation documentation covers separate legacy BIOS and UEFI setups, while the available controls span boot entries, NVRAM, visual assets, and EFI tools. Users seeking a straightforward way to select between operating systems may find this scope greater than necessary. Choose Clover when free, open-source multiboot support and boot-menu control are priorities; choose a simpler boot option when customization and firmware-level controls are not central to the setup.
Clover Bootloader pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux across UEFI and legacy BIOS systems
- Offers custom entries, default loaders, hidden entries, and NVRAM management
- Adds themes, visual assets, mouse support, and EFI shell launching
- Where it doesn't
- Its extensive configuration is aimed at users comfortable with boot settings
- Legacy BIOS and UEFI installations follow different configuration paths
- Its scope is boot management rather than broader operating-system administration
Clover Bootloader fact sheet, pricing and score →
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