UTM
UTM: A free, open-source Mac app for virtualization and broader QEMU-based emulation. Ranked #21 of 24 in Virtual Machine Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for open-source macOS virtualization and emulation.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forOpen-source macOS virtualization and emulation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Host platformsmacOS
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source for macOS
- Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, ARM64, and x86/x64 guests
- Combines Apple virtualization with QEMU emulation
Where it doesn't
- Host support is limited to macOS
- Feature availability varies by guest, backend, and Mac hardware
- Accelerated graphics are experimental or configuration-dependent
Our verdict on UTM
UTM is a free, open-source desktop application for creating, configuring, running, copying, exporting, and removing virtual machines on macOS. It supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and can run Windows, Linux, macOS, and other operating systems. Its audience includes Mac users who want a native desktop interface for virtual machines, as well as technical users who need QEMU-based full system emulation across ARM64 and x86/x64 architectures.
The main strength is its combination of virtualization and emulation options. UTM uses Apple’s Hypervisor and Virtualization frameworks where supported, while QEMU provides broader system emulation. The published feature set includes USB device support, shared directories, clipboard sharing, virtual machine state saving, nested virtualization, and accelerated or experimental guest graphics through OpenGL, Vulkan, and related backends. This makes it suitable for a range of guest operating systems and processor architectures rather than a single operating-system pairing.
UTM is a focused choice for macOS users who value open-source software and want both conventional virtualization and wider emulation in one desktop tool. Its platform fit is narrower than products that support multiple host operating systems, because the host platform is macOS. Some capabilities also depend on the guest type, selected backend, host macOS version, or CPU generation: state saving, nested virtualization, and accelerated graphics are not uniform across every configuration. Choose UTM when Mac-based guest flexibility and open-source access matter most; consider an alternative when broader host-platform coverage or more consistent graphics support is the priority.
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UTM pricing
UTM fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Host platforms | macOS |
| Guest architecture | Both |
| VM snapshots | Yes |
| Nested virtualization | Yes |
| GPU acceleration | Yes |
| Management interface | Desktop |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | mac.getutm.app |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to UTM
- Proxmox VEA broad self-hosted virtualization stack with free core software and paid support options.9.3
- Oracle VirtualBoxA capable free desktop hypervisor with broad host support and advanced VM controls.8.9
- VMware Workstation ProA free desktop hypervisor with strong VM lifecycle, security, and developer tooling.8.8
Also Ranked In
UTM is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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