UTM review
A free, open-source Mac app for virtualization and broader QEMU-based emulation.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
UTM pros and cons
- 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
UTM fact sheet, pricing and score →
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.
Last updated · How we research and update