VirtualBox vs UTM
Both are free virtualization tools. Here is how they actually differ.
VirtualBox and UTM at a glance
| Feature | VirtualBox | UTM |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Oracle | UTM |
| Licence | Open Source | Open Source |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Windows | Yes | No |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | No |
| Mobile | No | Yes |
| Source code | Public | Public |
VirtualBox: what it's good at
VirtualBox runs complete guest operating systems inside your current one — ideal for testing software safely, running legacy applications, or learning Linux without touching your existing installation.
- Runs Windows, Linux and BSD guests
- Snapshots to roll back a machine instantly
- Shared folders and clipboard with the host
- Free and open source
UTM: what it's good at
UTM is the practical way to run Windows or Linux on a Mac, and one of very few options built properly for Apple Silicon. It wraps QEMU in a native macOS interface, supporting both fast virtualisation of matching architectures and slower emulation of others.
- Native Apple Silicon support
- Virtualise or emulate other architectures
- Native macOS interface
- Free and open source
Which should you choose?
Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.
Both run on macOS. Only VirtualBox supports Windows, Linux. Only UTM supports iOS. Both are open source, so neither locks you in.
We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is VirtualBox better than UTM?
Neither is universally better. VirtualBox run Windows, Linux and other systems in a window, while UTM virtual machines on macOS, including Apple Silicon. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.
Are both really free?
VirtualBox is open source and UTM is open source. Both can be downloaded without paying.
Can I install both?
Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.