- Free virtual machine apps side by side
- Ten free virtual machine tools to try
- The desktop hypervisor that became free for everyone
- What to check in free virtual machine software
- How to set up your first virtual machine
- Virtual machine mistakes to avoid
- My plain advice on free virtual machine software
- Frequently asked questions
Free virtual machine software runs a second operating system inside a window on your computer, so you can test apps, try Linux or keep risky software away from your main system. Desktop apps suit personal testing, while server platforms run many machines for a business. Check which apps your computer and operating system support, because some are built in and others need extra setup.
Virtual machines sound technical, but the idea is simple: a computer inside your computer. You can try software without risk, keep an old program running or test a website on a different system.
Here are ten free virtual machine tools in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from built-in Windows features to open-source projects. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you're on a Mac and want more from it, my guide to boosting your Mac's productivity has other quick wins.
Before you start, check your computer has enough memory. A virtual machine borrows RAM and storage from your main system, so a laptop that already struggles will struggle more.
Free virtual machine apps side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions often come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNOME Boxes | Simple virtual machine app | Easy virtual machines on Linux | Yes |
| Hyper-V | Windows hypervisor | Virtual machines on Windows Pro | Yes |
| Multipass | Ubuntu virtual machine tool | Quick Ubuntu machines for developers | Yes |
| Proxmox VE | Open-source server virtualisation | Running many machines on a server | Yes |
| QEMU | Open-source emulator and virtualiser | Emulating different hardware | Yes |
| UTM | Virtual machines for Apple devices | Running Windows or Linux on a Mac | Yes |
| virt-manager | Virtual machine manager | Managing virtual machines on Linux | Yes |
| VirtualBox | Open-source virtualisation app | Cross-platform testing | Yes |
| VMware Workstation Pro | Desktop hypervisor | Advanced desktop virtual machines | Yes |
| Windows Sandbox | Disposable Windows environment | Testing risky downloads safely | Yes |
Ten free virtual machine tools to try
GNOME Boxes
Best for: Linux desktop users who want to create and run virtual machines with very few settings.
Hyper-V
Best for: Windows Pro and business users who want Microsoft's own virtualisation built into the system.
Multipass
Best for: Developers who want to spin up Ubuntu virtual machines from the command line in seconds.
Proxmox VE
Best for: Small businesses and homelab fans who want to run many virtual machines on one server.
QEMU
Best for: Technical users who need to emulate other processor types or run virtual machines from the command line.
UTM
Best for: Mac users who want a free, open-source app for running Windows, Linux and older systems.
virt-manager
Best for: Linux users who want a graphical tool for creating and managing KVM virtual machines.
VirtualBox
Best for: People on Windows, Linux or Intel Macs who want a widely used free app for testing other systems.
VMware Workstation Pro
Best for: Developers and IT pros who want snapshots, networking options and other advanced desktop features.
Windows Sandbox
Best for: Windows Pro users who want a throwaway desktop for testing files that vanishes when closed.
The desktop hypervisor that became free for everyone
Here's a change a lot of people missed. VMware's own blog announced in 2024 that VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation Pro would be available for free to everyone, commercial, educational and personal users alike, moving away from the old subscription model.
So if you ruled it out years ago because of the licence, it's worth another look. Just download it from the official site, because copycat download pages are common for popular tools.
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What to check in free virtual machine software
- Host system: does it run on your computer's operating system and chip?
- Guest systems: can it run the system you want inside it?
- Snapshots: can you save a point to roll back to?
- Resources: how much memory and storage will each machine need?
- Licences: do you have a valid licence for the guest operating system?
How to set up your first virtual machine
- Check your computer has virtualisation turned on in its settings.
- Install the virtual machine app from the official site.
- Download the installer for the system you want to run.
- Create a new machine with modest memory and storage to start.
- Take a snapshot once it's set up, so you can roll back any time.
Virtual machine mistakes to avoid
- Giving it too much memory. Your main system needs some too.
- No snapshots. Take one before every big change.
- Unofficial downloads. Get apps and system files from official sites.
- Forgetting updates. Virtual machines need security updates too.
If you mainly want Android apps on a computer, my guide to playing Android games on PC without lag covers emulators in more detail.
Do you make virtualisation software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free virtual machine software
Use what's built into your system first if it does the job. It's already updated and supported, and there's nothing extra to install.
And always take a snapshot before you try anything risky. It's the whole point of a virtual machine, and it turns a disaster into a two-second undo.
Frequently asked questions
What is a virtual machine?
It's a computer running inside software on your real computer, with its own operating system.
Is virtual machine software free?
Several good options are free, including open-source apps and tools built into operating systems.
Can I run Windows on a Mac with a virtual machine?
Yes, with the right app and a Windows licence. Apple silicon Macs need Arm versions of Windows.
Do I need a licence for the system inside the virtual machine?
Usually yes. Check the licence terms for the operating system you install.
Will a virtual machine slow my computer down?
It uses memory and processing power while it's running, so close it when you're not using it.
What's a snapshot?
It's a saved point you can roll back to if something goes wrong.
Can a virtual machine protect me from viruses?
It can isolate risky files, but it isn't a replacement for antivirus and good habits.
What's the difference between emulation and virtualisation?
Virtualisation runs systems for the same chip type. Emulation imitates different hardware and is slower.
Can I run old software in a virtual machine?
Yes. It's a common way to keep an old program working.
How much memory do I need?
Enough for your main system and the virtual one at the same time. More memory makes both smoother.
