Multipass alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave Multipass: built around Ubuntu images, not other guest OSes, and designed mainly around the command line. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Multipass, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. OrbStack currently ranks first.
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Show all 5 alternativesThe best Multipass alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Multipass alternative for most people
OrbStackOn a Mac, runs Linux machines and Docker containers with very fast startup and low overhead.
Best Multipass alternative for a free option
UTMRuns almost any guest OS on a Mac, including Windows and other Linux distributions.
Best Multipass alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
OrbStackOn a Mac, runs Linux machines and Docker containers with very fast startup and low overhead.
Best Multipass alternative for open source
VirtualBoxFree cross-platform VM app with a full GUI for any guest operating system.
Best Multipass alternative for Mac
ColimaCLI-driven Linux VMs on macOS focused on running container runtimes.
Best Multipass alternative for Windows
VirtualBoxFree cross-platform VM app with a full GUI for any guest operating system.
Best Multipass alternative for Linux
GNOME BoxesSimple GUI for creating VMs on a Linux desktop, with many distributions to download.
Multipass alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to Multipass?
OrbStack ranks first right now. On a Mac, runs Linux machines and Docker containers with very fast startup and low overhead. UTM and VirtualBox follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to Multipass?
Yes. OrbStack (free plan + paid), UTM (open source), VirtualBox (open source) and Colima (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to Multipass?
Yes: UTM, VirtualBox, Colima and GNOME Boxes.
Which Multipass alternatives work on Linux?
VirtualBox, Colima and GNOME Boxes run on Linux.
Why do people switch from Multipass?
The complaints we hear most: built around Ubuntu images, not other guest OSes; designed mainly around the command line; macOS setup may need firewall changes, per its README.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Multipass, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.