VirtualBox alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave VirtualBox: extension Pack needs a paid licence for business use, and weak 3D graphics performance. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces VirtualBox, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. UTM currently ranks first.
No alternatives match these filters.
Show all 4 alternativesThe best VirtualBox alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best VirtualBox alternative for most people
UTMBetter fit on Apple silicon Macs, free and open source with near-native ARM guests.
Best VirtualBox alternative for a free option
GNOME BoxesSimpler Linux option that downloads and installs guest systems for you.
Best VirtualBox alternative for open source
virt-managerKVM-based VMs on Linux with better performance and no Extension Pack licensing.
Best VirtualBox alternative for Mac
Parallels DesktopPaid but much faster and smoother for running Windows on a Mac.
Best VirtualBox alternative for Linux
GNOME BoxesSimpler Linux option that downloads and installs guest systems for you.
VirtualBox alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to VirtualBox?
UTM ranks first right now. Better fit on Apple silicon Macs, free and open source with near-native ARM guests. Parallels Desktop and GNOME Boxes follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to VirtualBox?
Yes. UTM (open source), GNOME Boxes (open source) and virt-manager (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to VirtualBox?
Yes: UTM, GNOME Boxes and virt-manager.
Which VirtualBox alternatives work on Linux?
GNOME Boxes and virt-manager run on Linux.
Why do people switch from VirtualBox?
The complaints we hear most: extension Pack needs a paid licence for business use; weak 3D graphics performance; apple silicon support is newer and less polished.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces VirtualBox, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.