KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) Alternatives

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is described as 'KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V). It consists of a loadable kernel module, kvm' and is a very popular Virtualization tool in the network & admin category. There are more than 25 alternatives to KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, BSD and Online / Web-based. The best alternative is VirtualBox, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) are QEMU, VMware Workstation Pro, Anbox and VMware Workstation Player.

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) alternatives are mainly Virtualization Tools but may also be Android Emulators. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine).

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KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)

102

Free • Open Source
Virtualization Tool

Linux
Android

KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing...

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VirtualBox
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Free • Open Source
Virtualization Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Solaris
60 alternatives to VirtualBox
VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as...
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VirtualBox Features
1. LightweightVirtualBox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Container VirtualizationVirtualBox can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
3. PortableVirtualBox can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Multiple languages
VirtualBox vs KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) opinions
Most users think VirtualBox is a great alternative to KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine).
QEMU
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No
Free • Open Source
Virtualization Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
42 alternatives to QEMU
QEMU (short for "Quick EMUlator") is a free and open-source hosted hypervisor that performs hardware virtualization.
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QEMU Features
1. PortableQEMU can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. LightweightQEMU consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Support for scriptingQEMU supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
4. Privacy focusedQEMU is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Container VirtualizationQEMU can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
6. Command line interfaceQEMU either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
GPU Acceleration
Security focused
User mode emulation
Emulation
QEMU vs KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) opinions
Some users think QEMU is a great alternative to KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), some don't.
Guest
KVM is a kernel module that QEMU can use to speed up the emulation
Negative comment•
2
VMware Workstation Pro
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No
Paid • Proprietary
Virtualization Tool
Windows
Linux
39 alternatives to VMware Workstation Pro
VMware Workstation Pro Lets You Run Multiple Operating Systems as Virtual Machines (including Windows VMs) on a Single Windows or Linux PC. VMware Workstation Pro is the industry standard for running multiple operating systems as virtual machines (VMs) on a single Linux or...
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VMware Workstation Pro Features
1. Container VirtualizationVMware Workstation Pro can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
Multiple languages
Support for Android Things
Bundled with macOS
Anbox
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No
Free • Open Source
Android Emulator
Virtualization Tool
Linux
36 alternatives to Anbox
Anbox puts Android into a container and every Android application will be integrated with your operating system. Any Android version is suitable for this approach and try to keep up with the latest version from the Android Open Source Project.
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Anbox Features
1. LightweightAnbox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Container VirtualizationAnbox can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
3. Unified inboxView e-mails (or similar) from all accounts in one unified view with Anbox.
Discontinued
According to their README, development has been discontinued in 2023.
VMware Workstation Player
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No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Virtualization Tool
Windows
Linux
38 alternatives to VMware Workstation Player
VMware Workstation Player builds on the industry leading foundation of Workstation Pro, and delivers a streamlined user interface for creating and running operating systems and applications in a virtual machine.

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VMware Fusion
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No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Virtualization Tool
Mac
39 alternatives to VMware Fusion
Seamlessly run your favorite Windows applications and devices, on any Intel-based Mac. Built from the ground up for the Mac, VMware Fusion is the easiest way to switch to Mac—letting you bring all of your Windows applications with you, making the most of your Windows software...

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Windows Sandbox
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No
Free • Proprietary
Virtualization Tool
Windows
52 alternatives to Windows Sandbox
a new lightweight desktop environment tailored for safely running applications in isolation.
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Windows Sandbox Features
1. Container VirtualizationWindows Sandbox can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
2. LightweightWindows Sandbox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Sandbox
Xen
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No
Free • Open Source
Virtualization Tool
Linux
30 alternatives to Xen
Xen.org, home of the Xen hypervisor, the powerful open source industry standard for virtualization. It is a native (bare-metal) hypervisor providing services that allow multiple computer operating systems to execute on the same computer hardware concurrently.
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Xen Features
Hypervisor
LXC Linux Containers
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No
Free • Open Source
Virtualization Tool
Linux
6 alternatives to LXC Linux Containers
Containers which offer an environment as close as possible as the one you'd get from a VM but without the overhead that comes with running a separate kernel and simulating all the hardware.
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LXC Linux Containers Features
1. Command line interfaceLXC Linux Containers either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
2. Container VirtualizationLXC Linux Containers can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
3. LightweightLXC Linux Containers consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Sandbox
Portable Virtualbox
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Virtualization Tool
Windows
40 alternatives to Portable Virtualbox
Portable-VirtualBox is a free and open source software tool that lets you run any operating system from a usb stick without separate installation. It unpacks and adjusts the paths and configuration of VirtualBox so it will run portably.
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Portable Virtualbox Features
1. PortablePortable Virtualbox can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
GNU/linux-libre
Discontinued
It has not been updated since 2017 and does not work with any version of Virtualbox beyond v5.1.22.