UTM
vmvm-toolopen sourceA GUI VM app for macOS, running guests on Virtualization.framework (fast) or QEMU (any architecture).
documentedutmapp/UTM README ↗
UTM is a graphical VM manager for macOS that can run guests either through Virtualization.framework for near-native Apple Silicon virtualization, or through QEMU for emulating other architectures. Each VM has its own kernel behind a hardware boundary. It targets desktop users who want a GUI over VZ/QEMU.
Strengths
- GUI over both Virtualization.framework and QEMU
- Runs foreign architectures via QEMU emulation
- Free and open source
Limitations
- macOS only
- QEMU-emulated (non-native) guests are slow
- Desktop-oriented; not built for automation/CI like Tart
Files & editor
desktop-remoteShare files via SPICE/virtfs or Remote-SSH, or edit inside the guest.
How you get your project into the environment and edit it. Shared-kernel routes bind-mount host files for your desktop editor; own-kernel routes keep files in the guest, so a desktop editor attaches over remote, or you edit inside. Mounts and remote editing.