UTM
Virtual machines for Mac — run Windows, Linux, and more
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask utmQuick Take: UTM
UTM still fills the free/cheap VM gap on Mac in August 2026. ARM64 Linux via Virtualization.framework is excellent; QEMU covers legacy and exotic arches; 4.7.5 modernises the app for macOS 26 Liquid Glass and Shortcuts; 5.0 betas finally chase Windows graphics acceleration. Not as polished as Parallels for daily Windows, but for developers, students and tinkerers it remains indispensable and still free or ten dollars.
Best For
- •Developers Testing Across Operating Systems
- •Students Running Linux for Coursework
- •Retro Computing Enthusiasts
What is UTM?
UTM lets you run virtual machines on your Mac. Need Windows 11 to test in Edge? Spin up a Windows VM. Need Ubuntu for a Linux-only toolchain? Spin up Linux. Want older macOS beside Tahoe for compatibility testing? Spin up a macOS guest on Apple Silicon. UTM wraps Apple's Virtualization framework and QEMU into a native macOS app with a straightforward interface for creating, configuring and running VMs. The name stands for 'Universal Turing Machine.' UTM virtualizes ARM64 operating systems at near-native speed via Virtualization.framework on Apple Silicon and emulates x86 and other architectures via QEMU at reduced but usable speed. ARM64 Linux distributions, Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, can run with strong performance and shared clipboard; x86 guests use full system emulation. As of August 2026, stable UTM is v4.7.5 (January 2026): QEMU v10.0.2, Liquid Glass design on OS 26, App Intents for Shortcuts, custom keyboard shortcuts and an improved wizard for RISC-V64 Ubuntu, classic Mac OS 8/9 and Windows 95/98 configurations. The *v5.0.x beta train (through v5.0.4 in August 2026) adds experimental DirectX 11 graphics for Windows on macOS, Vulkan 1.3 for Linux guests (VirtIO Venus) and OpenGL 4.1 via Apple Core OpenGL, while raising the floor to macOS 13+. Users on older macOS should stay on 4.7.x stable. UTM is free from GitHub; the Mac App Store copy is $9.99** one-time for automatic updates and to fund development, functionally the same app. No subscriptions. It sits between OrbStack (containers/light Linux) and Parallels Desktop (polished paid Windows integration). Still the practical free/cheap choice for students, occasional Windows testing and retro emulation.
Closer Look: How UTM Makes Virtual Machines Accessible on Mac
UTM's dual-engine architecture, the role of Apple's Virtualization framework and why free VM software matters for developers.
History & Background
UTM started as an iOS project, a QEMU frontend that could run virtual machines on jailbroken iPhones and iPads. Developer osy ported it to macOS when Apple Silicon arrived, recognizing that the new ARM64 architecture created demand for a free VM solution. With Parallels charging $100/year and VMware Fusion's future uncertain after the Broadcom acquisition, UTM filled a critical gap. The addition of Apple's Virtualization.framework support in 2022-2023 transformed UTM from a QEMU wrapper into a genuinely fast virtualization tool for ARM64 guests.
How It Works
UTM has two backends. For ARM64 guests, it uses Apple's Virtualization.framework, the same technology that powers macOS's built-in Rosetta Linux support. This provides near-native performance with hardware-accelerated CPU, memory and I/O virtualization. For x86 and other architectures, it uses QEMU's full system emulation, translating instructions in software. The frontend is a native SwiftUI app that manages VM lifecycle, configuration and display. SPICE handles the remote display protocol, providing shared clipboard, dynamic resolution and smooth rendering.
Ecosystem & Integrations
UTM's VM gallery provides pre-built images for the most common use cases: Windows 11 ARM, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, FreeBSD and several retro operating systems. The gallery is community-maintained and users submit tested VM configurations with documentation. UTM also integrates with Apple's file provider for shared directories and supports VirtIO networking for high-performance network access within guests.
Future Development
UTM 4.7.x modernised the Mac experience for 2026 (QEMU 10, Liquid Glass, App Intents, wizard templates). The 5.0 beta line focuses on graphics: Venus/Vulkan for Linux, experimental DirectX 11 for Windows, Metal renderer reworks and scripting improvements (IP address queries, USB matching). Expect graphics drivers to remain experimental until games compatibility and stability improve; macOS 13 becomes the new floor for UTM 5.
Key Features
Apple Virtualization Framework Integration
On Apple Silicon Macs, UTM uses Apple's built-in Virtualization.framework for ARM64 guests. This provides near-native performance, ARM64 Linux VMs boot in seconds, run at full CPU speed and can access GPU acceleration through Virgl. macOS guests also run via this framework, letting you run older macOS versions alongside your current one. The Virtualization.framework integration means VMs are energy-efficient and don't overheat your MacBook the way QEMU emulation does. UTM v4.7 also brings Liquid Glass design updates for modern macOS versions.
QEMU Emulation for x86
For operating systems that don't have ARM64 versions, older Windows, legacy Linux distros, DOS, classic Mac OS, UTM uses QEMU v10.0.2 to emulate x86, x86_64, PPC and other architectures. Performance is 3-10x slower than native, but it's sufficient for running Windows 11 for testing, playing retro games, or booting vintage operating systems. The improved wizard in v4.7 simplifies creating emulated machines by selecting from well-supported configurations, including RISC-V64 Ubuntu, classic Mac OS 8.x/9.x and Windows 95/98.
Shared Directories
UTM supports VirtIO shared directories between host and guest. Mount a folder from your Mac inside the VM and files are accessible from both sides. This eliminates the need to SCP or FTP files between your Mac and the VM, edit code on your Mac, run it in the Linux VM and changes are instantly visible. Shared directories work with both Virtualization.framework and QEMU guests.
USB Device Passthrough
Connect a USB device to your Mac and pass it through to a VM. This is useful for developers working with microcontrollers (Arduino, Raspberry Pi Pico), hardware tokens (YubiKey), or specialized peripherals that only have Windows drivers. The VM sees the USB device as if it were directly connected. UTM supports USB 2.0 and 3.0 passthrough depending on the backend.
GPU Acceleration for Linux Guests
ARM64 Linux VMs can use Virgl 3D acceleration for basic GPU rendering, which means running desktop environments (GNOME, KDE) with compositing effects at reasonable frame rates. It's not gaming-level GPU performance, but it's enough for a smooth desktop experience and basic OpenGL applications. This sets UTM apart from bare QEMU, which offers no GPU acceleration on Mac.
Gallery of Pre-Built VMs
UTM's website hosts a gallery of pre-configured VM images: Windows 11 ARM, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, FreeBSD and various retro operating systems. Download a pre-built image, import it into UTM and boot, no manual OS installation required. The improved wizard in v4.7 simplifies the creation of emulated machines by selecting from a list of well-supported configurations, making it faster than ever to get a working VM for common use cases.
App Intents and Shortcuts Automation
UTM v4.7 introduces App Intents support, enabling automation with macOS Shortcuts. Define custom workflows to start, stop, or manage VMs programmatically. This is ideal for power users who want to integrate VM management into their automation pipelines, schedule VM operations, or trigger specific actions when VMs reach certain states. The new Keyboard Shortcuts feature also lets you define custom key combinations (such as Ctrl+Alt+Del) that can be sent directly to the VM from the Keyboard menu.
UTM 5 Beta Graphics (DirectX / Vulkan)
UTM 5.0.x betas (2026) introduce experimental DirectX 11 acceleration for Windows guests on macOS and Vulkan 1.3 support for Linux with VirtIO Venus drivers, plus OpenGL 4.1 via Apple Core OpenGL. Games compatibility remains limited; prefer fresh Windows installs when enabling experimental graphics drivers. Stable 4.7.x users keep VirGL-class Linux acceleration without the macOS 13 minimum.
Who Should Use UTM?
1The Cross-Platform Web Developer
A frontend developer needs to test their web app in Edge on Windows. They download UTM's pre-built Windows 11 ARM image, boot the VM, install Edge and test their site. The shared directory feature means they can edit code on macOS in their preferred editor and refresh the browser in the VM instantly. When they're done testing, they suspend the VM, it resumes in seconds next time.
2The CS Student
A computer science student's coursework requires running Ubuntu with specific libraries (GCC, Valgrind, GDB) that behave differently on macOS. They create an ARM64 Ubuntu VM in UTM, install the required tools and do their assignments inside the VM. The VM runs at near-native speed on their M-series MacBook and they can share their project folder between macOS and the VM.
3The Retro Computing Enthusiast
A hobbyist wants to run classic Mac OS 9, Windows XP and BeOS. UTM's QEMU backend emulates PowerPC and x86 architectures, letting them boot these vintage operating systems. It's slower than native, but perfectly functional for exploring old software, running legacy games and preserving computing history on modern hardware.
How to Install UTM on Mac
UTM is available for free from GitHub or for $10 on the Mac App Store (supports development with automatic updates).
Install via Homebrew
Run brew install --cask utm to install UTM from Homebrew. This installs the free GitHub version to your Applications folder.
Download a Pre-Built VM (Optional)
Visit mac.getutm.app/gallery to browse pre-configured VM images. Download the one you need (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04 ARM64) and import it into UTM.
Create a New VM
Alternatively, click 'Create a New Virtual Machine' in UTM, choose Virtualize (for ARM64 guests) or Emulate (for x86 guests), select your ISO, configure RAM and storage and install the OS from scratch.
Install SPICE Guest Tools
For the best experience (shared clipboard, dynamic resolution, shared directories), install SPICE guest tools inside the VM. UTM provides these tools and documentation for each supported guest OS.
Pro Tips
- • Allocate at least 4GB RAM and 2 CPU cores to Windows VMs for acceptable performance.
- • Use 'Virtualize' mode for ARM64 Linux (near-native speed). Only use 'Emulate' when the OS doesn't have an ARM64 version.
- • The Mac App Store version is identical to the GitHub version but includes automatic updates, worth $10 to support the developer.
Configuration Tips
Use Virtualize Mode for ARM64 Guests
When creating a VM for ARM64 Linux or macOS, always choose 'Virtualize' mode. This uses Apple's Virtualization.framework for near-native performance instead of QEMU emulation. The difference is massive, 10x faster boot times and 5x faster general performance.
Set Up Shared Directories Early
Configure a shared directory in UTM's VM settings before booting the guest. Inside the VM, mount it with sudo mount -t virtiofs share /mnt/shared. This creates a persistent bridge between your Mac file system and the VM, eliminating the need for file transfer tools.
Alternatives to UTM
UTM occupies a unique space between lightweight containers and commercial VM products.
OrbStack
OrbStack is a Docker Desktop replacement that also runs lightweight Linux VMs. It's faster and lighter than UTM for Linux containers and simple Linux environments. But OrbStack can't run Windows, can't emulate x86 and doesn't support macOS guests. Use OrbStack for Docker and quick Linux shells. Use UTM when you need Windows, full OS VMs, or architecture emulation.
Parallels Desktop
Parallels is the commercial gold standard for running Windows on Mac. It offers Coherence mode (Windows apps in macOS windows), DirectX 11 support and polished integration. It costs $100+/year. UTM is free/cheap and handles most use cases, but Parallels is superior if you run Windows daily or need gaming performance. Choose based on how often you use Windows.
Docker Desktop
Docker runs containerized applications, not full operating systems. If you need to run a Linux service (PostgreSQL, Redis, Nginx), Docker is lighter and faster than a full VM. If you need a full desktop environment, a Windows install, or architecture emulation, use UTM. Many developers use both.
Pricing
UTM is free when downloaded from GitHub (github.com/utmapp/UTM) or mac.getutm.app. The Mac App Store version costs $9.99 (one-time) and adds automatic updates while funding development. Both versions are functionally identical. No subscriptions, no feature gates, no tiers.
Pros
- ✓Free from GitHub, $10 on App Store for automatic updates
- ✓Near-native ARM64 VM performance via Apple Virtualization.framework
- ✓x86 emulation via QEMU for legacy operating systems
- ✓Shared directories between host and guest
- ✓USB device passthrough for hardware development
- ✓GPU acceleration for ARM64 Linux desktops
- ✓Pre-built VM gallery for quick setup
- ✓Supports macOS guests (run older macOS versions)
Cons
- ✗x86 emulation is noticeably slower than native (expect multi-x slowdowns)
- ✗Windows integration is less polished than Parallels Coherence/day-to-day tools
- ✗DirectX/gaming paths are still experimental even in UTM 5 betas, not a Parallels replacement for gamers
- ✗SPICE guest tools installation can be fiddly for some guest OSes
- ✗UTM 5 betas require macOS 13+; older Macs must stay on 4.7.x
Community & Support
UTM has a growing community on GitHub with over 27,000 stars. The project is maintained primarily by osy (the lead developer) with community contributions. Support happens through GitHub Issues and a Discord server. The UTM documentation site covers VM creation, guest OS setup, troubleshooting and advanced QEMU configuration. The pre-built VM gallery is community-curated, with new images added as operating systems release ARM64 versions.
Frequently Asked Questions about UTM
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Expert Tips for UTM
Stay on 4.7.5 stable for production test VMs; only move to 5.0 beta if you explicitly need experimental Windows DirectX or Linux Vulkan and can reinstall guests cleanly.
Security-minded developers on X still recommend UTM for 'code inside a VM' isolation because it is free and good enough for Mac-in-Mac workflows, complement, not replace, Parallels for heavy Windows UI work.
Related Technologies & Concepts
Related Topics
Virtualization & Containers
Tools for running virtual machines and containers on Mac.
Development Environment
Tools for setting up development environments on macOS.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: May 6, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- Stable UTM 4.7.5 includes QEMU v10.0.2, Liquid Glass on OS 26, App Intents and an improved VM wizard.[cite-utm-475]
- UTM 5.0.4 beta adds experimental DirectX 11 for Windows and requires macOS 13+.[cite-utm-504]
- UTM is free on GitHub; Mac App Store version is $9.99 for auto-updates.[cite-utm-official, cite-utm-appstore]
- UTM uses Apple Virtualization.framework and QEMU for virtualization/emulation on Mac.[cite-utm-official]
- 1UTM Official Website
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 2UTM GitHub Repository
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 3UTM Releases
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 4UTM v4.7.5 Release
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 5UTM v5.0.4 Beta
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 6UTM Documentation
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 7UTM on Mac App Store
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Research queries: UTM virtual machine Mac 2026