GhostVM vs UTM
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
GhostVM
7.0Native macOS Virtual Machines for Apple Silicon
UTM
8.0Virtual machines UI using QEMU
| Metric | GhostVM | UTM |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | System Tools |
| AI Score | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 75 | 5.8K |
| 90-day Installs | 228 | 16.9K |
| 365-day Installs | 228 | 58.3K |
| Version | 2.11.0 | 4.7.5 |
| Auto-updates | Yes | No |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 434 | 33.2K |
| GitHub Forks | 22 | 1.7K |
| Open Issues | 21 | 1.0K |
| License | — | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Swift | Swift |
| Last GitHub Commit | 1mo ago | 4mo ago |
| First Seen | May 31, 2026 | Aug 9, 2023 |
Reviews
GhostVM
GhostVM offers native macOS virtual machines optimized for Apple Silicon, enabling secure development and isolated workflows. Its key features include container-based virtualization and support for macOS-only environments, benefiting developers and security-conscious users.
Creates and manages native macOS virtual machines for secure development and isolated workflows.
Pros
- + Native support for Apple Silicon
- + Enhanced security for development environments
- + Isolated workflows for agents and applications
Cons
- - No auto-update feature
- - Open issues indicate areas needing improvement
UTM
UTM is a powerful virtual machine manager for macOS and iOS, leveraging QEMU for cross-platform compatibility. It offers unique features for Apple Silicon and is ideal for developers and those needing to run multiple operating systems.
Enables the creation and management of virtual machines on macOS and iOS using QEMU.
Pros
- + Supports both macOS and iOS, offering cross-platform functionality.
- + Open-source with a strong community and active development.
- + Compatible with Apple Silicon, enhancing performance on M1/M2 Macs.
Cons
- - Does not auto-update, requiring manual checks for new versions.
- - Past performance issues, though resolved in recent updates.