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UTM vs GhostVM

Side-by-side comparison for macOS

UTM

8.0
System Tools

Virtual machines UI using QEMU

GhostVM

7.0
Developer Tools

Native macOS Virtual Machines for Apple Silicon

Metric UTM GhostVM
Category System Tools Developer Tools
AI Score 8.0 7.0
30-day Installs 5.8K 75
90-day Installs 16.9K 228
365-day Installs 58.3K 228
Version 4.7.5 2.11.0
Auto-updates No Yes
Deprecated No No
GitHub Stars 33.2K 434
GitHub Forks 1.7K 22
Open Issues 1.0K 21
License Apache-2.0
Language Swift Swift
Last GitHub Commit 4mo ago 1mo ago
First Seen Aug 9, 2023 May 31, 2026

Reviews

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.

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