WSL Manager vs Multipass
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
WSL Manager
8.5Manage native Linux VMs and remote WSL distros
Multipass
8.0Orchestrates virtual Ubuntu instances
| Metric | WSL Manager | Multipass |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| AI Score | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 9 | 2.0K |
| 90-day Installs | 9 | 4.8K |
| 365-day Installs | 9 | 24.0K |
| Version | 2.5.0 | 1.16.4 |
| Auto-updates | Yes | No |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 4.0K | 9.0K |
| GitHub Forks | 179 | 772 |
| Open Issues | 10 | 406 |
| License | NOASSERTION | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Dart | C++ |
| Last GitHub Commit | 1mo ago | 7mo ago |
| First Seen | Sep 10, 2026 | Aug 9, 2023 |
Reviews
WSL Manager
WSL Manager offers a user-friendly GUI for managing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) instances and native Linux VMs on macOS. Its key features include installation, backup, configuration, and remote management via SSH, making it ideal for developers and system administrators.
Provides a graphical interface for managing WSL2 instances and Linux VMs.
Pros
- + Intuitive GUI simplifies WSL management
- + Comprehensive features including backup and remote access
- + Active development and strong community support
Cons
- - Primarily designed for Windows, with limited macOS-specific features
- - May require learning curve for advanced configurations
Multipass
Multipass is a powerful tool for developers, enabling the orchestration of virtual Ubuntu instances on macOS and other platforms. It simplifies the setup of development environments, offering a lightweight alternative to traditional virtualization solutions. Ideal for those working with Ubuntu-based workflows or cloud infrastructure.
Orchestrates virtual Ubuntu instances for development and testing.
Pros
- + Lightweight and efficient for Ubuntu VMs
- + Strong integration with tools like MAAS and LXD
- + Active community and regular updates
Cons
- - No auto-update feature
- - Previous firewall connectivity issues (now resolved)