WSL Manager vs UTM
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
WSL Manager
8.5Manage native Linux VMs and remote WSL distros
UTM
8.0Virtual machines UI using QEMU
| Metric | WSL Manager | UTM |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | System Tools |
| AI Score | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 9 | 7.6K |
| 90-day Installs | 9 | 18.9K |
| 365-day Installs | 9 | 66.7K |
| Version | 2.5.0 | 5.0.8 |
| Auto-updates | Yes | No |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 4.0K | 33.2K |
| GitHub Forks | 179 | 1.7K |
| Open Issues | 10 | 1.0K |
| License | NOASSERTION | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Dart | Swift |
| 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
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.