QEMU

Free
Open Source
Linux
Mac
Windows
Online
FreeBSD
Github

QEMU Alternatives

14
Options
Considered
2021-10-11
Last
Updated

#1 OpenVZ

Free
Open Source
Linux
Online

OpenVZ is a robust operating system virtualization software for Linux that allows a physical server to run instances of multiple operating systems such as virtual private servers and containers. Each container works and operates exactly the same as a stand-alone server and can be rebooted independently. Each container has users, IP addresses, memory, root access, applications, files, processes, configuration files, and system libraries.

Multiple secure and isolated Linux containers on the same physical server pave the way for better server utilization and ensure that the application does not conflict. The software can be used free of charge under the GNU GPL license and has a quick installation procedure. OpenVZ comes with multiple support that includes detailed documentation, screencasts, troubleshooting, a mailing list, and more to add. The software simplifies development by providing information such as how to submit patches, source code, a wishlist, and where to start the initial procedure.

#2 VMware Workstation

Paid
Proprietary
Linux
Windows
Online

VMware Workstation is a multi-operating system handler for evaluating any other type of new operating system. It is such a hardware virtualizer that supports the launch of various operating systems in the guest operating system to run patches, help programs, and even software and applications.

It is a commercial hypervisor for x86 and x86-64 binaries. This allows users to manage one or more virtual machines or operating systems on the same operating system and use the same equation with the host machine. With this program, users will be able to run every operating system in addition to the main operating system. This program is suitable for developers, IT professionals, sales technicians, teachers, and educators who need to deploy software using multiple x86 operating systems on a single computer.

#3 Windows Virtual PC

Free
Proprietary
Windows
Online

Windows Virtual PC is an advanced level of virtualization technology for the Microsoft Windows operating system, intended only for users of the Windows operating system. It is designed so that users of the Windows operating system can use any version of the Windows operating system in the version they are currently using.

It can also be used to run the Linux operating system. However, this is not officially recognized by Microsoft, but the developers have verified it and it is doing fine. As for the main version, Windows Virtual PC only supports Windows 7 version. But it is in terms of guest operating systems, Windows Virtual PC support for all versions of Windows operating systems from XP to current 10.

#4 VMware Fusion

Free
Proprietary
Mac
Online

VMware Fusion is a virtualization program for Mac OS X operating systems. It allows Mac users to take advantage of the features and functions of any Windows operating system by running it on their Mac device. The best thing about VMware Fusion is that it supports all versions of Windows operating systems as guest operating systems.

The best thing about VMware Fusion is that it doesn’t require you to reboot your host system. Windows will run on the system because the Mac was originally designed for the Mac. VMware Fusion is best for those new Mac users who want their Windows program to run all the time.

#5 Parallels Desktop 10

Freemium
Proprietary
Mac
Online

Parallels Desktop is one of the oldest and most popular virtualization applications on macOS. On this platform, there are some options for Mac users who want to run other operating systems on their Apple devices, but none are as intuitive and beginner-friendly as Parallels.

This application allows you to run Windows, various versions of Linux, ChromeOS, Android, and many other operating systems in virtual machines, and makes installing and configuring these virtual machines incredibly easy. Much of the process is automated, and virtualized operating systems integrate well with macOS. Compared to alternatives like VirtualBox or VMware, it is much easier to create a virtual machine and install the OS. For example, if you want a Windows 10 virtual machine, a startup wizard will guide you through the entire process. It only takes a few clicks and no technical knowledge.

#6 Portable VirtualBox

Free
Open Source
Windows
Online
Github

Portable VirtualBox is a software package. It is a free and open-source tool that allows you to run any operating system with it from a USB stick, and no separate installation is required to run the operating system. It runs as it sets up and unpacks the VirtualBox path configuration.

It provides bridging networking support through a virtual network adapter. The main advantage of using Portable VirtualBox is that it is a portable program. This portable program allows developers and IT professionals to run any operating system from any other operating system, and even from a USB stick or any other external hard drive.

#7 VMware Workstation Player

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Windows
Online

VMware Workstation Player (also known as Player Pro) is an optimized PC virtualization program for personal and business purposes. He is an expert in dealing with multiple operating systems to leverage virtualization. The software is primarily intended for IT administrators and professionals who primarily need to use multiple operating systems to perform their tasks more efficiently.

The best thing about VMware Workstation Player is that it works on all types of operating systems, which means that in terms of host systems, it has very broad support. The simple and user-friendly interface of VMware Workstation Player allows users to run and evaluate any other operating system and program on a virtual machine or PC based on Linux and Windows.

#8 Xen

Free
Open Source
Linux
SaaS

The Xen Project is a robust hypervisor software that is one of the best Linux Foundation projects and partners. It comes with all the leading tools and features that allow you to precisely control your business or organization. The Xen Project is operating system-friendly software available for a variety of platforms. Besides operating system support, this software also works with cloud platforms, making it a complete solution.

This gives you the freedom to make your choices open to watch the improvements and maturity of cloud solutions, rather than staying tied to one for a long time. This platform is easy to use and you can try out its features in a free trial. The most salient features of the Xen project include multi-user operating systems, open-source, virtual machine migration, flexible architecture and security modules, etc.

#9 Kernel Virtual Machine

Free
Open Source
Linux
Android
Tablet
Online

Kernel Virtual Machine is a high-tech, professional-grade virtualization software designed for Linux operating systems based on x86 hardware systems. It contains various functions as a loadable kernel module. These features provide users with a basic virtualization infrastructure and enable multiple virtual machines and operating systems to run.

Either they are unmodified Linux or Windows images; The kernel virtual machine can do anything. Each virtual machine that will run in a kernel virtual machine has its own private virtualized hardware such as a graphics adapter, disk, and network card. It is open-source software and the way the kernel virtual machine works is more advanced and professional when compared to other kernel virtual machine competitors.

#10 MobaLiveCD

Free
Open Source
Windows
Online
Linux

MobaLiveCD is a virtualization system for running a Linux operating system LiveCD on a Windows operating system. It is not a standalone program as it uses the Qemu emulator to test Linux LiveCDs on Windows operating systems. For the information of readers here, it is important to mention that the MobaLiveCD is not ideally designed to run one operating system on another. It is only capable of working with one Linux feature on Windows, namely running a LiveCD.

Windows users only need to download the ISO image file to any LiveCD first and then launch MobaLiveCD. With this, users will not need to burn a CD or restart their computer. The main highlighted features and functions of MobaLiveCD are usability, association, no installation, intuitive graphical interface, and portability, which means no installation.

#11 VMware Workstation Pro

Paid
Proprietary
Linux
Windows
Online

VMware Workstation Pro is a platform that allows users to run multiple operating systems as virtual machines on the same Linux or Windows system. The platform is very useful for developers and IT professionals who have to work with multiple operating systems to check the compatibility of the software they create.

Moreover, it allows users to create fully functional and securely isolated Linux and Windows virtual machines with configurable virtual networking and network state simulation. The platform allows users to develop and test any platform, and they can easily run any number of applications and through it. Moreover, users can use it as software to test their applications to make sure there are no bugs.

#12 VirtualBox

Free
Open Source
Linux
Mac
Windows
Online
FreeBSD

VirtualBox (also known as Oracle VirtualBox) is a free open source hypervisor for x86 hardware developed by Oracle Corporation. It is a complete solution that can be installed on a range of operating systems such as Linux, macOS, Windows, OpenSolaris, etc. It supports the creation and management of guest virtual machines running versions of Windows, Linux, and other platforms and their derivatives. The solution is designed for use on servers, desktops, and embedded systems; it is now the only professional-quality virtualization system.

It has an extremely modular design with well-defined internal programming interfaces, as well as a service and client design that makes it easy to operate from multiple interfaces at the same time. One of the most exciting and enjoyable things about this platform is that it comes with a complete software development kit, making it more attractive and feature-rich. Compared to all other similar platforms, VirtualBox is a fast and convenient solution that allows you to run various operating systems and software without rebooting. There is also a list of the main benefits that make it more powerful.

#13 OpenStack

Free
Open Source
Online

OpenStack is an open-source program for building private and managed cloud platforms. This allows developers and IT administrators to manage and control large pools of computing, storage, and network issues from the data center, and manage everything through a dashboard system. The main benefit of using this platform is the collaboration system as it works with a wide range of enterprise and open source technologies.

Thousands of leading brands rely on OpenStack services to keep their businesses running day-to-day, reduce costs, and accelerate progress. Its strong ecosystem allows them to receive strong commercial support and choose the best option for various products and services. It is simply a one-stop solution provider for all types of developers.

#14 KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)

Free
Open Source
Linux
Android
Tablet
Online

KVM (for Kernel-Based Virtual Machine) is free open source virtualization software built for Linux operating systems. The solution includes virtualization extensions such as Intel VT and AMD-V that save you time and effort. It consists of a loadable kernel module that provides the underlying virtualization infrastructure and a processor-specific module.

The solution provides hardware virtualization for a wide variety of guest operating systems and offers some premium features that make virtualization easier to manage and run. KVM (for Kernel-Based Virtual Machine) is open-source software that allows developers to add new features without any restrictions. Its most notable feature includes support for CPU hosting, PCI hotplugs support, host, SCSI disk migration and emulation, and more.