GNOME Boxes
GNOME Boxes is a free Linux desktop app for creating and managing local virtual machines, then installing an operating system in one.
What GNOME Boxes is
GNOME Boxes is a free Linux desktop app for creating and managing local virtual machines, then installing an operating system in one. Automatic installation is listed for CentOS Stream, Debian, Fedora, Microsoft Windows, OpenSUSE, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu. Users can limit a VM’s memory and storage, save its state as a snapshot, and restore that state later. Boxes supports shared clipboard, file drop, and shared folders between the host and VM; USB redirection makes locally plugged-in devices available inside the VM. Guest tools can improve input performance, screen resizing, clipboard sharing, and file transfer. The app uses qemu-kvm, libvirt-glib, and spice-gtk to manage virtual machines. It provides access to local VMs; GNOME directs users to Connections for remote VMs or remote computer displays. Three-dimensional acceleration is available for some supported operating systems. Boxes performs best with processor virtualization extensions enabled, and GNOME recommends at least 8 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space for efficient use. The app is distributed through Flathub, whose listing labels it desktop-only and gives a 46 MiB download.
Good
- Supports snapshots and restoring saved VM states.
- Offers shared clipboard, file drop, and shared folders.
- USB redirection exposes local devices inside a VM.
- Automatic installation covers several listed operating systems.
Watch out
- Desktop-only distribution.
- Remote virtual machines require a different GNOME app.
- GNOME recommends 8 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space.
Who it suits
GNOME Boxes suits Linux desktop users who want to create and manage local virtual machines. It is for local VM access rather than remote virtual machines or remote computer displays.
Verdict
GNOME Boxes provides local VM creation with snapshots, resource limits, and host-to-guest sharing features. Users should account for the stated hardware guidance and use Connections for remote systems.
Plans and prices
From GNOME Boxes's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Boxes | Free | Free application; desktop only |
The facts
Each one read from GNOME Boxes's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 3D acceleration
- 3D acceleration is available for some supported operating systems.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- GNOME directs users to install the latest version from Flathub; the Flathub listing labels it desktop-only and lists a 46 MiB download.checked 5 Oct 2026
- GPU acceleration
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Guest tools
- Guest tools can improve input performance, screen resizing, clipboard sharing, and file transfer; Windows guests use spice-guest-tools and Linux guests commonly use spice-vdagent.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Hardware requirements
- Boxes performs best with processor virtualization extensions enabled; GNOME recommends at least 8 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space for efficient use.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Host integration
- Boxes supports shared clipboard, file drop, and shared folders between the host system and virtual machines.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Local use
- Boxes provides access to local virtual machines; GNOME directs users to Connections for remote virtual machines or remote computer displays.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Management interface
- desktopchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Project background
- The GNOME Project was founded in 1997 by Miguel de Icaza and Federico Mena and is backed by the non-profit GNOME Foundation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Boxes lets users create and manage local virtual machines and install an operating system in one.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Resource controls
- Users can limit virtual machines’ memory and storage use.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Snapshots
- Users can save a virtual machine state as a snapshot and restore it later.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support and contributions
- The app page links to online help, an issue tracker, translation contributions, and general app contributions.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The app lists automatic installation for CentOS Stream, Debian, Fedora, Microsoft Windows, OpenSUSE, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu.checked 5 Oct 2026
- USB access
- USB redirection makes devices plugged into the local computer available inside a virtual machine.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Virtualization stack
- Boxes uses qemu-kvm, libvirt-glib, and spice-gtk to manage virtual machines.checked 5 Oct 2026
- VM snapshots
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Host platforms
- Linuxchecked 20 Sep 2026
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