KVM

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Score8.4

Rank#5 of 26

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, Self-hosted

Summary

KVM is an open-source virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware with Intel VT or AMD-V extensions. It can run multiple virtual machines using unmodified Linux or Windows images, with each VM receiving virtual hardware such as a network card, disk, and graphics adapter. Documented capabilities include live migration, nested guests, CPU and PCI hotplug, virtio devices, and device assignment. KVM's kernel component is part of mainline Linux, and its userspace component is part of mainline QEMU. Major community and enterprise Linux distributions package the kernel modules and userspace tools; Windows guest drivers are available separately. Processor support documentation also covers Intel, AMD, ARM, PowerPC, and 64-bit S390 systems. KVM feature documentation references QEMU, libvirt, OpenStack, and oVirt as upper layers. It is included in the mainline Linux kernel and described as stable and fast for most workloads. The software is free, but the Linux host requires Intel VT or AMD-V virtualization extensions.

Who it is for

KVM suits Linux users who need to run Linux or Windows virtual machines on compatible x86 hosts. It may also suit teams using QEMU, libvirt, OpenStack, or oVirt as an upper layer.

What is good

Runs unmodified Linux or Windows guest images
Supports live migration and nested guests
Includes CPU and PCI hotplug capabilities
Kernel component is in mainline Linux
Major Linux distributions provide KVM packages

What to know first

Requires a Linux host
x86 hosts require Intel VT or AMD-V extensions
Windows guest drivers are available separately

Verdict

KVM offers a free virtualization option integrated with Linux and QEMU, with features including live migration and nested guests. Check host processor requirements and guest-driver needs before choosing it.

KVM plans and pricing

All plans

KVM open-source software Free Linux host · requires Intel VT or AMD-V virtualization extensions linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on virtual machine software

Free plan: Yeslinux-kvm.org
Host platforms: Linuxlinux-kvm.org
Nested virtualization: Yeslinux-kvm.org

Facts

Guest architecture: bothlinux-kvm.org · 20 Sept 2026
VM snapshots: Yeslinux-kvm.org · 20 Sept 2026
GPU acceleration: Yeslinux-kvm.org · 20 Sept 2026
Virtualization: KVM is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware with Intel VT or AMD-V extensions.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Guest systems: KVM can run multiple virtual machines with unmodified Linux or Windows images.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Virtual hardware: Each virtual machine has private virtualized hardware including a network card, disk and graphics adapter.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Open source: KVM is open-source software; its kernel component is in mainline Linux and its userspace component is in mainline QEMU.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Key features: The documented feature list includes live migration, nested guests, CPU hotplug, PCI hotplug, virtio devices and device assignment.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Production status: KVM is included in the mainline Linux kernel and is described as stable and fast for most workloads.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Migration support: KVM status documentation lists live migration of 32-bit and 64-bit guests between hosts.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Distribution support: Major community and enterprise Linux distributions provide KVM kernel modules and userspace, with distribution support available.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Downloads: Linux distributions usually package the KVM kernel modules and userspace tools, and Windows guest drivers are available separately.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Processor coverage: The processor support page documents virtualization support for Intel, AMD, ARM, PowerPC and 64-bit S390 systems.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Integration: KVM userspace code is developed in the QEMU mainline repository, and KVM feature documentation references QEMU, libvirt, OpenStack and oVirt as upper layers.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Security model: VMchannel requirements specify that communication should pose no threat to the host and allow use by an unprivileged user.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026
Testing: The kvm-unit-tests project provides small guest operating systems for KVM and virtual-hardware functional testing.linux-kvm.org · 30 Sept 2026