Multipass

Multipass runs Ubuntu-based virtual machines on Linux, macOS and Windows, with cloud-init configuration and interfaces for both command-line and graphical use. It suits developers who want to prototype cloud-style deployments or build customized Linux environments on a workstation. Its focused local workflow is useful, but daemon access needs careful control because it can expose host filesystems.

Overview

Multipass launches cloud-style VMs locally, letting developers shape instances with cloud-init metadata, including definitions for configured servers. Its workflows model deployments on AWS, Azure, Google, IBM and Oracle, making it a practical way to develop and refine cloud setups without moving that work off the workstation.

Canonical provides Ubuntu images, with a growing catalogue that includes images with applications already installed. Users can share files and folders between host and guest, and the primary instance integrates with the host's native filesystem and has dedicated hot-key access. These conveniences are valuable for development, though they make access control more than an administrative detail.

Key features

Cloud-style setup on a workstation

Cloud-init support makes it possible to create configured instances from metadata rather than start from an unconfigured VM each time. The cloud-provider-inspired workflows are most relevant to developers prototyping deployments; they do not make a local instance a cloud service.

VM management and interfaces

Multipass supports snapshots and both command-line and graphical management. Windows Terminal integration is covered in its documentation, while instructions for running a Docker container inside a Multipass instance give container users a documented VM-based workflow. That breadth suits developers who want a choice of interface without giving up a command line.

Host access and security

File sharing and the primary instance's filesystem integration reduce friction when moving work between host and guest. The trade-off is significant: anyone who can access the Multipass daemon socket can fully control Multipass, including mounting host filesystems and changing instance security features. Canonical advises limiting socket access to trusted users; control starts with group membership and can later use a user TLS certificate.

Pricing

Multipass is free. Its sole plan, Multipass, costs nothing and is intended for prototyping cloud launches locally. There is no free trial because the product is free, and no paid tier or plan-based feature split is described. Host requirements vary by operating system.

Platforms

Multipass runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, with host virtualization provided by QEMU on Linux, Apple Virtualization on macOS and Host Compute System on Windows. The Windows installation guide supports Windows 10 or 11 Home, Pro or Enterprise from version 1809, with Virtual Machine Platform enabled. That prerequisite matters before choosing Multipass for a Windows workstation.

Who it's for

Multipass is a strong fit for developers who want configurable Ubuntu VMs for Linux development or local cloud deployment prototypes, especially if they value cloud-init, snapshots and host-folder sharing. Its interfaces accommodate both terminal-centered and graphical workflows.

It is less suitable for anyone who needs a managed cloud environment rather than local simulation, or who cannot restrict access to the daemon socket. The documented security controls make trusted-user access essential, not optional.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free across the supported host platforms: there is no paid plan to unlock the core local VM workflow.
• Cloud-init and cloud-modeled workflows: developers can configure instances and prototype cloud-style deployments on a workstation.
• Practical development integration: image choices, host-folder sharing, snapshots and primary-instance access support iterative Linux work.
• Two management interfaces: users can choose command-line or graphical management.

Cons

• Daemon socket access is powerful: it permits full Multipass control, including host filesystem mounts and changes to instance security features, so access must be restricted.
• Host requirements differ: Windows users need a supported Windows version and Virtual Machine Platform enabled.
• Its purpose is local prototyping: users seeking an actual cloud deployment service need a different tool for that role.

Alternatives

For a broader set of virtualization choices, browse Hypervisor Software or Virtual machine software.

• Proxmox VE is worth considering for its freemium model and support for Linux, Windows, Android, web, API and self-hosted platforms; its Premium plan is €1,100 a year, billed for a one-year subscription per occupied physical CPU socket.
• QEMU is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows users who want a GNU General Public License version 2 open-source hypervisor rather than Multipass's cloud-prototyping workflow.
• UTM is a free option for macOS and iOS users; its Mac App Store version costs 9.99 USD as a one-time purchase, while the free open-source GitHub version has no automatic updates.
• VMware Workstation Pro is another free choice for Windows or Linux hosts on 64-bit Intel or AMD PCs, with no subscription or license key required.
• Harvester is a free, open-source option for Linux, web, API and self-hosted use.
• GNOME Boxes is a free desktop virtualization application for Linux.
• KVM is a free open-source option for Linux and self-hosted use, with its kernel and userspace components in mainline Linux and QEMU.
• oVirt offers a free community edition for Linux, web, API and self-hosted environments.

Verdict

Choose Multipass if you want free, configurable local Ubuntu VMs for cloud prototyping or Linux development, with snapshots and both graphical and command-line management. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of cloud-init and cloud-style workflows on a workstation; its main reason to look elsewhere is that local simulation is not a cloud service, and daemon access requires strict trust controls.