virt-manager
virt-manager is a free desktop interface for managing virtual machines through libvirt, primarily for KVM and also supporting Xen and LXC.
What virt-manager is
virt-manager is a free desktop interface for managing virtual machines through libvirt, primarily for KVM and also supporting Xen and LXC. It can connect to local or remote hosts and show live performance and resource-use statistics for running domains. Setup wizards create guest domains and configure their resources and virtual hardware. An embedded VNC and SPICE viewer provides a graphical console for guests. The interface also manages host virtual networks, storage pools, and network interfaces, while companion command-line tools support provisioning, cloning, and editing virtual machines. Linux and OpenBSD are listed as host platforms. The project offers installation through Fedora, Debian, Gentoo, and OpenBSD packages, as well as a source release. virt-manager is distributed under the GNU General Public License, and current releases are GPG signed with signature verification instructions provided. Documentation and a FAQ are available, and the project directs user and support questions to GitHub Discussions. Bug reports are handled through GitHub; for distribution-package problems, the project recommends contacting the operating system vendor first.
Good
- Supports KVM, Xen, and LXC through libvirt.
- Connects to local and remote hosts.
- Shows live performance and resource-use statistics.
- Includes VNC and SPICE guest consoles.
- Free and distributed under the GNU General Public License.
Watch out
- Host platforms listed are Linux and OpenBSD.
- Primarily targets KVM.
- Distribution-package issues should first go to the OS vendor.
Who it suits
virt-manager suits Linux or OpenBSD users managing KVM, Xen, or LXC virtual machines through libvirt. It may also fit administrators who need local or remote host connections and host network or storage management.
Verdict
virt-manager provides a graphical route to guest and host management, alongside companion command-line tools. Its listed host platforms are Linux and OpenBSD.
Plans and prices
From virt-manager's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| virt-manager | Free | No paid plans or usage limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from virt-manager's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Bug reporting
- The project uses GitHub for virt-manager bug tracking and recommends reporting distribution package issues to the OS vendor first.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Connections
- Multiple hypervisor connections are supported, including connections to local and remote hosts.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The download page lists installation through Fedora, Debian, Gentoo, and OpenBSD packages, as well as a source release.checked 4 Oct 2026
- GPU acceleration
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Guest architecture
- bothchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Guest console
- An embedded VNC and SPICE viewer provides a graphical console to guest domains.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Host management
- The interface can manage host virtual networks, storage pools, and network interfaces.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The FAQ says virt-manager is distributed under the GNU General Public License.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Management interface
- desktopchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Monitoring
- It shows running domains with live performance and resource utilization statistics.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The project says it no longer uses mailing lists for discussion; developers may sometimes be found on the #virt IRC channel on OFTC.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- virt-manager is a desktop interface for managing virtual machines through libvirt, primarily targeting KVM and also supporting Xen and LXC.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Release verification
- The download page says current virt-manager releases are GPG signed and explains how to verify signatures.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs user and support questions to GitHub Discussions and provides documentation and a FAQ.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Supporting tools
- The project also provides command-line tools for provisioning, cloning, and editing virtual machines.checked 4 Oct 2026
- VM setup
- Wizards create domains and configure their resource allocation and virtual hardware.checked 4 Oct 2026
- VM snapshots
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Host platforms
- Linux; OpenBSDchecked 20 Sep 2026
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