18.0
oVirt is a free, open-source system for managing enterprise virtualization infrastructure.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWeb
Best Server Virtualization Software in 2026
Server virtualization software lets you create and run virtual machines on server hardware. The chart covers tools with self-hosted, Linux, web, API, Windows or macOS deployment options. Compare hypervisor type, VM capacity per host, live migration, central management and guest OS support.
27.6
QEMU is a free, open-source machine emulator and virtualizer for running guest operating systems or processes built for another CPU architecture.
Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxmacOS
37.2
KVM is an open-source virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware with Intel VT or AMD-V extensions.
Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxSelf-hosted
- 4
Xen Orchestra
Xen Orchestra is a self-hosted web platform for visualizing, managing, backing up and delegating XCP-ng or XenServer infrastructure across pools and…
WebAPISelf-hosted6.5From $1,000 a year - 5
Firecracker
Firecracker is open-source virtualization software for running container and function workloads in lightweight microVMs.
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.3Free plan - 6
Harvester
Harvester is free, open-source hyperconverged infrastructure for bare-metal servers, combining virtualization and distributed storage.
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.3Free plan - 7
Xen Project Hypervisor
Xen Project Hypervisor is a free, open-source type-1 hypervisor that runs multiple operating systems in parallel on one host.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 8
Citrix XenServer
Citrix XenServer is an enterprise virtualization platform for workloads across on-premises and hybrid environments.
LinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.1 - 9
OpenNebula
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.0 - 10
Red Hat OpenShift Pipelines
Red Hat OpenShift Pipelines automates application delivery on Red Hat OpenShift using a cloud-native CI/CD approach built on Tekton.
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.0 - 11
IPFW
Free planSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 12
ACRN Hypervisor
ACRN Hypervisor is an open-source reference hypervisor for embedded IoT development.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.8Free plan - 13
Scale Computing Platform
Scale Computing Platform brings virtualization, servers, storage, backup, disaster recovery, and fleet management together for edge and distributed infrastructure.
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted5.7 - 14
IBM PowerVM
IBM PowerVM virtualizes enterprise workloads across AIX, IBM i, and Linux environments.
LinuxSelf-hosted5.5 - 15
IBM z/VM
IBM z/VM is an operating system and hypervisor for running guest servers on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE systems.
Self-hosted5.4 - 16
Huawei FusionCompute
WebSelf-hosted5.3 - 17
5.2 - 18
HPE VM Essentials
WebLinux5.0 - 19
VMware Cloud Foundation Operations
VMware Cloud Foundation Operations is web-based software for managing cloud infrastructure through a self-hosted deployment.
Web4.8 - 204.6
- 214.6
- 224.6
Choosing well
Match deployment to your setup
Check whether a tool is self-hosted or uses Linux, web, API, Windows or macOS access. A web option can help when you manage servers from different computers.
If phone access matters, confirm Android support separately. The platform details here do not list Android apps.
Compare hypervisor type and VM capacity
Hypervisor type affects how virtual machines run on the host. Compare the stated VMs-per-host figure with your planned workload before choosing.
Guest OS support also matters: verify that the operating systems you need are covered.
Look at management and migration
Central management can change how you control hosts and virtual machines. Check the management tools offered by the product.
Live migration helps move a running VM between hosts when the feature is supported. Confirm it before planning maintenance around it.
Check plans and licence terms
A free plan is available from products in this category, while paid products can list pricing on request. Citrix XenServer lists a 90-day trial.
Open-source code is available from products in this category. If you need to read or change the code, check each tool's licence.
Questions people ask
What does server virtualization software do?
It creates and runs virtual machines on server hardware, letting workloads operate in separate virtual environments.
Which comparison fields matter most?
Compare deployment, hypervisor type, VMs per host, live migration, central management and guest OS support.
Are free options available?
Yes. A free plan is offered by products in this category, and open-source code is also available from products in the list.
Do paid products offer trials?
Trial terms vary. Citrix XenServer lists a 90-day trial, while other pricing details may be available on request.