Virtual Machine ManagerLinux
vs
VirtualBoxWindows
Virtual Machine Manager as a Linux alternative to VirtualBox
Updated
Our verdict
Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) can replace VirtualBox for users who already run KVM or Xen on Linux and want a native GUI. It covers most day‑to‑day tasks: creating VMs, attaching disks, snapshots, live migration, and remote host control. However, it does not support ARM guests or the same level of USB passthrough that VirtualBox offers, and it lacks a built‑in network‑only mode for headless servers. For a pure Linux desktop or server environment where KVM is acceptable, VMM is a solid choice; for mixed‑platform or ARM workloads, VirtualBox remains preferable.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 5.1.0 (August 26, 2025)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both provide a graphical interface for creating and managing virtual machines
- Both support snapshots and state saving
- Both allow attaching virtual disks and network interfaces
- Both can run multiple guest OS instances simultaneously
- Both support remote host management via libvirt or VirtualBox networking
What is different
- VMM uses libvirt/KVM/Xen/LXC, not a hosted hypervisor like VirtualBox
- VMM does not natively support ARM guests
- VMM lacks the same level of USB passthrough and shared folder implementation as VirtualBox
- VMM does not provide a built‑in headless server mode with easy SSH console access
- VMM’s snapshot handling is tied to libvirt, which may behave differently than VirtualBox’s snapshot UI
Opening your VirtualBox files
Virtual Machine Manager cannot directly open VirtualBox .vbox or .vdi files. To migrate, export the VirtualBox VM as an OVA/OVF package, then import that package into VMM using the libvirt import tools. Alternatively, convert the virtual disk to a format VMM accepts (e.g., qcow2) before creating a new VM.
Switching from VirtualBox to Virtual Machine Manager, step by step
- Export the VirtualBox VM as an OVA/OVF bundle from the VirtualBox GUI.
- Transfer the OVA file to the host running VMM.
- Open VMM and choose "Import existing VM" from the menu, selecting the OVA file.
- Follow the import wizard to create a new VM, adjusting disk format if needed.
- Start the VM in VMM and verify functionality.
- (Optional) Delete the original VirtualBox VM to free space.
Key features of Virtual Machine Manager
- GUI for KVM, Xen, LXC via libvirt
- Create, clone, and delete VMs
- Attach virtual disks and network interfaces
- View real‑time resource usage
- Remote management of hosts
- Support for snapshots and live migration
How to install Virtual Machine Manager on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.virt_manager.virt-managersudo apt install virt-managersudo apt install virt-managersudo dnf install virt-managersudo pacman -S virt-managersudo zypper install virt-managerFrequently asked questions
Can I run the same VM in both VirtualBox and VMM?
Only if you export it to a neutral format like OVA/OVF or convert the disk to qcow2; direct coexistence is not supported.
Does VMM support USB devices?
VMM can pass through USB devices via libvirt, but the experience is less polished than VirtualBox’s USB manager and may require manual configuration.
Is VMM suitable for ARM guests?
No. VMM relies on KVM/Xen/LXC, which currently do not support ARM guests in the same way VirtualBox does.