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Multipass
What it is
Multipass launches cloud-style virtual machines on a workstation, for prototyping cloud deployments or creating customized Linux development environments. Instances can use cloud-init metadata, including custom definitions for configured servers, and local workflows can model deployments for AWS, Azure, Google, IBM, and Oracle. Multipass fetches Ubuntu images from Canonical and offers a growing catalogue of images with pre-installed applications. Users can share host files and folders with instances; the primary instance also integrates with the native filesystem and has dedicated hot-key access. It provides both command-line and graphical interfaces, with documentation for Windows Terminal integration and running Docker containers in an instance. The free tool supports Linux, macOS, and Windows hosts, using QEMU on Linux, Apple Virtualization on macOS, and Host Compute System on Windows. The current Windows installation guide supports Windows 10 or 11 Home, Pro, or Enterprise from version 1809, with Virtual Machine Platform enabled. Anyone with access to the Multipass daemon socket can fully control it, so Canonical advises restricting access to trusted users.
For and against
For
- Configures instances with cloud-init metadata
- Offers Ubuntu images with pre-installed applications
- Supports host file and folder sharing
- Includes command-line and graphical interfaces
Against
- Windows requires Virtual Machine Platform enabled
- Daemon socket access permits full control
- Host requirements vary by operating system
The verdict
Multipass provides a free path to run and configure virtual machines locally, with host file sharing and both command-line and graphical interfaces. Restrict daemon access to trusted users because it allows full control.
Who it suits
Multipass may suit developers who want customized Linux environments or a local way to prototype cloud deployments. It offers both command-line and graphical interfaces across Linux, macOS, and Windows hosts.
Plans and prices
Multipass
Prototype cloud launches locally; host requirements vary by operating system
Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
On the record
- Access control
- Canonical advises restricting daemon access to trusted users; access control begins with group membership and can later use a user TLS certificate.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Cloud-init
- Instances can be configured with cloud-init metadata, including custom definitions to create configured servers.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Cloud simulation
- Multipass can simulate cloud deployments locally using workflows modeled on AWS, Azure, Google, IBM and Oracle.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Container workflow
- The documentation includes instructions for running a Docker container in a Multipass instance.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Daemon access
- Anyone with access to the Multipass daemon socket can fully control Multipass, including mounting host filesystems and changing instance security features.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Developer use
- Canonical describes Multipass as a tool for prototyping cloud deployments and creating customized Linux development environments.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Guest architecture
- bothcanonical.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Host file sharing
- Users can share files and folders between the host and virtual machine instances.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Host platforms
- Linux,macOS,Windowscanonical.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Host virtualization
- The product page lists Host Compute System for Windows, Apple Virtualization for macOS and QEMU for Linux as its platform hypervisors.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Image library
- Multipass fetches Ubuntu images from Canonical and offers a growing catalogue of images with pre-installed applications.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- Multipass provides a command-line interface and a graphical interface, and its documentation includes Windows Terminal integration instructions.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Management interface
- bothcanonical.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Primary instance
- The primary instance integrates with the native filesystem and has dedicated hot-key access.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Multipass launches and runs cloud-style virtual machines on a workstation.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- VM snapshots
- Yescanonical.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Support and community
- The project documentation directs users to its Discourse forum and GitHub for questions, issues and contributions.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Windows prerequisite
- The current installation guide says Windows 10 or 11 Home, Pro or Enterprise is supported from version 1809, with Virtual Machine Platform enabled.canonical.com · read 5 Oct 2026
