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virt-manager
What it is
virt-manager is a free desktop interface for managing virtual machines through libvirt, aimed primarily at KVM and also supporting Xen and LXC. It connects to local or remote hosts and displays live performance and resource-use statistics for running domains. Setup wizards create domains and configure their resource allocation and virtual hardware, while an embedded VNC and SPICE viewer provides a graphical console for guests. The interface can also manage host virtual networks, storage pools, and network interfaces. Separate command-line tools support provisioning, cloning, and editing virtual machines. The project lists Linux and OpenBSD as host platforms and offers installation through Fedora, Debian, Gentoo, and OpenBSD packages, plus a source release. virt-manager is distributed under the GNU General Public License. Current releases are GPG signed, and the download page explains signature verification. Documentation and a FAQ are available; user and support questions go to GitHub Discussions, and bug tracking is handled on GitHub. For problems with distribution packages, the project recommends contacting the operating system vendor first.
For and against
For
- 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.
- No paid plans or usage limits are stated.
Against
- Host platforms listed are Linux and OpenBSD.
- The desktop interface manages virtual machines through libvirt.
- The project no longer uses mailing lists for discussion.
The verdict
virt-manager brings guest setup, consoles, live statistics, and host resource management into a desktop interface. It is free, with Linux and OpenBSD listed as host platforms and community support directed to GitHub Discussions.
Who it suits
virt-manager suits Linux or OpenBSD users who want a desktop interface for managing KVM, Xen, or LXC virtual machines. It can also suit administrators who need to connect to remote hosts or manage host networking and storage.
Plans and prices
virt-manager
No paid plans or usage limits stated
Read 4 Oct 2026 · virt-manager.org
On the record
- Bug reporting
- The project uses GitHub for virt-manager bug tracking and recommends reporting distribution package issues to the OS vendor first.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Connections
- Multiple hypervisor connections are supported, including connections to local and remote hosts.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The download page lists installation through Fedora, Debian, Gentoo, and OpenBSD packages, as well as a source release.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- GPU acceleration
- Yesvirt-manager.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Guest architecture
- bothvirt-manager.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Guest console
- An embedded VNC and SPICE viewer provides a graphical console to guest domains.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Host management
- The interface can manage host virtual networks, storage pools, and network interfaces.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Host platforms
- Linux; OpenBSDvirt-manager.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- License
- The FAQ says virt-manager is distributed under the GNU General Public License.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Management interface
- desktopvirt-manager.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Monitoring
- It shows running domains with live performance and resource utilization statistics.virt-manager.org · read 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.virt-manager.org · read 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.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release verification
- The download page says current virt-manager releases are GPG signed and explains how to verify signatures.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- VM snapshots
- Yesvirt-manager.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project directs user and support questions to GitHub Discussions and provides documentation and a FAQ.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Supporting tools
- The project also provides command-line tools for provisioning, cloning, and editing virtual machines.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- VM setup
- Wizards create domains and configure their resource allocation and virtual hardware.virt-manager.org · read 4 Oct 2026
