virt-manager vs VirtualBox : Which is Better?

virt-manager icon

virt-manager

virt-manager, is a desktop-driven virtual machine manager with which users can manage virtual machines. Developed by Daniel P. Berrangé

License: Open Source

Categories: Network & Admin

Apps available for Linux

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VirtualBox icon

VirtualBox

VirtulaBox is an open source software to run virtual systems on top of a physical system. Virtual systems are normally used for providing separate environment for each client sharing a single physical system. Developed by Oracle

License: Open Source

Categories: Network & Admin

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux BSD Solaris

virt-manager VS VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a versatile cross-platform virtualization solution known for its user-friendly interface and strong guest OS support, making it ideal for individual users and small-scale deployments. In contrast, virt-manager is tailored for Linux environments, offering advanced features and better resource management for users familiar with KVM, making it more suitable for server and enterprise use cases.

virt-manager

Pros:

  • Open-source and free to use
  • Excellent remote access capabilities
  • Supports container management
  • Good virtual machine migration support
  • Integration with KVM for better performance
  • Strong performance for Linux-based VMs
  • Intuitive interface for managing multiple VMs
  • Supports advanced features like VLANs and bridge networking
  • Robust resource management tools
  • Active developer community

Cons:

  • Primarily Linux-focused, less support for Windows
  • More complex setup for beginners
  • Requires KVM to be installed on the host
  • Limited cross-platform support
  • Documentation can be less comprehensive than VirtualBox

VirtualBox

Pros:

  • Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • User-friendly interface
  • Strong guest OS support (including Windows and Linux)
  • Good snapshot management features
  • Flexible networking options
  • Excellent performance optimization
  • Comprehensive command line interface
  • Rich virtual hardware customization options
  • Strong community support
  • Backup and restore options available

Cons:

  • Performance can lag behind KVM-based solutions
  • Limited remote management capabilities
  • Less effective with large-scale VM management
  • No native support for containers
  • Backup and restore options are manual

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