Lightweight runtime
Virtual machines run with minimal overhead, so your Mac stays fast.
Lightweight virtual machinesfor Apple Silicon Macs.
Run macOS and Linux side by side with minimal overhead, using Apple's native Virtualization framework. Free on the Mac App Store.
Rating
4.4
82 ratings
Features
Everything you needto run VMs on your Mac.
Create, run and manage virtual machines in a clean interface built for speed and control.
Set up a VM in minutes
Pick macOS or Linux, choose an installer, set CPU, memory and storage, then review it all before you create.
Watch performance live
See each VM's state, uptime, CPU and memory, plus how much memory your Mac has left, with tips when it gets tight.
macOS, safely isolated
Test apps, betas and new setups in a macOS VM, away from the Mac you work on.
Linux alongside macOS
Run Linux environments for development and server work without a second machine.
Built for Apple Silicon
Native virtualization,without the bloat.
Apple's Virtualization framework
Built on the virtualization stack that ships with macOS and optimized for M1 and newer.
Save & restore
Save a virtual machine's state and resume exactly where you left off.
Clipboard sharing
Copy and paste between your Mac and its virtual machines.
Beta OS testing
Try the latest macOS and Linux betas, including macOS 27, in isolated machines before you upgrade.
Many VMs at once
Run and manage several machines side by side without a cluttered setup.
How it works
From new VMto running in three steps.
Create
Set up and size a new machine
Create a macOS or Linux virtual machine from inside the app and give it the resources it needs. No command line required.
- macOS and Linux guests
- Guided step-by-step setup
- CPU cores, memory and disk size
Run
Start, stop and keep track
Run your machines whenever you need them and check on them from one dashboard.
- One-click start and stop
- Status at a glance
- Several VMs at once
Monitor
Keep an eye on performance
Open a VM's performance dashboard to see how it's running and how much your Mac has to spare.
- State and uptime
- Assigned CPU and memory
- Host memory pressure and guidance
Platforms
Run macOS and Linuxon any Apple Silicon Mac.
macOS 12 Monterey and later, including the latest betas, for testing and isolated work.
Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Red Hat, Kali and other ARM64 distributions for development and server work.
Made for M1 and newer Macs running macOS 14 Sonoma or later, using Apple's native virtualization.
Frequently asked questions
Setup, supported systems and how SoftVM works.
What is SoftVM?
SoftVM is a lightweight Mac app for running macOS and Linux virtual machines on Apple Silicon. It's built on Apple's own Virtualization framework, so there's no heavy third-party hypervisor to install.
Which operating systems can I run in SoftVM?
macOS 12 Monterey and later, including the latest betas, plus ARM64 Linux distributions such as Ubuntu 18 or later, Fedora 35 or later, Debian 11 or later, Red Hat and Kali Linux.
What do I need to run SoftVM?
A Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) running macOS 14 Sonoma or later, with at least 8 GB of memory. 16 GB is recommended if you run larger VMs or several at once. SoftVM doesn't run on Intel Macs.
Can I run Ubuntu or Kali Linux on an Apple Silicon Mac?
Yes. Download the ARM64 installer (ISO) for your distribution, create a Linux VM in SoftVM and choose the ISO as the installation source. The same works for Fedora, Debian and other ARM64 distributions.
Can I run older versions of macOS?
Yes. SoftVM runs macOS 12 Monterey and later as a virtual machine, so you can test apps on older releases without keeping a second Mac.
Does SoftVM run Windows?
Not at the moment. SoftVM runs macOS and Linux virtual machines.
Can I adjust CPU, memory and storage for each VM?
Yes. Every virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, storage and network settings, so you can give each one exactly what it needs.
Can I use SoftVM to test beta operating systems?
Yes. Install a macOS or Linux beta in its own virtual machine and try it without touching the system you use every day.
Can I run several virtual machines at once?
Yes. Create as many machines as you need and start, stop and check on all of them from one dashboard.
Can I save a VM and pick up where I left off?
Yes. Save & Restore keeps a virtual machine's state so you can resume exactly where you stopped.
Can I copy and paste between my Mac and a VM?
Yes. Clipboard sharing lets you copy and paste between your Mac and its virtual machines.
Is SoftVM free?
Yes. SoftVM is free to download on the Mac App Store. Optional tips are available in the app if you'd like to support its development.
Where is my virtual machine data stored?
On your Mac. Virtual machines, disk images and their settings are stored locally and aren't sent to our servers.