Alternatives to Hyper-V

Microsoft's type-1 hypervisor built into Windows and Windows Server for running Windows and Linux virtual machines. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

  • Hyper-V

    Microsoft's type-1 hypervisor built into Windows and Windows Server for running Windows and Linux virtual machines.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Hyper-V.

  • Microsoft Hyper-V

    A type-1 hypervisor built into Windows Server and Windows for creating and running virtual machines.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    Microsoft Hyper-V is the same built-in Windows type-1 hypervisor listed separately, so moving to it changes nothing about platforms, price or guest support.

  • VMware Workstation Pro

    Type-2 hypervisor for running virtual machines on Windows and Linux desktops.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsLinux

    VMware Workstation Pro is a type-2 hypervisor for Windows and Linux desktops with mature snapshots and cloning, free for personal use but needing a paid licence commercially.

  • VirtualBox

    The free desktop hypervisor most people start with: run Windows, Linux or BSD in a window on the machine you already have.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    VirtualBox is a free GPL desktop hypervisor that also runs on macOS and Linux and works on Windows Home, though its 3D acceleration is weak.

  • VMware ESXi Free

    Industry-standard bare-metal hypervisor with a free tier for small setups.

    FreemiumProprietarySelf-hosted

    VMware ESXi Free is a closed-source bare-metal hypervisor that needs dedicated hardware instead of running inside Windows, and its free edition lacks centralized vSphere management.

  • Proxmox VE

    A bare-metal server platform that runs KVM virtual machines and LXC containers from one web interface.

    FreemiumOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Proxmox VE is an open-source AGPL server platform that runs KVM virtual machines and LXC containers from a web interface, installed as its own operating system on dedicated hardware.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Hyper-V as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • KVM

    The Linux kernel's built-in hypervisor for hardware-accelerated virtual machines.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Hyper-V is Microsoft's closed-source type-1 hypervisor built into Windows Pro, Enterprise and Server, so it replaces a Linux host with a Windows one.

  • QEMU

    The machine emulator and virtualiser that most of the Linux virtualisation stack is built on.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    Hyper-V is a closed-source type-1 hypervisor built into Windows Pro, Enterprise and Server, with no cross-architecture emulation and no Home edition support.

  • Windows Sandbox

    A disposable, isolated Windows desktop built into Windows 10 and 11 for running untrusted software.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    Hyper-V runs persistent Windows and Linux virtual machines built into Windows Pro and Server, requiring manual VM setup instead of a fresh disposable desktop.

  • Windows Subsystem for Linux

    Runs unmodified Linux command-line tools and applications directly on Windows, without a virtual machine or dual boot.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Hyper-V runs full Linux virtual machines on Windows Pro, Enterprise or Server, giving a separate guest system rather than Linux tools integrated into Windows.

  • XCP-ng

    Open-source bare-metal hypervisor built on Xen, managed through Xen Orchestra.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Hyper-V is a closed-source type-1 hypervisor built into Windows Server and Windows, so hosts run Windows instead of a dedicated Xen-based system.

  • Xen Project

    An open source type-1 hypervisor that runs several isolated operating systems on the same hardware.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    Hyper-V is Microsoft's closed source type-1 hypervisor built into Windows and Windows Server, running Windows and Linux guests without separate installation.

  • XenServer

    A Xen-based server virtualization platform for running and managing virtual machines on your own hardware.

    PaidProprietarySelf-hosted

    Hyper-V is Microsoft's type-1 hypervisor built into Windows Server and Windows at no extra cost, running Windows and Linux guests on Windows hosts only.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.