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KVM vs Hyper-V: catalog facts
KVMHyper-V
Free

Part of the Linux kernel, free and open source under the GPL.

Free

Included at no extra cost in Windows Pro, Enterprise and Windows Server editions.

Linux Windows
  • Part of the mainline kernel, so no third-party modules are needed
  • Near-native CPU performance through hardware virtualization extensions
  • Built into Windows with nothing extra to buy
  • Type-1 hypervisor with near-native performance
  • Provides no user interface of its own; you need QEMU, libvirt or a front end
  • Requires virtualization extensions enabled in firmware
  • Not available on Windows Home editions
  • Windows only
Downloadable app Operating system
Open source Closed source
License: GPL-2.0 License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed No account needed
Not stated if it works offline Works offline

Checked September 22, 2026

Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.