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Lima vs vfkit: catalog facts
Lima	vfkit
Free Free and open source under Apache 2.0, a CNCF project.	Free Free and open source.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	macOS, Command line
Automatic file sharing and port forwarding, so the VM feels like part of the host Runs containerd, Docker, Podman and Kubernetes, not just one of them	Uses Apple's native Virtualization framework Scriptable from the command line
Command-line only; there is no graphical management interface Linux guests only	macOS only No graphical interface
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: Apache-2.0	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

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