01
Install Cheetah
Grab the free Mac App Store build, or join TestFlight for packages valid 90 days.
NewLightweight VMs on Apple’s Virtualization.framework
Need a macOS guest?Spin up ARM Linux?Want it light and fast?Cheetah has you covered.
A lightweight virtual machine manager for macOS. Create macOS 12+ and ARM Linux guests, share folders, bridge the network, or run headless — with a small, focused installer.
- Free on the Mac App Store
- Manages two VMs
- Lightweight installer
- macOS 12+ & ARM Linux
Made for momentsyou’d rather spin up fast.
Real screenshots from Cheetah — create a VM, boot macOS or Linux guests, and run multiple instances side by side.
✓Ready to createPick a guest or create a new virtual machine
Creating a VM is straightforward — select from the sidebar or start a new instance.
Run macOS 12+ as a guest on Apple silicon with Virtualization.framework.
ARM Linux guests like Ubuntu run alongside your Mac workflows.
Debian and other ARM Linux distributions are supported guests.
Run multiple VM instances at once — macOS and Linux side by side.
Three steps.Then you’re virtualizing.
02
Create a VM
Creating a new instance is straightforward — pick macOS 12+ or an ARM Linux guest.
03
Start in seconds
Boot, configure hardware anytime, run multiple instances, or go headless when you want quiet.
Everything you need,nothing you don’t.
A functional UI that stays out of the way — powered by Virtualization.framework.
Fast VM startsConfigurable hardwareSimple create flowMultiple instancesLightweight installerHeadless modeShared directoriesvirtiofs for LinuxRosetta for x86_64Bridged networkingmacOS 12+ guestsDebian · Fedora · UbuntuARM LinuxVirtualization.frameworkFree App Store tierTestFlight builds
Multiple VMs at once
Run several instances side by side for parallel development, testing, and sandboxes.
Shared directories
Pass files between host and guest. macOS 13+ guests; Linux mounts virtiofs when you need it.
Bridged network mode
Let guests appear on the same network as your Mac when seamless connectivity matters.
Built on Apple’s stack.Light on your disk.
Cheetah stays close to Virtualization.framework so creating and managing VMs feels native.
Virtualization.framework
Built on Apple’s modern virtualization API for macOS.
Lightweight install
A focused installer and a UI that prioritizes function.
Starts in seconds
Virtual machine instances boot quickly so you stay in flow.
Hardware on demand
Adjust CPUs, memory, and more whenever the workload changes.
Cheetah vs other Mac VMsHonest differences, no invented checkmarks.
A quick look at where Cheetah sits next to well-known options. Cells we can’t speak to confidently are marked “—”. See features and install for Cheetah details. features · install
| Cheetah | UTM | VirtualBox | Parallels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free on Mac App Store manages two VMs | Free & open source | Free (Oracle) | Paid commercial |
| Primary stack | Apple Virtualization.framework | QEMU optional Apple Virtualization on Apple silicon | Oracle VirtualBox hypervisor | Commercial hypervisor |
| Installer size | Lightweight | — | Generally heavier | — |
| macOS guests | macOS 12+ | — | — | Supported (commercial) |
| ARM Linux guests | Yes — Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, and others | Yes | — | — |
| Headless mode | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| Shared folders | Yes macOS 13+ guests; virtiofs on Linux | — | Yes (Guest Additions) | Yes |
| Rosetta for x86_64 Linux on Apple silicon | Yes | — | — | — |
| Bridged networking | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| UI focus | Lightweight, functional | Feature-rich open-source app | Traditional full desktop manager | Feature-rich commercial app |
Competitor details are limited to well-known public facts. Cheetah column uses only documented product facts.
One download.Yours to try today.
Free on the Mac App Store with two VMs. Prefer builds still under development? Join TestFlight — each package is valid for 90 days.
Cheetah for macOSFree
Mac App Store · manages two VMs
- Free Mac App Store version
- Create and manage two VMs
- macOS 12+ and ARM Linux guests
- Headless, shares, Rosetta, bridged net
- Lightweight installer
- Built on Virtualization.framework
Questions,answered.
What is Cheetah?
A lightweight virtual machine manager for macOS, built on Apple’s Virtualization.framework. It’s fast, configurable, simple to use, powerful enough for multiple VMs, and ships in a small installer.
How much does it cost?
The Mac App Store version is free and manages two virtual machine instances. TestFlight builds are also available for features under development; each TestFlight package is valid for 90 days.
Which guest operating systems are supported?
macOS 12 and newer, plus ARM Linux distributions such as Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, and others.
Can I run VMs without a window?
Yes. Headless mode runs a VM in the background without a graphical window — useful for servers and long-running tasks.
How do shared directories work on Linux?
Mount the virtiofs share from the guest with: mount -t virtiofs com.apple.virtio-fs.automount /tmp/mountpoint. Shared directories in macOS VMs need macOS 13 or newer.
What about x86_64 Linux binaries on Apple silicon?
Enable Rosetta in Settings, mount the shared directory, and register Rosetta to run x86_64 Linux binaries under ARM Linux.
Where can I read more?
See features, install, guest OS, and privacy docs. Need help? Visit the Support page.