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SPECIFICTION
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Cloud Hypervisor

cloudhypervisor.org

Free plan LinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.6 #3 of 26 in Hypervisor Software

What it is

Cloud Hypervisor is a free, open-source virtual machine monitor written in Rust for modern cloud workloads. It runs modern Linux and Windows guests on Linux hosts with x86-64 or AArch64 architectures, using minimal hardware emulation. Operators can manage VM lifecycles through a REST API or command-line interface, with an optional D-Bus API. It supports snapshots, nested virtualization, paravirtualized devices, physical device passthrough, and live migration between hosts without interrupting VMs. Migration data can be encrypted using mutual TLS. The maker says direct kernel boot reaches userspace in less than 100 ms. The project is supported by Kata Containers for running secure containerized workloads and is governed openly as part of the Linux Foundation. It has no commercial plan or usage limits stated. Linux hosts need kernel 4.11 or later for required KVM functionality; kernel 5.6 is recommended for adequate performance. Packages for some popular Linux distributions are available through the Open Build Service. For help, the project points users to GitHub discussions or Slack, with GitHub issues for bug reports and a mailing list for broader discussion.

Spec sheet

What it does
Cloud Hypervisor is an open-source Virtual Machine Monitor written in Rust for modern cloud workloads, with minimal hardware emulation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Security
The project cites Rust implementation and minimal emulated devices as ways to avoid common security issues.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Support
The project directs users to GitHub discussions or Slack for help, GitHub issues for bug reports, and a mailing list for broader discussions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Boot performance
The maker says direct kernel boot reaches userspace in less than 100 ms.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Devices
It supports paravirtualized devices and physical device passthrough.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Distribution packages
Packages for some popular Linux distributions are available through the Open Build Service.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Governance
The project says it is governed openly as part of the Linux Foundation and supported by multiple organizations.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Guest architecture
bothRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Guest operating systems
It supports modern Linux and Windows guests.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Host architectures
It runs on x86-64 and AArch64 hosts.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Host platforms
LinuxRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Integration
Kata Containers supports Cloud Hypervisor for running secure containerized workloads.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Linux host requirement
The documented minimum host kernel is 4.11 for required KVM functionality, with 5.6 recommended for adequate performance.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Management interface
bothRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Migration
It supports live migration of VMs between hosts without interruption.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Migration encryption
The v53.0 release notes say live migration data can be encrypted using mutual TLS.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
Nested virtualization
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org
VM control
Operators can control VM lifecycles through a REST API, command-line interface, or optional D-Bus API.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
VM snapshots
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org

Plans and prices

Cloud Hypervisor Free Open-source VMM; no commercial plan or usage limits stated on the pages reviewed Read 7 Oct 2026 · cloudhypervisor.org

Every Cloud Hypervisor plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Linux and Windows guests
  • Offers snapshots and nested virtualization
  • Live migration can use mutual TLS
  • Free and open source

Limits

  • Requires a Linux host
  • Kernel 4.11 is the documented minimum
  • Kernel 5.6 is recommended for performance

Who it suits

It suits operators who need a free virtual machine monitor for Linux hosts and modern Linux or Windows guests. It may fit teams using API or command-line VM management, live migration, or Kata Containers.

Verdict

Cloud Hypervisor provides VM lifecycle controls, device passthrough, and live migration without a commercial plan or stated usage limits. Check the Linux kernel requirement before choosing it for a host.

Where Specifiction places it

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