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SPECIFICTION
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GNOME Boxes

apps.gnome.org

Free plan Linux
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Spec score 8.2 #9 of 26 in Hypervisor Software

What it is

GNOME Boxes is a free Linux desktop app for creating and managing local virtual machines, then installing an operating system in them. Its automatic installation list includes CentOS Stream, Debian, Fedora, Microsoft Windows, OpenSUSE, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu. Users can set memory and storage limits, save a VM state as a snapshot, and restore it later. Host integration includes shared clipboard, file drop, and shared folders; USB redirection makes devices plugged into the computer available inside a VM. Guest tools can improve input performance, screen resizing, clipboard sharing, and file transfer. Windows guests use spice-guest-tools, while Linux guests commonly use spice-vdagent. Boxes uses qemu-kvm, libvirt-glib, and spice-gtk to manage virtual machines. Three-dimensional acceleration is available for some supported systems. GNOME recommends processor virtualization extensions, at least 8 GB RAM, and 20 GB free disk space for efficient use. Boxes is for local VMs; GNOME points to Connections for remote machines and displays. The app is free and desktop-only.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Boxes lets users create and manage local virtual machines and install an operating system in one.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apps.gnome.org
3D acceleration
3D acceleration is available for some supported operating systems.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Distribution
GNOME directs users to install the latest version from Flathub; the Flathub listing labels it desktop-only and lists a 46 MiB download.Read 5 Oct 2026 · flathub.org
GPU acceleration
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Guest tools
Guest tools can improve input performance, screen resizing, clipboard sharing, and file transfer; Windows guests use spice-guest-tools and Linux guests commonly use spice-vdagent.Read 5 Oct 2026 · help.gnome.org
Hardware requirements
Boxes performs best with processor virtualization extensions enabled; GNOME recommends at least 8 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space for efficient use.Read 5 Oct 2026 · help.gnome.org
Host integration
Boxes supports shared clipboard, file drop, and shared folders between the host system and virtual machines.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Host platforms
LinuxRead 20 Sep 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Local use
Boxes provides access to local virtual machines; GNOME directs users to Connections for remote virtual machines or remote computer displays.Read 5 Oct 2026 · help.gnome.org
Management interface
desktopRead 20 Sep 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Project background
The GNOME Project was founded in 1997 by Miguel de Icaza and Federico Mena and is backed by the non-profit GNOME Foundation.Read 5 Oct 2026 · gnome.org
Resource controls
Users can limit virtual machines’ memory and storage use.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Snapshots
Users can save a virtual machine state as a snapshot and restore it later.Read 5 Oct 2026 · help.gnome.org
Support and contributions
The app page links to online help, an issue tracker, translation contributions, and general app contributions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apps.gnome.org
Supported systems
The app lists automatic installation for CentOS Stream, Debian, Fedora, Microsoft Windows, OpenSUSE, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apps.gnome.org
USB access
USB redirection makes devices plugged into the local computer available inside a virtual machine.Read 5 Oct 2026 · help.gnome.org
Virtualization stack
Boxes uses qemu-kvm, libvirt-glib, and spice-gtk to manage virtual machines.Read 5 Oct 2026 · help.gnome.org
VM snapshots
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apps.gnome.org

Plans and prices

Boxes Free Free application; desktop only Read 5 Oct 2026 · flathub.org

Every GNOME Boxes plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free Linux desktop application
  • Automatic installation covers seven listed operating systems
  • Snapshots can save and restore VM state
  • Supports shared folders and USB redirection

Limits

  • For local virtual machines, not remote ones
  • GNOME recommends at least 8 GB RAM
  • GNOME recommends 20 GB free disk space

Who it suits

It suits Linux users who want to create and manage virtual machines on their local computer. It is not the app GNOME directs users to for remote virtual machines or displays.

Verdict

Boxes brings local VM creation, snapshots, and host integration into a free Linux desktop app. Efficient use depends on suitable memory, storage, and processor virtualization support.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to GNOME BoxesAll alternatives →