LXD

LXD suits Linux operators who need to manage system containers and virtual machines side by side. Its mix of workload types, interfaces and deployment scale is a strong fit for infrastructure teams; Linux-only hosting and the lack of a desktop GUI make it a poor match for users seeking a cross-platform desktop app.

Overview

LXD combines LXC-based system containers with KVM-based virtual machines in one platform. It supports images for many Linux distributions and Windows VMs, giving operators a choice of guest workload without managing separate platforms. Windows support is for virtual machines, not Windows containers.

Administration is available through a CLI, a REST API, a web UI and third-party tools. The single HTTP API supports local and remote access, which makes it useful for both direct control and automation. An official UI is available by default starting with LXD 5.21.0 LTS, but LXD has no desktop GUI.

Key features

Operational controls: Resource limits, projects, scheduled and expiring snapshots, hardware passthrough, live migration and advanced networking serve more demanding infrastructure workflows than basic container management.

Security: Containers run unprivileged by default; VMs support UEFI Secure Boot and vTPM. These defaults and options help address isolation and VM security needs without changing workload type.

Scale and integrations: LXD can run from a laptop to a data center, with documented clusters of up to 50 servers and thousands of instances. Integrations for Juju, MAAS, Ansible, Terraform, Puppet Bolt and Packer make it a better fit for teams already using those tools.

Lifecycle and help: LTS releases arrive every two years and receive five years of standard support. Documentation, tutorials, a discussion forum and GitHub contribution channels provide community support; Canonical sells commercial support through Ubuntu Pro.

Pricing

The open-source plan is free and includes KVM-based VMs, system containers and self-hosted deployment. It is the straightforward choice for users who want LXD itself without a subscription.

Ubuntu Pro Personal is free for up to 5 physical Ubuntu systems, with unlimited VMs or containers. That cap applies to physical systems, not workloads, making it suitable for personal use within that footprint.

For paid Ubuntu Pro options, Enterprise workstation costs $25 a year, billed per workstation, and Enterprise server costs $500 a year, billed per server. Both are security and compliance subscriptions with optional support. The workstation plan fits workstation deployments; the per-server plan fits server estates. The open-source plan does not include those stated subscription benefits.

A free trial is available.

Platforms

LXD runs on Linux hosts and supports Linux, self-hosted, API and web platforms. Rootless mode and image building are supported. Its hybrid runtime mode covers both containers and VMs, but Linux-only hosting rules it out for teams that need to run the platform on macOS or Windows.

Who it's for

LXD is best for Linux administrators and infrastructure teams that want one management layer for containers and VMs, remote API access, and room to grow from a single machine to a cluster. Its controls and integrations suit operational environments; users who need a desktop GUI or non-Linux hosts should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pro: Containers and KVM VMs share one platform, including support for Windows VM images.

Pro: A single local-and-remote REST API, CLI, web UI and third-party tooling offer several ways to manage the same environment.

Pro: The free open-source plan supports self-hosting, while Ubuntu Pro Personal allows unlimited workloads across up to 5 physical Ubuntu systems.

Con: Linux is the only supported host OS, limiting portability for teams standardized on other systems.

Con: There is no desktop GUI, which makes LXD less suited to users who expect a conventional desktop management app.

Con: Commercial Ubuntu Pro subscriptions are charged per workstation or server, so costs depend on the size of the managed estate.

Alternatives

Docker Desktop is worth considering for teams that need Linux, macOS and Windows platforms; its free Personal plan includes Docker Desktop, Docker Engine and Kubernetes alongside Docker Hub, Scout and Debug, while Pro costs $9 a month.

Incus is a free-software alternative under the Apache 2 license, with listed platforms spanning API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted and Windows.

Apptainer is another free open-source container platform, with commercial support available through partners.

OrbStack is a macOS-only option with a free personal, non-commercial plan covering containers and Linux machines, plus community support.

Rancher Desktop is a free alternative across API, Linux, macOS and Windows platforms.

Finch offers a free plan across Linux, macOS and Windows with no licensing tiers or commercial agreements required.

gVisor is a free Linux-compatible sandbox for Linux and self-hosted use; it requires Linux 5.6 or later and x86_64 or ARM64.

youki is a Linux-only alternative distributed under the Apache-2.0 license, with no-charge, royalty-free use, reproduction and distribution.

Browse Container Runtime Software, Container Engines or Virtualization Management Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose LXD if you operate Linux infrastructure and want containers and VMs managed through one API and toolset, with a free self-hosted starting point and a clear path to Ubuntu Pro subscriptions. Look elsewhere if you need a desktop GUI or hosts beyond Linux.