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SPECIFICTION
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Multipass

canonical.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.2 #9 of 24 in Virtual machine software

What it is

Multipass runs cloud-style virtual machines on Linux, macOS, and Windows workstations. It is intended for prototyping cloud deployments locally and creating customized Linux development environments. Instances can use cloud-init metadata, including custom definitions for configured servers, and local workflows can model deployments for AWS, Azure, Google, IBM, and Oracle. Multipass fetches Ubuntu images from Canonical and offers a growing catalogue of images with pre-installed applications. Users can share host files and folders with instances; the primary instance integrates with the native filesystem and has dedicated hot-key access. Both command-line and graphical interfaces are available, and the documentation covers Windows Terminal integration and running Docker containers in an instance. Host hypervisors are Host Compute System on Windows, Apple Virtualization on macOS, and QEMU on Linux. The product is free; the listed plan costs nothing, with host requirements varying by operating system. Anyone with access to the Multipass daemon socket can fully control the software, including mounting host filesystems and changing instance security features. Canonical advises limiting daemon access to trusted users. Its access controls begin with group membership and can later use a user TLS certificate.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Multipass launches and runs cloud-style virtual machines on a workstation.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · canonical.com
Access control
Canonical advises restricting daemon access to trusted users; access control begins with group membership and can later use a user TLS certificate.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Cloud simulation
Multipass can simulate cloud deployments locally using workflows modeled on AWS, Azure, Google, IBM and Oracle.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Cloud-init
Instances can be configured with cloud-init metadata, including custom definitions to create configured servers.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Container workflow
The documentation includes instructions for running a Docker container in a Multipass instance.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Daemon access
Anyone with access to the Multipass daemon socket can fully control Multipass, including mounting host filesystems and changing instance security features.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Developer use
Canonical describes Multipass as a tool for prototyping cloud deployments and creating customized Linux development environments.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Guest architecture
bothRead 20 Sep 2026 · canonical.com
Host file sharing
Users can share files and folders between the host and virtual machine instances.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Host platforms
Linux,macOS,WindowsRead 20 Sep 2026 · canonical.com
Host virtualization
The product page lists Host Compute System for Windows, Apple Virtualization for macOS and QEMU for Linux as its platform hypervisors.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Image library
Multipass fetches Ubuntu images from Canonical and offers a growing catalogue of images with pre-installed applications.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Interfaces
Multipass provides a command-line interface and a graphical interface, and its documentation includes Windows Terminal integration instructions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Management interface
bothRead 20 Sep 2026 · canonical.com
Primary instance
The primary instance integrates with the native filesystem and has dedicated hot-key access.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
Support and community
The project documentation directs users to its Discourse forum and GitHub for questions, issues and contributions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com
VM snapshots
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · canonical.com
Windows prerequisite
The current installation guide says Windows 10 or 11 Home, Pro or Enterprise is supported from version 1809, with Virtual Machine Platform enabled.Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com

Plans and prices

Multipass Free Prototype cloud launches locally; host requirements vary by operating system Read 5 Oct 2026 · canonical.com

Every Multipass plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows hosts.
  • Offers command-line and graphical interfaces.
  • Configures instances with cloud-init metadata.
  • Shares files and folders between host and instances.
  • Provides VM snapshots.

Limits

  • Host requirements vary by operating system.
  • Daemon socket access grants full control.
  • Windows installation requires Virtual Machine Platform enabled.

Who it suits

Multipass suits developers who want local Linux environments or cloud-style deployment prototypes on a workstation. It offers command-line and graphical interfaces, with host-specific virtualization support across Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Verdict

Multipass provides local virtual machines, cloud-init configuration, and workflows modeled on major cloud providers. Its daemon socket grants broad control, so access should be limited to trusted users.

Where Specifiction places it

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