What a macOS virtual machine is
A virtual machine (VM) is a complete second Mac that runs inside your Mac, with its own copy of macOS, its own apps and its own disk file. Since macOS 12 Monterey, Apple’s Virtualization framework lets apps on Apple silicon Macs create macOS virtual machines; UTM, VirtualBuddy and Parallels Desktop all build on it. The macOS version inside is downloaded from Apple.
People use macOS VMs to test software, try a new macOS version safely, and — with Rosetta going away — to keep Intel-only apps on an older macOS: a macOS 27 virtual machine still has Rosetta inside it.
The rules from Apple
- Licence: Apple’s macOS licence allows up to two extra copies of macOS in virtual machines on a Mac you own, for software development, testing during development, macOS Server, or personal, non-commercial use. More in macOS virtual machines and Apple’s licence explained.
- Apple Account: since macOS 15 you can sign in to iCloud inside a VM (host and VM on macOS 15 or later), but the App Store and App Store purchases don’t work there.
- Hardware: USB devices, drivers and some graphics features are limited; Parallels lists, for example, no iPhone or audio USB devices for macOS virtual machines.
UTM, VirtualBuddy and Parallels compared
| UTM | VirtualBuddy | Parallels Desktop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (open source); $9.99 in the Mac App Store, same features | Free (open source) | From $99.99 a year (Standard) or $219.99 once (US prices) |
| Current version | 4.7.5 (5.0 in beta) | 2.1 (2.2 in beta, needed for macOS 27 guests) | 27 |
| Guest systems | macOS, Linux, Windows | macOS only | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| How apps appear | Inside one window showing the whole second Mac | Inside one window showing the second Mac | Inside one window; Coherence (apps as separate windows) isn’t available for macOS VMs |
None of the three shows the apps of a macOS virtual machine as separate windows on your own desktop: you work inside the second Mac’s screen.
Where Keep86 fits
Keep86 uses the same Apple framework for one job: running your Intel-only apps after macOS 28. It sets up a macOS 27 virtual machine, keeps it hidden, and shows each app’s own windows on your normal desktop and in your Dock. It costs €5.99 a month, €27 for 6 months or €39 a year (pricing), is for personal use only, and is planned for October 2026.
One question applies to every tool here: Apple hasn’t said whether a macOS 28 Mac will still let a macOS 27 virtual machine use Rosetta. Independent experts expect it to; we will test it as soon as the macOS 28 betas appear.
Which one should you use?
- You want to test macOS versions or run Linux too: UTM.
- You only need macOS VMs and like a simple app: VirtualBuddy.
- You also run Windows and want one paid, supported product: Parallels Desktop.
- You want specific Intel-only apps — say Google Earth Pro or Photoshop CS6 — to keep working like normal apps: that is what Keep86 is being built for. See how it works.
Common questions
Can a Mac run macOS in a virtual machine? Yes. Macs with Apple silicon can run macOS virtual machines with Apple’s Virtualization framework, for example with UTM, VirtualBuddy or Parallels Desktop.
How many macOS virtual machines can I run? Apple’s licence allows up to two extra copies of macOS in virtual machines on each Mac you own.
Is UTM free? Yes. UTM is free from its website and GitHub; the $9.99 Mac App Store version has the same features.
Can VirtualBuddy run Windows? No. VirtualBuddy runs macOS virtual machines only.
Can I use the App Store inside a macOS virtual machine? No. You can sign in to iCloud (macOS 15 or later), but the App Store doesn’t work in a virtual machine.
Sources
- UTM, “macOS guests” documentation — https://docs.getutm.app/guest-support/macos/
- UTM, website and releases (4.7.5, 3 January 2026; 5.0.6 beta, 24 September 2026) — https://mac.getutm.app/ · https://github.com/utmapp/UTM/releases
- VirtualBuddy (Guilherme Rambo), repository and releases (2.1, 14 September 2025; 2.2 beta 6, 5 October 2026) — https://github.com/insidegui/VirtualBuddy
- Parallels, KB 128867 “Known issues and limitations of macOS virtual machines on Mac with Apple silicon”, 27 January 2026 — https://kb.parallels.com/en/128867
- TidBITS, Parallels Desktop 27 (prices), 28 August 2026 — https://tidbits.com/?p=75441
- Eclectic Light (Howard Oakley), “Sequoia virtualisation and Apple ID”, 12 July 2024 — https://eclecticlight.co/2024/07/12/sequoia-virtualisation-and-apple-id/
- Eclectic Light, “How to survive the loss of Rosetta”, 14 March 2026 — https://eclecticlight.co/2026/03/14/how-to-survive-the-loss-of-rosetta/
- Apple, macOS software licence agreements — https://www.apple.com/legal/sla/