Burrow MacOS
Claim this toolOne-click Linux, Windows 11 ARM, and macOS VMs on Apple silicon
From $4/user/mo, billed monthly (free plan available)Freemium Developer Tools
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Tracked since 2026
The Bottom Line
- Price
- From $4/user/mo, billed monthly (free plan available). Compare plans
Key facts
- Run Linux, Windows 11 on ARM, and macOS on Apple silicon Macs with one-click setup and no ISO hunting
- Built on Apple's Virtualization.framework with QEMU for Windows guests, featuring suspend/resume, snapshots, and sparse disks
- Includes burrowctl CLI for headless machine management and is fully open-source under the MIT license
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with MIT license
- No need to manually download or manage ISO files
- Native SwiftUI app designed specifically for Apple silicon Macs
Cons
- Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and Apple silicon hardware
- Windows 11 guests require QEMU installation and may need a patched build for optimal display performance
What is Burrow MacOS?
Burrow is a free, open-source virtual machine manager designed specifically for Apple silicon Macs. It allows users to run Linux, Windows 11 on ARM, and macOS guests with a single click, eliminating the need to hunt for ISO files or pay license fees. The application is built natively with SwiftUI and leverages Apple's Virtualization.framework for Linux and macOS guests, while using QEMU with Hypervisor.framework acceleration for Windows 11 on ARM guests.
Burrow fetches installers directly from the publishers, verifies them against published SHA-256 checksums, and caches them for reuse. It includes features like suspend and resume, instant clones and snapshots via APFS copy-on-write, sparse disks, shared folders, clipboard sharing, and Rosetta support for x86-64 Linux binaries. The project also includes burrowctl, a command-line tool for running the same machines headless in scripts and on servers. Everything runs locally, and the code is MIT licensed.
Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked · How we evaluate
Source github.com Key Features
- One-click download and creation of Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Alpine), Windows 11 on ARM, and macOS virtual machines
- Installer verification against publisher-published SHA-256 checksums with caching for reuse
- Suspend and resume with memory and device state saved to disk
- Instant clones and snapshots using APFS copy-on-write technology
- Sparse disks using Apple Sparse Image Format (ASIF) with raw sparse fallback
- Shared folders (virtio-fs), clipboard sharing (SPICE agent), Rosetta for x86-64 Linux binaries, sound, optional microphone, and NAT networking
- burrowctl command-line tool for creating, configuring, cloning, snapshotting, and running machines headless
- Windows 11 on ARM setup with autounattend.xml that skips TPM and Secure Boot checks and installs virtio-win ARM64 drivers
Pricing Plans
Free TrialPricing checked Oct 22, 2026. Source: github.com/pricing, read Oct 22, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free |
+3 more Show less
|
| Team | $4 / user/month |
+6 more Show less
|
| Enterprise | $21 / user/month |
+9 more Show less
|
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Burrow MacOS FAQ
How does Burrow MacOS let users run operating systems without manually downloading ISO files?
Burrow MacOS fetches installers directly from the publishers, verifies them against published SHA-256 checksums, and caches them for reuse. This eliminates the need to hunt for ISO files or manage them manually. Everything runs locally and is controlled from a single click.
Which operating systems can Burrow MacOS run on an Apple silicon Mac?
Burrow MacOS can run Linux, Windows 11 on ARM, and macOS guests. It uses Apple's Virtualization.framework for Linux and macOS guests, and QEMU with Hypervisor.framework acceleration for Windows 11 on ARM guests. The app is designed specifically for Apple silicon hardware.
How does Burrow MacOS handle Windows 11 on ARM guests differently from Linux and macOS guests?
For Windows 11 on ARM, Burrow MacOS relies on QEMU with Hypervisor.framework acceleration instead of Apple's Virtualization.framework. This means Windows 11 guests require QEMU to be installed, and a patched build may be needed for optimal display performance. Linux and macOS guests do not require QEMU.
Can Burrow MacOS be used from the command line for scripting or running headless?
Yes, Burrow MacOS includes burrowctl, a command-line tool that can run the same machines headless in scripts and on servers. This allows automation and remote or unattended VM operation. The graphical app and burrowctl share the same underlying machine definitions.
What kind of user does Burrow MacOS fit best?
Burrow MacOS fits developers who work on Apple silicon Macs and need to quickly spin up Linux, Windows 11 on ARM, or macOS VMs for testing, cross-platform development, or CI-like workflows. Its one-click installers and free open-source model also suit individual developers and small teams who want to avoid license fees and manual setup. Because it requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later, it is best for users on recent Apple silicon hardware.
How is Burrow MacOS priced?
Burrow MacOS is available on a free tier, with paid plans for more usage and features. The application itself is also open source under the MIT license. No license fees are required to run guests, and installers come directly from the publishers.
Does Burrow MacOS support snapshots, clones, and sharing features?
Yes, Burrow MacOS includes instant clones and snapshots via APFS copy-on-write, as well as suspend and resume, sparse disks, shared folders, and clipboard sharing. It also supports Rosetta for running x86-64 Linux binaries. These features work with the native SwiftUI interface and burrowctl.
Why would a user choose Burrow MacOS over manually setting up VMs with other tools?
Burrow MacOS eliminates the need to manually download or manage ISO files by fetching installers directly from publishers, verifying checksums, and caching them. It is built natively with SwiftUI for Apple silicon Macs and is completely free and open source with an MIT license. The single-click workflow plus features like snapshots, clones, and burrowctl make VM management faster and more reproducible.
Source: github.com