VMTek
7-day free trial; one-time in-app purchase to unlock the full version (price not listed in static page content — check the App Store listing)
Price checked at source August 28, 2026.
A native-feeling Mac virtualization app from a small indie developer, using Apple’s own Virtualization framework for VM performance rather than emulation.
Our take
A newer, smaller alternative to UTM aimed squarely at Mac UI conventions — a graphical snapshot manager, APFS-aware disk cloning, and Retina-aware guest resizing that read as native rather than ported. No subscription, ever, per the developer: a free 7-day trial, then a one-time in-app purchase for the full version — the exact price isn’t listed in static page content, so check the App Store listing before buying.
- Price
- 7-day free trial; one-time in-app purchase to unlock the full version (price not listed in static page content — check the App Store listing)
- License
- Proprietary
- Get it via
- Mac App Store
- Developer
- Cyaneous Inc.
Do you use VMTek?
Who made this
Cyaneous is a Canadian Mac software studio — per VMTek’s own site, making Mac software there for over 20 years. No individual maker is named on the listing or site.
What it does
Native Virtualization framework
Uses Apple’s processor-native virtualization rather than emulation, for guest performance closer to running the OS directly.
Graphical snapshot manager
Fast, space-efficient snapshots using APFS features, managed through a visual interface rather than the command line.
Retina and trackpad support
Native Retina-display resizing and Mac trackpad gestures inside macOS guests — built to avoid the black-border, mouse-only feel of older VM apps.
The deal
- Free 7-day trial, full features
- One-time in-app purchase to unlock permanently — no subscription
Worth knowing: The exact one-time purchase price isn’t published in static page content — the developer states “no subscriptions at all, ever” alongside a free 7-day trial, with the full unlock priced in-app. Check the current price on the App Store before buying.
VMTek — questions people ask
Is VMTek a subscription?
No — the developer states there are no subscriptions at all. It’s a free 7-day trial, then a one-time in-app purchase to unlock the full version.
What guest operating systems does VMTek support?
The developer’s site documents both macOS and Linux guests (with setup steps for each) using Apple’s Virtualization framework — check the developer’s site for the current full list.
Who makes VMTek?
Cyaneous Inc., per its Mac App Store listing and support contact.
Is VMTek free?
VMTek costs 7-day free trial; one-time in-app purchase to unlock the full version (price not listed in static page content — check the App Store listing).
Does VMTek work alongside a notch app like Alcove?
Yes — VMTek lives in the screen, so it runs happily alongside any Dynamic Island hub or notch app.
Where can I download VMTek?
VMTek is available via Mac App Store.
Reviews
No public ratings yet. Reader reviews are coming to Kitsmith soon.
Listing hand-verified August 28, 2026 from the developer's site and public sources.
Also in virtualization
UTM
Free (direct download); $9.99 one-time (Mac App Store — identical app, funds development + auto-updates)A free, open-source virtual machine app built specifically for Apple platforms — runs Windows, Linux, and even extra macOS guests, using Apple’s own virtualization framework or QEMU.
Parallels Desktop
From $54.99/yr (Standard, discounted from $99.99), or $219.99 one-time (current version only, no guaranteed future-OS compatibility); Pro $65.99/yr (subscription only); Business $97.49/yr per seat; Enterprise customThe flagship, Microsoft-authorized way to run Windows on a Mac — including Windows 11 on Apple Silicon — from the company that’s been building Mac virtualization since 2006.
Oracle VirtualBox
Free (base app, GPLv3); Extension Pack free for personal/educational use, paid Oracle license required for commercial useA free, open-source virtualization tool backed by Oracle, running natively on Apple Silicon since version 7.1 — the long-running default for anyone who wants a no-cost hypervisor.
Multipass
FreeA command-line tool from Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) that spins up disposable Ubuntu VMs in seconds — built for developers simulating cloud servers locally, not a general-purpose desktop VM app.