saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

virtual machine program · Microsoft

Windows Subsystem for Linux

Windows feature that runs Linux distributions in a lightweight virtual machine, with open-source code and no extra price.

71/100

#5 of 12 virtual machine programs
Facts checked 9 Oct 2026

In short

WSL suits developers who want Linux command-line tools, GPU access and shared Windows drives without managing a full virtual machine1,3,10. It costs nothing extra and works on Windows Home10. The catch: it runs Linux only, documents no snapshots with rollback, and needs a third-party tool for USB4,11.

Best for: Developers who want Linux tools and distributions on a Windows PC.

Where the points come from

Systems9 of 17
Virtual machines12 of 27
Devices18 of 24
Openness and upkeep14 of 14
Price18 of 18

Systems 9 of 17 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Guest systemsLinuxWSL 2 runs Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian and Kali on a Linux kernel in a managed VM; no Windows guest is documented1,2,9.4 / 8
Also runs on other hostsNoneWSL is a Windows feature; no macOS or Linux host release is listed1.0 / 4
Works on Windows HomeYesFAQ says WSL 2 is available on all desktop editions, including Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Home10.5 / 5

Virtual machines 12 of 27 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
SnapshotsNot publishedDocs offer export and import of a distribution to a file; rolling back to a saved state is not described11.0 / 8
Virtual TPM and Secure BootNot publishedNot published on the WSL configuration page3.0 / 5
Network modesNAT, BridgednetworkingMode lists nat (default) and bridged; bridged is deprecated since WSL 2.4.5. Host-only is not listed3.4 / 6
Nested virtualizationYesnestedVirtualization is on by default so other VMs can run inside WSL 2; Windows 11 only3.4 / 4
Starts from a ready-made imageYeswsl --install -d <Distro> installs a vendor-listed distribution; wsl --list --online shows the choices2.4 / 4

Devices 18 of 24 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
3D graphics for guestsYesSetting gpuSupport lets Linux apps use the Windows GPU through para-virtualization3.8 / 8
USB devices in the guestNoDocs say USB is not natively available in WSL and needs the third-party usbipd-win project4.0 / 6
Shared foldersYesFixed Windows drives mount automatically under /mnt, so both sides read the same files3,10.6 / 6
Shared clipboardYesWSLg aims at cut and paste across Windows and Linux applications8.4 / 4

Openness and upkeep 14 of 14 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Open sourceYesThe microsoft/WSL repository carries an MIT licence label; the docs call WSL open source1,5.6 / 6
Security advisories publishedYesMicrosoft's July 2026 security updates name the WSL2 kernel in CVE-2026-57968 and CVE-2026-5797312. GitHub lists no advisories of its own7.4 / 4
Updated in the last 12 monthsYesReleases page marks version 3.0.1 as latest, dated 29 September 20266.4 / 4

Price 18 of 18 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free editionYesBuilt into Windows with no separate edition or fee listed1,2.6 / 6
Cheapest licence for work use$0Windows feature with no separate price; counted as $0 under our rule1,2.12 / 12

The rule behind each line: how we score virtual machine programs.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
WSL1 personIncluded with Windows1,2$0Windows feature; no separate price listed

Strengths

  • Works on Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Home10.
  • Source code is public under the MIT licence5.
  • Windows drives mount under /mnt, and GPU access is on by default3,10.
  • Installs a distribution with one command, wsl --install2.

Limits

  • Only Linux distributions are documented as guests1,2.
  • USB support is not built in and needs the usbipd-win project4.
  • Docs describe export and import of a distribution to a file; they do not describe rolling back to a saved state11.
  • Bridged networking is deprecated and nested virtualization is Windows 11 only3.

Other virtual machine programs

  1. 1
    Oracle VirtualBoxPeople who want a free, open-source virtual machine app on Windows
    92/100
    $0cheapest licence for work use
  2. 2
    VMware Workstation ProWindows users who want a free hypervisor with snapshots and shared folders
    79/100
    $0cheapest licence for work use
  3. 3
    NanaBoxWindows users who want a light Hyper-V front end with GPU and TPM options
    74/100
    $0cheapest licence for work use
  4. 4
    Microsoft Hyper-VWindows Pro users who want virtual machines without extra software
    73/100
    $0cheapest licence for work use

All 12 virtual machine programs

Sources

  1. What is Windows Subsystem for Linux, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  2. Install WSL, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  3. Advanced settings configuration in WSL, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  4. Connect USB devices, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  5. microsoft/WSL, GitHub. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  6. WSL releases, GitHub. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  7. WSL security, GitHub. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  8. microsoft/wslg, GitHub. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  9. Comparing WSL Versions, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  10. FAQ's about Windows Subsystem for Linux, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  11. Basic commands for WSL, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
  12. July 2026 Security Updates, Microsoft Security Response Center. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.

Website: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/about · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Microsoft.