--- title: NanaBox canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/nanabox/ category: Virtual Machine Software points: 74 rank: 3 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # NanaBox Free, open-source Windows app that runs Hyper-V virtual machines with a simple interface, GPU sharing and a JSON settings file. 74 points out of 100. #3 of 12 virtual machine programs. Vendor: M2-Team. Website: https://github.com/M2Team/NanaBox - NanaBox is free and open source; the optional Sponsor Edition add-on costs $99.99 and only changes a toolbar button [4]. - It runs on Windows 10 version 2004 or later and Windows Server 2022 or later, on x86 and ARM, with no edition limit listed [1]. - It documents TPM 2.0 (Windows 11 24H2 or later host), Secure Boot, GPU paravirtualization and nested virtualization [1][2]. - Version 1.7 was released on September 20, 2026 [5]. - The repository has no security policy and lists no security advisories [6]. Verdict: NanaBox suits Windows users who want Hyper-V machines with TPM, Secure Boot and GPU options without paying [1][2][4]. The source is MIT-licensed and a release landed in September 2026 [3][5]. The catch: it runs on Windows only, documents no snapshots, and has no security policy [1][2][6]. Best for: Windows users who want a light Hyper-V front end with GPU and TPM options. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Guest systems | Windows, Linux | 8/8 | The configuration reference lets the GuestType setting be Windows, Linux or Unknown [2]. | | Systems | Also runs on other hosts | None | 0/4 | The readme lists only Windows 10 and Windows Server 2022 or later as hosts [1]. | | Systems | Works on Windows Home | Yes | 5/5 | The readme lists Windows 10 version 2004 or later and names no edition limit [1]. | | Virtual machines | Snapshots | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the readme or configuration reference [1][2]. | | Virtual machines | Virtual TPM and Secure Boot | Yes | 5/5 | Configuration reference has Tpm (TPM 2.0, Windows 11 24H2 host) and SecureBoot options [2]. | | Virtual machines | Network modes | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the readme or configuration reference: no NAT, bridged or host-only modes are named [1][2]. | | Virtual machines | Nested virtualization | Yes | 4/4 | ExposeVirtualizationExtensions exposes virtualization extensions to the VM; the readme says it supports nested virtualization [1][2]. | | Virtual machines | Starts from a ready-made image | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the readme or configuration reference [1][2]. | | Devices | 3D graphics for guests | Yes | 8/8 | The Gpu setting supports GPU-P partitioning and GPU-PV paravirtualization [2]. | | Devices | USB devices in the guest | Yes | 6/6 | Enhanced-session device redirection passes host devices to the guest; the documented example value is a USB device ID [2]. | | Devices | Shared folders | Yes | 6/6 | Plan9Shares and VirtualSmbShares share host paths with the guest, read-only or read/write [2]. | | Devices | Shared clipboard | Yes | 4/4 | EnhancedSession.RedirectClipboard redirects the host clipboard to the virtual machine [2]. | | Openness and upkeep | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | Application source code is under the MIT licence [3]. | | Openness and upkeep | Security advisories published | No | 0/4 | GitHub shows no security policy and no published security advisories [6]. | | Openness and upkeep | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 4/4 | NanaBox 1.7 (1.7.1633.0) was published on September 20, 2026 [5]. | | Price | Free edition | Yes | 6/6 | Described as a fully free and open source project [4]. | | Price | Cheapest licence for work use | $0 | 12/12 | Free app; the $99.99 Sponsor Edition add-on is optional [4]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | NanaBox | Free [4] | $0 | A $99.99 Sponsor Edition add-on exists in the Microsoft Store, but it only changes a toolbar button, so the free app is the cheapest licence for work use [4]. ## Strengths - Free with MIT-licensed application code [3][4]. - Documents TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot switches, plus GPU-PV and GPU partitioning [1][2]. - Shares host folders with the guest through Plan 9 or Virtual SMB [2]. - Updated often: version 1.7 came out on September 20, 2026 [5]. ## Limits - Runs on Windows hosts only; no macOS or Linux release is listed [1]. - The docs do not describe snapshots or checkpoints [1][2]. - TPM needs a Windows 11 24H2 or later host, and does not work with only the Virtual Machine Platform feature [1]. - The repository has no security policy and no published advisories [6]. - It needs elevated privileges through UAC [1]. ## Sources 1. [NanaBox ReadMe](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/M2Team/NanaBox/main/ReadMe.md), GitHub (M2-Team), accessed 2026-10-09 2. [NanaBox configuration reference](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/M2Team/NanaBox/main/Documents/ConfigurationReference.md), GitHub (M2-Team), accessed 2026-10-09 3. [NanaBox licence](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/M2Team/NanaBox/main/License.md), GitHub (M2-Team), accessed 2026-10-09 4. [NanaBox Sponsor Edition](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/M2Team/NanaBox/main/Documents/SponsorEdition.md), GitHub (M2-Team), accessed 2026-10-09 5. [NanaBox releases](https://api.github.com/repos/M2Team/NanaBox/releases), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-09 6. [M2Team/NanaBox security](https://github.com/M2Team/NanaBox/security), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-09