Freedom251 › Container Runtime Software
OpenVZ
What OpenVZ is
OpenVZ is free, open-source software for running multiple isolated Linux containers on one physical server. Containers share host CPU, memory, and storage dynamically, and the project says their performance is similar to standalone servers with near-native performance. Isolation covers filesystems, processes, IPC, and sysctl variables, while different Linux distributions can run on the same host. OpenVZ consists of a kernel, user-level tools, and container templates; listed tools include vzctl, ploop, and vzquota. The software is available under the GNU GPL, with a plan listed as free. It supports Linux hosts and does not support Windows containers. The project lists integrations with OpenVZ API for Ruby and LibVirt, along with live container snapshots. Integrated backup is unavailable; backup integration is only through snapshots. The project provides public mailing lists for users, developers, Debian-specific questions, CRIU development, and announcements. Its user guide identifies system administrators as the primary audience. The download guidance says RPM packages should be signed with the project's GPG key.
Who it suits
OpenVZ is aimed primarily at people administering one or more systems running OpenVZ. It suits Linux administrators who want to run isolated containers and different Linux distributions on a shared host.
What it does well
- Runs multiple isolated containers on one physical server.
- Different Linux distributions can share a host.
- Containers share CPU, memory, and storage dynamically.
- Live container snapshots are listed.
- Free open-source software under the GNU GPL.
What to know first
- Windows containers are not supported.
- Integrated backup is unavailable.
- Backup integration is only through snapshots.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVZ | Free open source software · GNU GPL | Free |
As openvz.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
OpenVZ offers Linux container virtualization with host resource sharing, isolation, and live snapshots. Administrators should account for its Linux-only support and limited backup integration.
Facts from OpenVZ's own pages
- Audience
- The user guide says the primary audience is people responsible for administering one or more systems running OpenVZ. · wiki.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Components
- OpenVZ consists of a kernel, user level tools, and container templates; listed tools include vzctl, ploop, and vzquota. · wiki.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The comparison page lists OpenVZ API for Ruby and LibVirt. · wiki.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Isolation
- The features page says containers are isolated from one another across filesystems, processes, IPC, and sysctl variables. · wiki.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- The project describes OpenVZ as free open source software available under the GNU GPL. · openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- OS support
- The features page says different Linux distributions can run in containers on the same host. · wiki.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Package security
- The download page says OpenVZ RPM packages should be signed with the project's GPG key, and the package signature guide explains how to verify them. · wiki.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Performance
- OpenVZ says its containers perform like stand alone servers with near native performance. · openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenVZ provides container based virtualization for Linux, allowing multiple isolated containers to run on one physical server. · openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Resource use
- Containers share host resources dynamically, including CPU, memory, and storage. · openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Snapshots and backups
- The comparison page lists live container snapshots, but says integrated backup is not available and backup integration is only through snapshots. · wiki.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project provides public mailing lists for users, developers, Debian specific questions, CRIU development, and announcements. · lists.openvz.org, 9 Oct 2026
Where OpenVZ stands on Freedom251
- Container Runtime Software#18 of 28
- Container Engines#20 of 31