- Vmware Or Virtualbox Macos
- Vmware Vs Virtualbox For Mac Virtualbox
- Vmware Fusion Vs Virtualbox
- Vmware Vs Virtualbox Comparison
- Vmware Vs Virtualbox For Mac Os
VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2. VMware Fusion: Powerfully Simple Virtual Machines for Mac. VMware Fusion Pro and VMware Fusion Player Desktop Hypervisors give Mac users the power to run Windows on Mac along with hundreds of other operating systems, containers or Kubernetes clusters, side by side with Mac applications, without rebooting. Fusion products are simple enough for home users and powerful enough for IT.
VirtualBox vs VMware Performance Comparison 2019 – Virtualbox and Vmware are the two tops software to create virtualization in desktop environment. Which one is better? It is hard question to answer because several aspects involve if you want to find the pros and cons on both sides.
Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019 starts from understanding both of software, price, license, performance, compatibility, data transfer, and security.
Table of Contents
- 1 VirtualBox vs VMware Performance Comparison 2019
- 1.1 Virtualbox Vs Vmware 2019, Which One Is Better?
- 1.2 More to Know about Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019
VirtualBox vs VMware Performance Comparison 2019
What is virtual machine and virtualization? In desktop computer, one device uses one platform or operating system. For example, you have laptop or PC with OS from Linux, Windows, or OSX. Of course, OSX goes alongside with Mac computer.
The point is they use single platform to operate and perform the task. For few people, it is not what they want. You might be a programmer and need to test the environment in many platforms. You can try software at each laptop with different OS, but it’s not efficient.
This is where virtual machine comes into the right place. You can install it to create isolated environment in one platform then run different OS simultaneously as similar to running usual software.
Virtualbox Vs Vmware 2019, Which One Is Better?
Virtual machines help to operate different operating systems without going to the booting mode. In fact, you can have as many platforms as possible as long as there is enough disk and space to allocate. Furthermore, using virtual machine is more reliable than direct installation. As you know, OSX is the most difficult OS to install in non-Mac device.
Moreover, Virtualbox is application to create virtual machine on desktop computer. It is open source software where you can get it freely without paying. At first, it was available under the Sun Microsystems license. Now, Virtualbox is a part of Oracle Corporation. Even though it is free, several parts or extended sections are longer open source due to expanded development.
When discussing about Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019, you need to know more than features or capability. You have to understand historical background and developer that’s responsible for its development. Sun Microsystems was popular due to open source license.
After Oracle acquisition, many licenses and products are not free anymore. On the other side, Virtualbox becomes more popular as the top virtual machine because Oracle is behind this software.
Then, what is Vmware? The first virtual machine is Vmware. That’s why this software will be at the top list when people asking about virtualization in desktop computer. At first, the software was limited to personal use.
Nowadays, you can get several versions from the basic and personal to more advance ones. Recent Vmware is under Dell Technologies. When talking about Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019, only version with the same features is being used to make comparison.
Price and license
The obvious way to start this comparison is from the price and license. As it mentioned above, virtualbox is open source, so the core engine is free. Under Oracle, this software has upgrade to expand the capability.
At result, some extension packs are no longer free for users. You need to buy license directly from Oracle. However, there is good news for personal, educational, and non-profit use. They can have Virtualbox without charge as long as they follow the rule. This is why people like Virtualbox because of less cost to utilize.
In general, Vmware is also free but only for limited use. As similar to Virtualbox, you can install it without charge if it’s only for educational and non-profit use. That’s the first intention when Vmware was found at the first place.
However, free version of Vmware cannot head to head with Virtualbox in term of license and price. You get completely limited access and features. Therefore, Virtualbox is better for users who need lower price and free license.
Installation and user interface
The next thing is about installation. It is the key in many virtual machines or engines. At least, two operating systems will be in one device. Installation wizard helps users to create virtual partition and allocation.
Both of software have this feature to make sure every allocation is in proper order. You can decide how much capacity from hard disk for new operating system in Virtualbox and Vmware. However, Vmware seems a slightly better because it’s simpler.
Graphic and performance
Both of software has the excellent graphic and performance. Virtualbox has smaller file than Vmware, which less graphic specs do not bother to organize guest operating systems. You can have Windows XP as guest OS in newer Windows version. Everything works fine without excellent performance.
On contrary, Vmware is specifically for new specs in computer industry. The software will have issue if your graphic, RAM, and CPU are under requirement level. That’s why some operating systems cannot work properly.
Moreover, you might have issue when installing old system. However, Vmware is better in term of performance level. You can get faster process when consolidating many systems in one device.
Compatibility
The next section on Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019 is about compatibility. Developers want their software to be in the top compatibility in order to accommodate recent and future needs.
Virtualbox has been through many updates until the latest version is more reliable. It is similar to Vmware that make users simpler and faster to do virtualization. Both of software are compatible to Linux, Windows, and OSX. In term of update, Vmware is better that virtualbox.
Shared file and data transfer
When doing virtualization, the computer has isolated environment in its system. Guest OS in Virtualbox is completely out of touch from host. You might connect both, but it’s not easy thing to do. It affects the way your file and data are transferred each other.
On contrary, Vmware is more reliable in term of data transfer. Isolated environment does not mean lack of access to host storage. You can transfer file easily because guest OS acts as software that open the file directly. This is one of reason that seem forgotten when discussing about Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019.
Security
In security aspect, both are the top list due to very safety and secure. Interesting thing about virtual machine is the guest cannot bother host and vice versa. Windows system is vulnerable to virus, attack, malware, and hacker.
However, any malfunction or issue related to them will not bother virtualization process. You might see malware in Windows infects Linux in Windows host.
Programmers use virtualization to test software performance. Some bugs will show result differently if run in Windows and Linux. You might not see anything in Linux, but Windows give thing that need to be fixed immediately.
It is vice versa to other systems like OSX and UNIX. However, testing activity only works for desktop computer. You need emulation to test mobile app in PC or laptop. It will be explained at later section.
Personal and business use
For personal use, both are reliable. Users will spend less cost to get the basic feature. Virtualbox is slightly better, but Vmware is not bad at all. Developer provides free charge in this aspect.
Personal use includes educational and non-profit use. Student can have Virtualbox and Vmware for free to support their learning process. On-profit organization can also have virtual machine to handle their task.
In term of business use, Vmware is better because of many options. You can get professional feature for different purpose. For example, there are Vmware for small business, corporation, research, and others.
Based on the list above, you can formulate verdict related to Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019. There is no definite answer about this matter. You just adjust what you need and try to pick the best one that close enough to fulfill it. Both have free and paid versions. Moreover, Vmware and Virtualbox are backed by the top corporation, which are Dell and Oracle Respectively.
More to Know about Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019
Several things are interesting to know due to its correlation to virtualization and virtual machine. You may hear about emulation and cloud computing. Both look like virtualization, but with different implementation. You will get basic information about them at following sections.
Virtual machine vs. emulator
Virtual machine creates completely isolated environment. Guest OS acts as software with its own system. The host only provides necessary specs to allocate for virtualization. On the other hand, emulator is tool to do emulation process.
It turns part of devices to recognize foreign software or application to be recognizable. For example, you cannot play a game in PC because it only works on console. Both devices have different platforms. To accommodate this issue, emulator turns PC to recognize the game as their platform. Therefore, you can play it easily.
Cloud computing and virtualization
Cloud seems vague term because people seem have no idea about this matter. When you access email, there are feature to write, delete, edit, and other. Those functions are on email side not your computer.
It is small example of cloud computing. Advanced system authorizes users to do complex thing. Basically, every action and process does not use your own resource, except the computer connected to internet.
Cloud computing and emulation are different platform and system, but closely related. Both explanations only cover the smallest aspect to make sure you know the distinction. It is important as auxiliary thing related to Virtualbox vs Vmware 2019.
There was a time when Apple was thought to be the most valuable brand name in the world, and for good reason. Apple helped shaped the software industry through years of cut-throat and highly competitive competition with Microsoft.
Most recently, Apple’s greatest success revolves around the iPhone, but their Mac computer lines have gathered masses of devout and zealous followers who think Mac OSX is superior to Windows.
And in many rights, Mac OSX is higher quality than Windows software. Most of the coding is proprietary, and the software performs better than Windows in several key areas. It’s more secure, it crashes less, and it even looks sleeker. What’s not to love? Well, there is one problem that could be seen as the Achilles’ Heel of Mac systems: software availability.
Since Microsoft Windows systems are much more numerous and prevalent than Mac systems, more software is written for Windows computers. There just aren’t as many third-party applications written for Mac OSX. And if you’ve got a Mac computer, that means you could be missing out on the latest applications, security tools, and video games…unless you use virtualization technologies, of course.
It stinks when developers fail to port a great application over to the Mac world, but you can run virtual instances of code framework to virtualize a Windows system on your Mac.
Today we’re going to be looking at two of the most popular solutions: VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop.
Before we begin, however, I do have one disclaimer to make. I am a huge fan of VMWare, and have been using their virtualization software for years.
Main Differences Between VMware Fusion vs Parallels
The main differences between VMWare Fusion and Parallels are:
- VMware Fusion offers deeper customization and integration features, whereas Parallels is easier to set up out of the box
- Parallels is slightly faster in our speed tests compared to the slower VMware Fusion
- Parallels is better suited for casual users, whereas VMware Fusion is best suited for technical users
Having said that, I will be as objective as possible to remove any bias. With that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at these two cool virtualization solutions.
Parallel’s Pricing
Parallel’s pricing model is rather complex. The price you pay is determined by a variety of features including the following:
- Which version you want (Desktop 15 for Mac, Desktop 15 Pro for Mac, or Business Edition)
- Whether you want a new license or you want to upgrade an existing license
- Whether you want a 1-year subscription or a 1-time purchase
Though that may seem pretty contrived, I actually like how flexible it is for several reasons. First of all, you have a smattering of package options to choose from, so you can get exactly what you need without overpaying for extra features you don’t want. In addition, users who have an existing license don’t have to pay the entire cost of a new license when upgrading to a new plan.
The following outlines the pricing model for the Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac package:
1 Time Purchase
- 1 Computer, new license – $79.99
- 2 Computers, new license – $159.98
- 3 Computers, new license – $239.97
- 4 Computers, new license – $319.96
- 5 Computers, new license, 5 computers – $399.95
1 Year Subscription
- 1 Computer, new license, 1 computer – $69.99
- 2 Computers, new license, 2 computers – $139.98
- 3 Computers, new license, 3 computers – $209.97
- 4 Computers, new license, 4 computers – $279.96
- 5 Computers new license, 5 computers – $349.95
- Upgrade from 10 or 11, 12, etc – $49.99
The Pro and Business versions have similar pricing plans, though they are a bit more expensive. I would also like to draw your attention to the price difference between the one-time purchase and the one-year subscription.
Vmware Or Virtualbox Macos
You’re really only saving about $10 per computer when you opt for the one-year subscription as opposed to the one-time purchase. As such, I’m not sure I see a lot of value in the subscription option, especially if you’re only looking for a single license.
VMWare Fusion Pricing
Why not spend an extra $10 and own the software for life? VMWare Fusion uses an eerily similar pricing model based on mostly the same factors.
Vmware Vs Virtualbox For Mac Virtualbox
The largest difference is that VMWare doesn’t offer a subscription model, and instead only charges for licenses of their software. And I think they’re pretty price competitive, too. VMWare’s pricing model for VMWare Fusion is as follows:
1 Time Purchase
- 1 Computer, new license – $79.99
- 2 Computers, new license – $159.98
- 3 Computers, new license – $239.97
- 4 Computers, new license – $319.96
- 5 Computers, new license, 5 computers – $399.95
- Upgrade from 4.5 and higher – $49.99
As you can see, the price to purchase either provider’s virtualization software is exactly the same. I thought that was pretty odd since you usually see minute differences in two providers’ prices as a way to undercut the competition.
So, I’ll sum up the pricing war in two simple thoughts. First of all, don’t get the subscription version of Parallels Desktop since it doesn’t really save you that much money. Second of all, if you’re going to purchase the software, the cost is exactly the same. At least for now…
Parallels Desktop 15 Features
Parallels Desktop has a lot of great features, though its main purpose is to run applications as though they are running in their native environment.
For instance, you can run Windows apps on a Mac without needing to reboot your computer or dual boot. The latest version does have support for Windows 10 and Mac OS Sierra, so you’re covered with the latest and greatest operating systems.
Interestingly enough, Desktop 15 comes with 1 year of online backups, though the cap is at 500GB. Still, it’s better than nothing if you’re not already using a cloud backup service.
There are some limitations on the virtual machines, but I didn’t think they were really encumbering. Virtual machines are limited to 8GB of virtual RAM and 4 virtual CPUs for each VM.
Plus, it’s worth taking a moment to talk about virtual machine creation.
To create a virtual Windows instance, you’ll have to essentially “copy” a Windows license. If you don’t have one already, then you’ll need to obtain a new Windows OS (legally), and then create a virtual machine of that installation in Parallels Desktop. Alternatively, you can create a virtual machine instance from a current installation, which is what I would recommend if the option is available to you.
That way, all of your software, settings, user accounts, and system files will be exactly the same. Doing so will allow you to essentially import all of your data into a virtual machine instance running on your Mac. And by using cloud storage (Dropbox Storage, iCloud Drive, etc…), file syncing and folder syncing (smart sync feature), or a shared local volume (on the local hard drive disk, and shared NAS partition, etc.), you’ll easily be able to access data on both operating systems.
However, that’s really all there is to the basic version. The Pro and Business versions have a lot more features, but they cost a lot more money, too. If you’re just trying to run a few Windows applications on Mac, I’d recommend going for the basic version. Just so you know, advanced features in the Pro and Business versions include the following:
- Enhanced virtual hardware (64GB vRAM and 16 vCPUs)
- Support for Microsoft Visual Studio
- Advanced networking features
- Business cloud services support and premium 24/7 technical support
- Enhanced management interfaces for administrators in business environments
- Unified volume license key
Also, I’d like to mention that Parallels Desktop 15 doesn’t only provide Windows support. It also supports a variety of Linux distributions including CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian distributions.
It’s also worth noting that a lot of traditional Mac users think the Parallels interface is more Mac friendly than the Fusion interface, which is little more streamlined and minimalistic.
VMWare Fusion 11 Features
Likewise, VMWare Fusion 8.5 also has the ability run a smattering of Linux virtual machines in addition to versions of Windows.
And like Parallels Desktop 15, you can run Windows applications side by side applications running on Mac OSX. It is, of course, designed to support Windows 10 and OS Sierra.
However, instead of bundling cloud storage space in with Fusion, VMWare is currently offering a promotion that includes a McAfee Antivirus Plus 90-day subscription. I think that’s awesome, because Mac users need antivirus as much as Windows users these days, and a lot of people forgo any antivirus protection at all.
In addition, after you have registered your license, you get 18 months of free email support in English. However, it’s only email-based support, but I suppose it’s better than nothing.
And as far as support is concerned, there are plenty of how-to videos that show you how to make common configurations and perform a little bit of troubleshooting to get your software tweaked, personalized, and configured just how you want it.
Additionally, other notable features include the following:
- Support for Windows Server 2016
- Tabbed views
- Support for Siri
- 0 users don’t need to pay to upgrade to 11
- Many integrations, including Google Drive (Google Cloud), Dropbox for Business (via VMWare AirWatch
How Does VMWare Compare to Others?
Final Thoughts: VMWare Fusion vs Parallels
This comparison was very close since both VMWare and Parallels Desktop 15 are extremely similar. And since the pricing models are nearly identical, you can’t use cost as a way to justify one solution’s value over the other.
Vmware Fusion Vs Virtualbox
In the end, I think I have to go with VMWare Fusion over Parallels Desktop 15.
Believe it or not, Fusion is the more popular solution over Parallels. Despite Mac users’ affinity for the Parallels user interface, more people still opt for the VMWare solution. And many users feel that VMWare’s upgrade policy is less convoluted than Parallel’s (myself included), especially since 11 users don’t have to pay for an upgrade.
Lastly, as always, I highly advise you to take advantage of the free trial if you’re still undecided. VMWare has been a leader in the virtualization industry for years, and have a long history of providing stable and cutting-edge virtualization technologies with innovative features.
Vmware Vs Virtualbox Comparison
That said, if you’re a born and bred Mac user, you may prefer Parallels since it has a sleeker and more Mac-like interface.
Vmware Vs Virtualbox For Mac Os
Bottom Line: The objectively “better” solution is definitely the more transparently priced and larger VMWare Fusion solution here. However, if you are very attached to the Mac-like interface, Parallels can save you some frustration here, and is a good runner-up.
Further Reading: Bootcamp vs Parallels Compared and VMWare vs VirtualBox Compared.