What is the Difference Between VirtualBox and VMware and Parallels?

VirtualBox, VMware, and Parallels are all virtualization software that allows users to run multiple operating systems on the same computer. However, they have different features, target different markets, and cater to different needs. Here are the main differences between them:

VirtualBox:

• Developed by Oracle, it is an open-source and free virtualization software.
• Offers a high level of customization, allowing users to dictate hardware resources for the virtualized machine.
• Suitable for simple home use or occasional business use on Mac.
• Can be less efficient compared to similar software or the real machine.
• Can be affected by the host machine's weaknesses.

VMware:

• Offers multiple products for running virtual machines in different scenarios.
• Popular for its advanced features and performance.
• Not explicitly mentioned in the search results, but it is known for being more powerful and feature-rich compared to VirtualBox.

Parallels:

• Known for its seamless integration with macOS.
• User-friendly, with better performance and features compared to VirtualBox.
• Requires a subscription or a perpetual license, making it a paid software.
• Offers better file transfer capabilities, faster PC booting, and less battery consumption compared to VirtualBox.
• More specialized tool, often used to run Windows as a guest operating system on macOS devices.

In summary, the choice between VirtualBox, VMware, and Parallels depends on your specific needs and preferences. VirtualBox is favored for its open-source nature and cost-effectiveness, while VMware is popular for its advanced features and performance. Parallels, on the other hand, is known for its seamless integration with macOS and user-friendly experience, but it is a paid software.

Comparative Table: VirtualBox vs VMware vs Parallels

Here is a table comparing the differences between VirtualBox, VMware, and Parallels:

VirtualBox is an Oracle hypervisor that provides virtualization for both hardware and software and supports a wide range of host operating systems. VMware, on the other hand, offers multiple products for running virtual machines in different scenarios and provides hardware virtualization only. Parallels Desktop is a popular virtualization solution for macOS, supporting HDD virtual disk images of Parallels Desktop format.

Both VirtualBox and VMware Workstation support snapshot and linked clone features, which allow users to create multiple linked clones based on a parent virtual machine. However, this feature is not mentioned for Parallels Desktop.

VirtualBox is suitable for home use, software testing, and enterprise use, while VMware has various products tailored for different enterprise use cases.