It permits advanced 3D solutions by supporting DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1, eliminating image and video degradation within the VMs even when using graphics-intensive applications. The software allows for virtual machine open standards, providing the ability to create and run VMs from competing vendors within the VMware product. Its advanced networking features let you set up and administer elaborate virtual networks for VMs. Its complete data center topologies can be designed and implemented when VMware is integrated with external tools — essentially emulating an entire enterprise DC. You can use VMware snapshots to set rollback points for testing. Its cloning system makes deploying multiple instances of a similar VM a breeze. With multiple VMs, you can choose between fully isolated duplicates or linked clones that rely partially on the original to save hard drive space. There are two versions of the application: Workstation Player and Workstation Pro. Player is free to use. It allows you to create new VMs and supports over 200 guest operating systems. It also allows for file sharing between the host and guest, features the graphical advantages mentioned above, and supports 4K displays. The free version falls short on VMware’s advanced functionality, such as running more than one VM at a time and accessing abilities like cloning, snapshots, and complex networking. Workstation Player is restricted from commercial use. Businesses looking to utilize the Workstation software must purchase one or more Pro licenses to use the application beyond the trial period. For these features, and to create and manage encrypted virtual machines, purchase VMware Workstation Pro. The Pro version includes Unity Mode for Mac users, which hides the Windows interface, and lets you use the Dock to launch Windows applications. VMware Station is compatible with the following host platforms:
Most 64-bit Linux distributions.Windows 7 and above (64-bit only).Windows Server 2008 R2 and above.
Similar to VMware Workstation, Fusion Player is free for personal use. Fusion Pro can be purchased for business purposes or individuals who require access to the advanced feature sets. It does have some Mac-specific functionality, such as support for 5K iMac displays, mixed retina, and non-retina configurations. Fusion includes Unity Mode, which hides the Windows desktop interface and lets you launch Windows applications from the Dock as if the apps are regular apps to macOS. The free and paid versions of Fusion can run Windows from a Boot Camp partition as a guest VM instance, eliminating the need for a reboot when you switch back and forth. VMware Fusion is compatible with the following host platforms:
macOS/OS X 10.13 and above.
VirtualBox supports several guest operating systems, including all Windows versions ranging from XP to 10, Windows NT, and Windows Server 2003. It can run VMs with Linux 2.4 and above, Solaris, OpenSolaris, and OpenBSD. You also can turn back the clock and run OS/2 or DOS/Windows 3.1, whether for nostalgic purposes or to play old favorites like Wasteland or Pool of Radiance in the games’ natural environments. You can also run macOS in a VM using VirtualBox. However, this feature only works if the host operating system is also on a Mac. VirtualBox runs several guest windows simultaneously and provides a level of portability. A VM created on one host can be transferred to another host with a different operating system. It runs on older hardware, recognizes most USB devices, and offers a library of Guest Additions that are free and easy to install. These added features include the ability to transfer files and clipboard contents between the host and guest operating systems, 3D virtualization, and video support to alleviate common problems with visuals on a VM. The product’s website provides several tutorials and a set of canned virtual machines that are custom-made to meet specific development needs. Oracle VM VirtualBox has an expanding developer community that publishes new releases regularly and an active user forum with almost 100,000 registered members. VirtualBox’s track record assures it will continue to improve and serve as a long-term VM solution. VirtualBox is compatible with the following host platforms:
Most Linux distributions.macOS/OS X 10.13 and above.Solaris 11 and above.Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Server 2012, Server 2012 R2, Server 2016, and 2019.
Based on your primary use for Windows, Parallels optimizes system and hardware resources for a Windows experience that feels like an actual PC. Parallels offers most of the features found in a paid VM product and many features specific to the Mac, such as opening websites in IE or Edge from a Safari browser and Windows alerts displaying in the Mac Notification Center. Files can be dragged between the two operating systems, as well as clipboard content. A dedicated cloud storage space is included with Parallels, and it can be shared across macOS and Windows. There are three versions of Parallels available, each suited for a particular audience. Use the standard edition if you are switching from a PC to a Mac for the first time or use Windows applications on a regular basis. It contains the basic toolset along with 8 GB of VRAM and 4 vCPUs for each guest VM. It costs a one-time fee of $79.99. The Pro Edition, aimed at software developers, testers, and other power users, integrates with Microsoft Visual Studio and well-known developer and QA tools such as Jenkins. It has round-the-clock email and phone support, advanced networking tools, and the ability to utilize business cloud services. It has 128 GB of vRAM and 32 vCPUs for every VM. Parallels Desktop Pro Edition is available for $99.99 per year. The Business Edition includes all of the above, along with centralized administration and management tools. It also has a volume license key that allows you to roll out and control Parallels instances across departments and organizations. Parallels Desktop Business Edition costs $99.99 a year. Parallels is compatible with the following host platforms:
macOS/OS X 10.13 and above.
If you run Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education, or Windows 8 (and 8.1) Pro or Enterprise, check out this full-featured, powerful hypervisor. Running KVM virtual machines when using QEMU as a virtualizer can result in near-parity performance on the right hardware, making you almost forget that you’re using a VM. Administrative privileges are only required in certain scenarios with QEMU, such as when you need to access USB devices from within a guest VM. This is rare with this type of software, adding some flexibility to the ways you can use it. QEMU is compatible with the following host platforms:
Most Linux distributions.macOS 10.5 or above (10.7 recommended) through the Homebrew package manager.32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows (newer versions no longer work with Windows XP).
