VirtualBox allows you to host virtual machines on your PC, and you can run multiple operating systems at once. This software emulates the given system in a separate window, and you can perform various actions on it as you usually would. VirtualBox supports a wide range of operating systems, from the most common ones like Windows or macOS to more alternative solutions.
You should download VirtualBox if you need to regularly perform tasks that include testing software, developing cross-platform tools, running legacy applications, or checking a different operating system without switching the machine or influencing your original environment.
Since it's a free and open-source tool offered by Oracle, there are no limits as to how you can use VirtualBox, and the community around it can contribute to its development and share its modifications with others. VirtualBox is a great alternative when compared with commercial and paid solutions, as it's as robust and flexible as the other tools.
Why should I download VirtualBox?
If you're someone who needs to switch operating systems often or requires an isolated environment to run software, VirtualBox will be a great help here. Developers, IT knowledge workers, students, or legacy game enthusiasts get to quickly set up another system on their machine and use it as if it were their primary system.
You can download VirtualBox and install it on different host platforms, and the software runs natively on Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Solaris. This wide range of supported systems is great because you don't need multiple machines to use the tool, and you get reliable and stable performance on all platforms. The number of guest operating systems, so those you can install using VirtualBox, is even larger and includes Windows from XP to 11, macOS (can only be run from another Mac machine), Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Debian, etc.), BDS and Solaris.
When you're done working on the virtual machine, you can create and save a snapshot of the system, which will capture its exact state at the given time. You can always restore this version and experiment freely with different settings without worrying or going through the whole configuration again. This is especially important in VirtualBox if you're working as a tester or developer.
You can move files between the host and the guest systems, copy and paste content between the two, and even launch a Seamless Mode where any software from the virtual machine will appear as if it's opened on your native system. For more advanced needs, you can also adjust various network tools and set up shared development spaces and servers or simulate different conditions and configurations.
With VirtualBox, you can create virtual drives, launch virtual machines in the background, and control them through command line tools or remote desktops. You can also apply different hardware virtualizations, emulate Intel or AMD-based systems, and configure virtual CPUs, RAM, GPU, and USBs, which are great for more technical users with advanced and complex needs and requirements.
Is VirtualBox free?
Yes, as open-source software, you can download VirtualBox for free both as a personal and business user and the tool is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). There's also an extension pack that adds more advanced features, but it's only paid if you're planning commercial use.
What operating systems are compatible with VirtualBox?
You can install VirtualBox on a broad spectrum of operating systems, so the software supports Windows (7, 8, 10, and 11 in 32-bit and 64-bit), macOS (10.13, and only those based on Intel), Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, etc.) and Solaris.
There are even more guest operating systems you can set up when you install VirtualBox on your machine. The best thing is that the performance of VirtualBox is consistent across all the host systems and offers the exact set of features, so you don't need to look for other solutions.
What are the alternatives to VirtualBox?
If you need a tool designed primarily to work on macOS computers, then VMware Fusion is a virtualization software for this purpose. You can use it to install Windows or Linux operating systems and choose between paid (Fusion Pro) and free (Fusion Player) options. With the paid license, you get more advanced features that include custom virtual networks, linked clones, and enhanced encryption. VMware Fusion is also one of the few solutions that support the newest Mac chips called Apple Silicon, which is especially useful if you have a machine like that. There are also ways in which you can blend Windows and macOS interfaces thanks to a feature called "Unity," which you can use to launch Windows software from your Mac dock. If you require it, you can enable 3D acceleration, but be mindful of the machine's resources as this is a demanding operation.
Another Mac-only solution is Parallels Desktop, which allows you to run Windows and Linux virtual machines alongside your macOS system. This software lets you seamlessly integrate the two systems, share files between them by drag and drop, and copy and paste things from the clipboard. It's another software with support for M1/M2 chips from Apple, but note that there's no free version, and you can choose between 3 paid tiers: Standard, Pro, or Business, depending on if you need to integrate with cloud environments, manage a team or perform nested virtualization.
VMware Workstation, on the other hand, is software for Windows and Linux computers that comes in both a paid and a free version. It has robust system snapshot features and management, comprehensive solutions for network settings, the ability to accelerate GPU for better graphics, or even more secure encryption options. You can also enjoy functionalities like multi-monitor setup, cloning of virtual machines, or command-line automation and remote management. VMware Workstation is the best solution if you need to reliably run high-performance virtualizations, access deep configuration options, or handle enterprise-level workloads with custom server options and extensive development setup.
