VirtualBox vs Parallels Desktop : Which is Better?

VirtualBox icon

VirtualBox

VirtulaBox is an open source software to run virtual systems on top of a physical system. Virtual systems are normally used for providing separate environment for each client sharing a single physical system. Developed by Oracle

License: Open Source

Categories: Network & Admin

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux BSD Solaris

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Parallels Desktop icon

Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop for Mac, by Parallels, is software providing hardware virtualization for Macintosh computers with Intel processors. Developed by Parallels IP Holdings GmbH

License: Commercial

Apps available for Mac OS X

VirtualBox VS Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop offers a more polished user experience and better performance, especially on macOS, while VirtualBox is a free, open-source alternative that provides basic virtualization features but lacks some advanced capabilities. Users may prefer Parallels for intensive tasks and seamless integration, whereas VirtualBox is suitable for budget-conscious users needing basic virtualization.

VirtualBox

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Wide community support
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Good for basic virtualization tasks
  • Lightweight and less resource-intensive

Cons:

  • Less user-friendly interface
  • Performance can lag compared to Parallels
  • Limited support for 3D graphics

Parallels Desktop

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Better performance with macOS
  • Seamless integration with macOS
  • Supports DirectX and OpenGL
  • Regular updates and feature enhancements

Cons:

  • Paid software
  • Limited customization for advanced users
  • Best performance on macOS only

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