Buzz
If you want to run Windows on macOS, you have three primary choices: VirtualBox, VMware Fusion, and Parallels. Each offers distinct advantages and disadvantages, with specific scenarios where one outshines the others. Let's explore the best use cases for each option.
The Options at a Glance
Virtual machines enable you to run operating systems like Windows within macOS, seamlessly alongside your usual Mac environment. Once your virtual machine is set up, you can install the desired operating system and use it directly from your Mac, without needing to restart. Here are three top choices for achieving this:
VirtualBox (Free): VirtualBox stands out as the most customizable choice of the three. Packed with features for fine-tuning your virtual machine, it lacks the sophisticated integration tools of Parallels and VMware. Essentially, it’s designed to create a virtual machine for running Windows, and that’s its core function.
VMware Fusion ($79.99 for unlimited Macs): VMware Fusion strikes a balance between Parallels and VirtualBox, offering a wealth of customization options while still providing a user-friendly setup process for beginners.
Parallels ($79.99 for one Mac): Parallels and VMware Fusion are very similar, but Parallels takes a more hands-on approach in guiding you through the installation process. It is aimed at home users who want an effortless way to run Windows on their Mac without needing to reboot or purchase an additional computer.
It’s important to also mention Boot Camp, which runs Windows on a separate partition of your Mac’s hard drive. Unlike virtual machines, Boot Camp requires you to reboot your computer, so you can’t use both operating systems simultaneously. While this is less convenient, it allows your Windows installation to take full advantage of your Mac’s hardware, providing superior performance. Although we won’t be including it in today’s comparison, which focuses on virtualization options, it’s a viable choice for running Windows on a Mac.
Now, let’s dive into the specifics of each option.
Setup Simplicity
Virtual machines aren’t like regular apps. The setup process goes beyond just installing software, so the ease with which you can set them up is an important factor.
Let’s begin with VirtualBox, as it’s the most manual of the options. The process starts with creating a virtual machine and choosing the operating system you intend to use (Windows, Linux, etc.). Afterward, you’ll need to adjust various system settings, including allocating processor cores, memory, and video memory from what’s available in your system. Fortunately, we offer a guide to help you navigate the entire setup. Once everything is configured, the next step is to install the operating system as you would on any computer, requiring an installation disc, USB drive, or ISO file.
Both VMware and Parallels feature setup wizards that offer more guidance throughout the process. In addition to installing a virtual machine, both let you import a Boot Camp partition, if you have one, or transfer data from an old Windows PC to your Mac. Parallels (shown above) provides even more detailed guidance during installation, and offers the option to automatically optimize the setup for either productivity or gaming. Of course, you can always bypass this step and install Windows from scratch if that’s your preference.
All three options are fairly straightforward, though Parallels stands out slightly for beginners as it offers more hand-holding throughout the setup. In terms of ease of use, Parallels consistently outperformed the other two in our testing. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer not to deal with intricate settings.
Additional Features That Make a Real Difference
Although these three programs essentially perform the same task, there are several small features that set them apart from each other.
All three apps include a version of windowed mode support (as shown above). This allows you to run a single Windows application in its own window on your Mac desktop, making it feel more like a native Mac app. VMware refers to this feature as Unity, Parallels calls it Coherence, and VirtualBox uses the term Seamless Mode. When in windowed mode, you can copy and paste between Windows and Mac apps, resize or move them, and close an app without shutting down Windows completely.
Both Parallels and VMware allow you to launch individual Windows applications directly from the Mac Dock, streamlining the process significantly. VirtualBox lacks this feature and instead requires you to open the entire virtual machine and then select the app you want to use.
The similarities don’t end there. If you’re using Windows 10, both Parallels and VMware give you access to Cortana for voice commands, even if Windows is not the active window. They also support DirectX 10, allowing most games to run, though performance may vary (we’ll explore this further in the next section). In contrast, VirtualBox doesn’t offer such features, as it’s focused solely on running Windows as a whole.
The differences between Parallels and VMware are mostly subtle. For instance, Parallels supports OS X’s Quick Look feature for Windows, while VMware does not. On the other hand, if you have a new iMac, VMware supports 5K displays natively. Most of these distinctions are minor, and honestly, if you removed the branding, it would be hard to tell the difference between the two.
For a detailed comparison of every feature in VMware Fusion and Parallels, Wikipedia offers a useful chart that’s worth checking out, though it might not be completely up-to-date.
Performance and Benchmark Results
Since virtual machines share system resources with the host OS, performance is crucial. Fortunately, TekRevue has benchmarked all three programs across various tasks. The latest version of VMware outperforms the others in almost every category, while VirtualBox lags far behind. However, there's more to the story than just these numbers.
In 18 different tests, VMware claimed top honors in 11, especially in the graphics benchmarks. The performance differences were generally close, with Parallels excelling in CPU-related tasks and VMware leading in graphics performance.
The pattern of CPU performance versus graphics performance emerges throughout the tests. Parallels typically boots faster than VMware, transfers files quicker, and conserves battery life better. On the other hand, VMware performs significantly better in 3D graphics and gaming, particularly with OpenGL. VirtualBox consistently trails in both CPU and 3D performance.
The Verdict: VirtualBox for a Basic, Free Experience. VMware or Parallels for an Easy-to-Use, Well-Integrated Solution
If you only need Windows to run an old app that doesn’t require intensive 3D rendering or complex processing, VirtualBox is your go-to. For anything more demanding, the paid options—VMware and Parallels—are quite similar, with the main differences being price and the number of Macs you can install on. If 3D performance or running Windows on multiple Macs is important to you, choose VMware. If productivity software and battery life are your priorities and you only need one Mac, then Parallels is the better choice.
These changes occur annually. Both Parallels and VMware require you to purchase a yearly license to access updates, which include performance enhancements and feature additions. While these updates are beneficial in principle, they aren't inexpensive and arrive reliably every year. This recurring cost can become tiresome, especially when they prevent access to newer Windows versions unless you opt for the paid upgrades. Generally, the updates are incremental, so unless a major new version of Windows is released, skipping one or two updates is usually fine.
The positive aspect here is that VirtualBox is completely free, and even VMware Fusion and Parallels offer trial periods for you to test them out. We highly recommend giving them a try before committing financially. You don't have to test all three, but if your requirements are basic, it’s best to start with VirtualBox before moving on to VMware or Parallels.
