Kitchens Sync

Virtualization Shootout: VirtualBox 2 vs. VMWare Fusion 2

- 2008.11.25 - Tip Jar

Popularity:

In my previous column, I reviewed the two major commercial virtualization products for the Mac, VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop. After declaring Fusion the winner, I promised to bring a comparison between it and Sun's VirtualBox.

In this case, I could not declare a definite winner. Although both are virtualization solutions, each product is targeted towards entirely different computing segments.

Different Aims, Different Talents

For the purposes of this review, I found most direct comparisons completely pointless. VMware Fusion touts several very friendly consumer features - among them are automatic printer interfacing, a free one-year subscription to McAfee VirusScan Plus, and 3D graphics acceleration. Since these are qualities that appeal to the average consumer, this product is popular in that sector.

VirtualBox lacks all the above features, but it offers many features that are quite useful to another important sphere: server virtualization and other IT uses. Among these unique advantages are finely grained virtual hardware control, complete command line management of machines, headless remote desktop display modes, and easy virtual machine portability to Linux and Windows versions of the software.

This program excels in server roles: The virtual machines are designed to easily run hidden in the background of a remotely managed server while still allowing direct interface access through remote desktop protocols. In fact, the whole setup process can be remotely managed with no need to ever touch the target server.

I could easily see VirtualBox becoming a leading solution for server virtualization in the Mac world. However, due to the easy portability of the virtual machines, I doubt we will ever see it support Mac OS X Server itself: The license restrictions only allow Server to be virtualized on Apple hardware.

Win-Win Situation

Even though the two products are good at different things, they are both still fairly general purpose. Fusion can work in a server environment, and VirtualBox has enough user-friendliness to serve passably in a basic consumer environment. If you can afford the extra features of VMware Fusion and it's appropriate for your intended uses, go ahead and buy it, but if VirtualBox serves your needs, I highly recommend it.

After all, the price can't be beat. Plus, it's open-source, which appeals to me greatly.

Purchase Links

VMware Fusion 2, currently $62.99 shipped from Amazon.com

Join us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

If you find Kevin's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: Mac IIfx, introduced 1990.03.19. This 'wicked fast' 40 MHz Mac trumped the 33 MHz DOS world.
February 14 in LEM history: 98: A perfect compact Mac - 00: Extended computer warranties worth the cost? - Making your PC work with your Mac - 01: Customize Microsoft Word - 02: Quadra revives a passion for computing - 03: Real world performance - DIY Pismo screen replacement - Best Mac for writing - 03: Fastest browser on the Mac - 06: 15" MacBook Pro - Impressions of a newly acquired Lisa - Finding and using free WiFi - Apple should liberate OS 9 - 07: New Mac mini cheaper than upgrading a Power Mac - 08: Falling in love with OS X
Support Low End Mac

Recent Deals

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.