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Key Takeaways

  • VirtualBox offers more features for free, including VM snapshots and advanced networking options.
  • VMware has better performance and stability, making it suitable for larger-scale projects and multiple VMs.
  • VMware has a simpler user interface for beginners, while VirtualBox provides more information at a glance for experienced users.

Virtual Machines (VMs) can be confusing if you've never used one before. However, thanks to excellent free virtualization programs like VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player, VMs have become far more popular and accessible.

VirtualBox is an open-source hypervisor from Oracle, while VMware's Workstation Player is a part of the VMware virtualization software suite. While both programs are free to use, their origins mean there are several differences among them—so which one is the best, and what should you use?

Feature Comparison

While both VMware Workstation Player and VirtualBox are quite feature-rich, for a free, open-source program, VirtualBox pulls ahead in out-of-the-box functionality.

VirtualBox Shared Folders

Both programs share a lot of features. However, some features like virtual machine snapshots and advanced networking options are locked behind a paywall in VMware Workstation Player, whereas VirtualBox offers them free. Snapshots are especially helpful as they allow you to save your VM's current state and restore it in the future in case you break something—which is incredibly useful if you're experimenting.

Importing and exporting VMs works a tad better on VirtualBox. Although you can do the same on VMware Workstation Player, it doesn't work with as many file formats, meaning your options are limited. However, the pace at which VMware Workstation Player is updated might soon change.

VMware VirtualBox VHD creation options

Speaking of which, VirtualBox also supports multiple virtual disk formats such as VDI, VMDK, VHD, and HDD, while VMware only works with VMDK. You might be able to get away with several additional formats, but if you're working with VMware, using VMDK is recommended.

VMware makes up for this by offering more control over your VM's allotted hardware, especially regarding 3D graphics. You can assign more video memory, use 3D acceleration, Unity, and more when using VMware. VirtualBox's default controls aren't as granular, but with enough tweaking, you can push past them (and we should note that VirtualBox includes a 3D acceleration option).

Both programs allow you to encrypt your VMs, meaning no one can access the VM or change its settings without the proper credentials. Features like shared folders, shared clipboards, and drag-and-drop file exchanges between the VM and host OS are also present in both programs.

It's a close call between the two programs regarding the feature list, but VirtualBox takes the win here. All of VirtualBox's features are available in the free version, while VMware Workstation Player requires a Workstation Pro license for additional features.

Extensions and Added Functionality

Both VMware Workstation Player and VirtualBox have added extension packs called VMware Tools and VirtualBox Guest Additions, respectively. These extension packs add quality-of-life improvements and features such as better resolution support, shared clipboard, and file transfers between the guest and host OSes.

VirtualBox Guest Additions Setup

While most of VMware's functionality is already present in the hypervisor, VMware Tools make a difference. They're also easy to install and, in most cases, work immediately. On the other hand, while VirtualBox's Guest Additions are just as easy to install, sometimes they don't work.

I've had issues when installing Guest Additions seemingly had no effect on the VM, with resolution options and shared clipboard features still not working despite showing up in the VirtualBox settings menus. The solutions for this can range from a simple reboot to editing VM configuration files. However, once they're working properly, the issues end.

Performance Differences

Both programs are largely identical to each other. For general virtual machines running for personal use or for small to medium-scale projects, you can choose either without having to worry about performance. That said, as you scale up, VMware is more stable than VirtualBox.

When running a single VM, you won't notice significant performance differences between the two programs (as a core part of virtual machine performance is the hardware you're running it on). OS boot times are about the same as what you'd expect if you were running the guest OSes natively (tested with Ubuntu 20.04). If you're nitpicking, you'll find that VMware loads a VM faster.

VMware Player running two VMs simultaneosly.

I use an Ubuntu VM with VirtualBox for web development, which often means multiple browser tabs, Visual Studio Code, and several terminal windows running simultaneously alongside Photoshop and similar programs on my Windows host OS. Everything runs without a hiccup.

Where VMware Workstation Player pulls ahead is in OS responsiveness. Generally speaking, you'll find your VMs will feel snappier when using Workstation Player. This change in performance, however, varies based on the host machine's hardware specifications.

If you run a virtual machine, you should do it on a powerful computer because virtualization is slow. The problem becomes more apparent when running multiple VMs simultaneously (a feature both hypervisors offer).

Generally, this isn't a problem for either VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player, and both programs run fine on a PC with enough hardware to keep up with the workload. But if your PC is a little behind the curve, VMware Workstation Player might end up performing better.

Now, if you're running into virtual machine performance issues, check out our tips for faster virtual machine performance. If outright performance is all you're chasing, VMware Workstation Player takes the win here.

User Interface and Ease of Use

Both VMware Workstation Player and VirtualBox have a simple, easy-to-understand user interface, but if you're a complete beginner, VirtualBox's user interface can be a little confusing. Conversely, VMware has a rather simple user interface with properly labeled options on the home screen and shows helpful tooltips throughout the program.

Setting up a new VM is also pretty easy in both programs. VirtualBox's setup wizard has an "Expert Mode" option that gives users more control, while VMware just includes them in the setup process.

vmware-virtualbox-ui-comparison

VirtualBox also offers an unattended install option where you can just set up credentials and machine specifications in advance and let the hypervisor take care of the rest. VMware offers an equivalent in its "Easy Install" feature, but I found VirtualBox's implementation simpler to use.

If you're a complete beginner to virtualization, you'll find VMware easier to use. However, for everyone else, VirtualBox's interface does provide more information and quicker navigation/control at a glance.

OS Compatibility and Reliability

In terms of host OSes, you can run VirtualBox on Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris, and FreeBSD. As far as VMware Workstation Player is concerned, your only options are Windows and Linux.

For macOS, you'll have to use VMware Fusion, which you can get a free license for personal use and is one of the best macOS virtual machine options.

Since we're only focusing on the best VM program for Windows, this disparity can largely be ignored. That said, VirtualBox is more versatile regarding what OSes you can run the virtualization program on.

macos monterey virtualbox virtual machine about this mac

Regarding what OSes you can run in VMs, both programs are identical, except for macOS. While you can make a macOS VM with VirtualBox, VMware Workstation doesn't support the OS.

Even VMware Workstation Pro, the paid version of VMware's Windows virtualization program, doesn't support macOS by default and requires installing additional software. So, if OS versatility is important to you, VirtualBox should be your top pick.

As far as reliability is concerned, VMware is ahead of VirtualBox. I use both programs daily, and VirtualBox can run into random bugs and glitches from time to time. Although a simple Google search and some minutes of tinkering will usually solve the problem, I've yet to have any such issues with VMware.

Price

While VirtualBox and VMware are both free, there's a catch.

The core engine that drives VirtualBox is licensed under GPL Version 3 and open source in the truest sense, but the Extension Pack is under Oracle's proprietary license and is only free for personal use, educational use, or evaluation purposes.

VMware Workstation Player is the free version of VMware Workstation Pro, meant for students, non-profit organizations, and personal or home use. The catch is that you have to sign up for the occasional VMware promotional email. Commercial use requires a Workstation Pro license.

VirtualBox vs VMware: Which One Should You Pick?

Here's a table summarizing everything mentioned above.

VMware Workstation Pro

Oracle VirtualBox

Performance

VMs feel snappy with faster loading times.

VMs can feel laggy based on the host PC's hardware specs.

Features

Some features, such as advanced networking and snapshots, require a Workstation Pro license.

All features are available in the free version.

Extra Functionality

Requires VMware Tools installation.

Requires VirtualBox Guest Addition Installation. Extra features may not work right away.

UI & Ease of Use

Easier UI for novices. Offers Easy Install feature for installing VM OSes.

UI provides more information about VMs at a glance. The Unattended Install feature makes VM OS installation easier.

Reliability

Quite stable with a relatively low number of issues.

Can run into random bugs and glitches from time to time.

Price

Free for students, non-profit organizations, and personal or home use.

Free for personal, educational, and commercial use.

The decision between VMware Workstation Pro and VirtualBox will largely come down to what you intend to do with your VMs.

If you're looking to experiment and eventually break things, VirtualBox is the way to go. However, if you're chasing sheer performance and reliability on your VM, VMware Workstation Player is your best bet.