The latest version (5.1.6) was released September 12, 2016. VirtualBox is a free and open-source solution that works with all x86 platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris. VirtualBox is Oracle’s answer to host-based virtualization - a purchase they made from Sun Systems in 2010 to (hopefully) compete in the same market with VMware’s Workstation. And Gartner’s 2016 Magic Quadrant for x86 Server Virtualization listed VMware as the undisputed “leader.” Of course, there’s a difference between server and desktop virtualization, but it’s not a bad accolade to have. In fact, they were the first to virtualize the x86 architecture and make the technology available as a commercial product. It would be an understatement to call VMware the market leader. The latest release, VMware Workstation 12, came out in September of this year. You can use VMware to set up a private cloud, to manage mobile devices in your corporate network, to protect endpoints, and of course, to virtualize stuff.įor the purpose of this comparison, we’ll mostly be looking at VMware Workstation - their desktop virtualization tool for Windows and Linux - and VMware Fusion - their desktop virtualization tool for Mac. VMware isn’t a single product as much an ecosystem of connected tools and applications. It’s not quite an apples-to-oranges scenario, but it is like comparing apples from two different orchards. These two solutions, although both reliable, bear some distinct differences that make a lateral comparison complicated. VirtualBox, you’re looking for a tool that will help you create and provision virtual machines (VMs) on desktop devices running an x86-based platform. ĪLSO READ: Top Five Security-as-a-Service Providers It’s not surprising that roughly 80 percent of x86 server workloads are now virtualized, and the average server runs 16 simultaneous VMs. Transfer virtual machines between devices and servers.Run legacy programs that require an older OS on a machine with a newer OS.Set up and regulate encrypted corporate desktops for remote employees or employees using their own devices.Deploy and test your own software on multiple operating systems without needing multiple devices.Evaluate new apps and systems in a safe, partitioned environment.The ability to run multiple, simultaneous operating systems as VMs from a single device means you can:

In the modern IT environment, desktop virtualization can be extremely useful.

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