Are Virtual Machines Legal?

Virtual machines are completely legal to use. This type of software allows users to run a different operating system on their existing machines, such as running Linux on Windows or vice versa. Some VMs also include features to run multiple different types of operating systems, too.

How Does a Virtual Machine Work?

Virtual machines allow your computer to use a different operating system than the standard one built for it. This software opens a new operating system in a separate window, permitting you to run two operating systems at a time or to change the computer's system as a whole during its use. Some users prefer to run two systems simultaneously to use specific features from both.

Which Software Is Used for a Virtual Machine?

Virtual machines can be used with most popular types of software. For example, some virtual machines designed for Windows allow Windows users to run macOS or Linux. There are many different virtual machine softwares available from a variety of brands.

What Is the Most Popular VM Software?

VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion (both included on our list) are among the industry standards when it comes to VM software. Offering virtually the same experience, Workstation is compatible with Windows and most Linux distributions, and Fusion works only with Macs.

Best Virtual Machine Software Programs of 2023

Computer programs open on desktop — Lifewire / Desing by Amelia Manley

Virtual machine software emulates additional operating systems on a computer to run programs and deploy apps in other windows. With VM software, you can run a Windows instance on macOS or vice versa, as well as different operating system combinations, including Chrome OS, Linux, and Solaris. These programs offer users more features and performance capabilities than a single computer's operating system can deliver all at once.

Some virtual machine companies offer free versions of their software for personal use, while others include free trials, before committing to a purchase. Here, we've rounded up the best virtual machine software programs available to take the guesswork out of what system best suits your needs.

The computer's current operating system is commonly referred to as the host. The secondary operating system that runs in the VM interface is often called the guest.

Best Virtual Machine Software Programs of 2023

Best Overall: VMware Workstation
Best for Mac Users: VMware Fusion
Best Free Option: Oracle VM VirtualBox
Best for Running Windows and macOS: Parallels Desktop
Best for (Some) Windows 10 Users: Hyper-V Manager
Best for Linux Users: QEMU

Best Overall: VMware Workstation

Key Specs

Cost: Free (base version)
Platform: Windows and Linux
Free Trial: N/A

Why We Chose It

With almost 20 years on the market, VMware Workstation is considered the industry standard of virtual machine applications. Its robust set of functions covers many virtualization needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers an evaluation version
Easy to use once it is set up
Widely used and well-regarded
Free for personal use

Cons

Consumes a lot of computer resources
Not all programs work in the emulation
Default configuration may require changes

Overview

VMware Workstation software allows for virtual machine open standards, providing the ability to create and run VMs from competing vendors within the VMware product. It is compatible with the following host platforms: most 64-bit Linux distributions, Windows 10 and above (64-bit only), and Windows Server 2012 and above.

The software permits advanced 3D solutions by supporting DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1, and its advanced networking features let you set up and administer elaborate virtual networks. You can use VMware snapshots to set rollback points for testing. And its cloning system makes deploying multiple instances of a similar VM a breeze.

The package integrates seamlessly with vSphere, the VMware enterprise server virtualization product, resulting in the easy administration of all VMs in a company's data center remotely from the local machine.

There are two versions of the application: Workstation Player and Workstation Pro. Player (the home version) is free and allows you to create new VMs, supporting over 200 guest operating systems. It also allows for file sharing between the host and guest and supports 4K displays. Pro (the business version) takes things up a notch by allowing you to run more than one VM at a time and accessing abilities like cloning, snapshots, and complex networking.

Get VMware Workstation Pro

Best for Mac Users: VMware Fusion

Key Specs

Cost: Free (base version)
Platform: Mac
Free Trial: N/A

Why We Chose It

Created by the same people who created VMware Workstation for Linux and Windows, Fusion ports the same Workstation experience to the Mac platform.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Brings VMware emulation to macOS
Base version (Fusion Player) is free
Supports a range of macOS displays
Uses the same virtual machines as non-Mac VMware

Cons

Doesn't have some of the features that other products offer
Can be sluggish

Create a New Virtual Machine With VMware's Fusion

Overview

Similar to VMware Workstation, Fusion Player is free for personal use and works with macOS/OS X 10.13 systems and above. Fusion Pro can be purchased for business purposes or by individuals who require access to advanced features.

This software has some Mac-specific functionality, as well. It supports 5K iMac displays, as well as mixed retina and non-retina configurations. Fusion includes Unity Mode, which hides the Windows desktop interface and lets you launch Windows applications from the Dock as if the apps are regular apps on macOS.

The free and paid versions of Fusion can run Windows from a Boot Camp partition as a guest VM instance, eliminating the need for a reboot when you switch back and forth.

Get VMware Fusion

Best Free Option: Oracle VM VirtualBox

Key Specs

Cost: Free (base version)
Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris
Free Trial: N/A

Why We Chose It

Oracle's VM VirtualBox is available for home and business use at no charge. (However, the extensions pack—which includes USB support and other basic features—is only free for personal use.)

Pros & Cons

Pros

Base version is free
Offers an intuitive interfacing and operation system
Stable

Cons

Requires a hardware setup that has ample RAM
Some features require Guest Additions software

Overview

VirtualBox supports several guest operating systems, including all Windows versions ranging from XP to 10, Windows NT, and Windows Server 2003. It can run VMs with Linux 2.4 and above, Solaris, OpenSolaris, and OpenBSD. You also can turn back the clock and run OS/2 or DOS/Windows 3.1, whether for nostalgic purposes or to play your favorite games, like Wasteland or Pool of Radiance.

VirtualBox runs several guest windows simultaneously and provides a level of portability. A VM created on one host can be transferred to another host with a different operating system. It also runs on older hardware, recognizes most USB devices, and offers a library of Guest Additions that are free and easy to install. These added features include the ability to transfer files and clipboard contents between the host and guest operating systems, 3D virtualization, and video support.

Apple doesn't allow macOS to function on non-Apple hardware. You cannot legally run macOS in a virtual machine unless the host environment is macOS.

Oracle VM VirtualBox has an expanding developer community that publishes new releases regularly and an active user forum with almost 100,000 registered members. VirtualBox's track record assures it will continue to improve and serve as a long-term VM solution.

Get Oracle VirtualBox

Best for Running Windows and macOS: Parallels Desktop

Key Specs

Cost: $99.99 to $149.99 per year
Platform: macOS
Free Trial: Yes

Why We Chose It

Parallels is a long-time favorite of Mac enthusiasts who occasionally need to run Windows and Mac applications side by side.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Runs Windows, Chrome OS, Linux, and second instance of macOS
Offers three versions to suit different applications
Gives you the ability to monitor and adjust memory usage
MacBook Pro Touch Bar works in Windows

Cons

Requires considerable resource consumption
Adjustments aren't always intuitive
Users must upgrade subscriptions yearly

Optimize Parallels Desktop – Parallels Guest OS Optimization

Overview

Parallels can run both Windows and Mac applications at the same time on macOS/OS X 10.13 and above. This software optimizes system and hardware resources for a Windows experience that feels like an actual PC, yet on a Mac.

Parallels offers most of the features found in a paid VM product and many features specific to Mac, like opening websites in a Safari browser and displaying Windows alerts in the Mac Notification Center. Files and clipboard content can be dragged between the two operating systems. And a dedicated cloud storage space is included that can be shared across macOS and Windows.

A common misconception about Parallels is that it can only be used for Windows in a guest VM. It permits you to run Chrome OS, Linux, and another instance of macOS.

There are three versions of Parallels, each suited for a particular audience. The Standard edition works best for those switching from a PC to a Mac for the first time or using Windows applications on a regular basis. The Pro edition is best for software developers, testers, and other power users, as it integrates with Microsoft Visual Studio and well-known developer and QA tools. And the Business edition includes all of the above, along with centralized administration and management tools.

Get Parallels

Best for (Some) Windows 10 Users: Hyper-V Manager

Key Specs

Cost: Free
Platform: Windows
Free Trial: N/A

Why We Chose It

Hyper-V Manager is a full-featured, powerful hypervisor that works for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education, or Windows 8 (and 8.1) Pro or Enterprise.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free
Installed in supported versions of Windows 10
Robust performance with deep hooks into the host OS

Cons

Not available on Windows 10 Home
Other VM solutions can't run at the same time

Overview

Microsoft offers Hyper-V Manager professional, enterprise, and academic versions for Windows 10. As a built-in feature, it supports deep linking within the Windows 10 host operating system and a range of guest OS systems, including various versions of Windows, Linux, and older systems like MS-DOS.

Microsoft offers a free developer version of Windows 10 for Hyper-V Manager, fully licensed for use within the virtual environment.

Activate Hyper-V on Windows 10

Best for Linux Users: QEMU

Key Specs

Cost: Free
Platform: Linux
Free Trial: N/A

Why We Chose It

QEMU is the hypervisor of choice for Linux users, based on its zero-dollar price tag and easy-to-perfect, full-system emulation tools.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free
Functions as a VM host and machine emulator
Emulates a range of machines

Cons

Dated and confusing interface

Overview

QEMU's open-source emulator simulates a range of hardware peripherals using dynamic translation for ideal performance. It is compatible with most Linux distributions, macOS 11.7.4 (through the Homebrew package manager), and 32-and 64-bit Windows (newer versions no longer work with Windows XP).

Running KVM virtual machines when using QEMU as a virtualizer can result in nearly the same performance as the host system—given the right hardware—making you almost forget that you're using a VM.

Administrative privileges are only required in certain scenarios with QEMU, like when you need to access USB devices from within a guest VM. And this offering is a rare occurrence with VM software, adding some flexibility to the ways you can use this specific hypervisor.

Custom builds of QEMU are available for macOS and Windows. However, the majority of its user base tends to have Linux computers as the host.

Visit QEMU

Final Verdict

VMware Workstation is our best overall choice for virtual machine software programs. This software is considered the industry standard and boasts robust features, like cloning systems, deploying multiple VMs at once, and administering elaborate networks. The company offers a free home version with basic features, as well as a paid business version that allows users to manage encrypted virtual machines across a network.

Compare the Best Virtual Machine Software Programs

Company	Cost	Platform	Free Trial
Best Overall VMware Workstation	Free (base version)	Windows and Linux	N/A
Best for Mac Users VMware Fusion	Free (base version)	Mac	N/A
Best Free Option Oracle VM VirtualBox	Free (base version)	Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris	N/A
Best for Running Windows and macOS Parallels Desktop	$99.99 to $149.99 per year	macOS	Yes
Best for (Some) Windows 10 Users Hyper-V Manager	Free	Windows	N/A
Best for Linux Users QEMU	Free	Linux	N/A

FAQ

Are Virtual Machines Legal?

Virtual machines are completely legal to use. This type of software allows users to run a different operating system on their existing machines, such as running Linux on Windows or vice versa. Some VMs also include features to run multiple different types of operating systems, too.
How Does a Virtual Machine Work?

Virtual machines allow your computer to use a different operating system than the standard one built for it. This software opens a new operating system in a separate window, permitting you to run two operating systems at a time or to change the computer's system as a whole during its use. Some users prefer to run two systems simultaneously to use specific features from both.
Which Software Is Used for a Virtual Machine?

Virtual machines can be used with most popular types of software. For example, some virtual machines designed for Windows allow Windows users to run macOS or Linux. There are many different virtual machine softwares available from a variety of brands.
What Is the Most Popular VM Software?

VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion (both included on our list) are among the industry standards when it comes to VM software. Offering virtually the same experience, Workstation is compatible with Windows and most Linux distributions, and Fusion works only with Macs.

Methodology

To determine the best virtual machine software programs, we compared top options based on their price, software compatibility, and features. We considered the performance of each interface and user-friendly aspects. Hardware setup and resource consumption were considered heavily, and we included only those offering the most efficient software.