Is there free VM software for Mac?

I've seen Parallels running Windows and it's pretty darn good.

But before I go and spend over $100 dollars, are there any free VM apps on the Mac that are up to speed?

alex

Posted 2010-01-15T00:32:53.653

Reputation: 3 604

Answers

VirtualBox is free and does a great job.

heavyd

Posted 2010-01-15T00:32:53.653

Reputation: 54 755

I 14th this. However, I think the VirtualBox sharing (host to guest) is problematic. I usually use Windows sharing on my OSX host. – Dan Rosenstark – 2010-01-29T10:53:22.863

For as much as everyone on the internet bashes on it, virtualbox is surprisingly well done, all in all. I had a couple of Virtual Box Machines (images) that I migrated onto my new XenServer an they ran flawlessly right out of the box. – hwshadow – 2013-09-18T01:47:28.353

I second this, I have had only minor problems with VirtualBox. – ta.speot.is – 2010-01-15T00:36:17.740

I third this, the only problem that I've had is windbg integration for kernel debugging windows device drivers. I do all my personal PC development on a mac w/VMware. VMware is cheap for students . . . about $40.00 US or so. – TheEruditeTroglodyte – 2010-01-15T04:56:35.740

VirualBox does have an OS X port for Intel Macs, an it is free! I use it on Linux, pretty solid. I don't think it is compatible with VMWare images, but I ~~could be~~ am wrong. It IS!

SysAdmin1138

Posted 2010-01-15T00:32:53.653

Reputation: 5 239

actually, it is compatible with VMWare images; see my answer :) – squircle – 2010-06-22T22:59:51.403