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# VMware Fusion vs VirtualBox Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Pricing

**VMware Fusion**

**$79.99** · Configure VMware Fusion 8

**VirtualBox**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**VMware Fusion**
$$$$$

**VirtualBox**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**VMware Fusion**
Not enough reviews yet

**VirtualBox**
14%

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
See it for free

Time to Implement

**VMware Fusion** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**VirtualBox** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**VMware Fusion** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**VirtualBox** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**VMware Fusion**

Deployment (1)

Ease of Use (1)

Difficult Navigation (1)

**VirtualBox**

Virtualization Management (4)

Ease of Use (3)

Performance Issues (3)

Communication Clarity (1)

Integrations

**VMware Fusion**
Not enough data

**VirtualBox**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_13aba37ae908d9cf29a2452925257ccc/windows-11.jpeg "Product Avatar Image")

Windows 11

](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/integrations)

Screenshots

**VMware Fusion**
 ![VMware Fusion screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/35606/VMwareFusion_screenshot1.jpg)

**VirtualBox**
 ![VirtualBox screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/35959/uploads_2F746a3f65-f028-4864-82a4-d059b7d8f09b_2FOpenSuse13.2_on_Windows_7.png)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**VMware Fusion**

**9.1** /10

Based on 113 responses

**VirtualBox**

**9.1** /10

Based on 257 responses

Ease of Use

**VMware Fusion**

**8.9** /10

Based on 112 responses

**VirtualBox**

**9.0** /10

Based on 262 responses

Ease of Setup

**VMware Fusion**

**8.3** /10

Based on 23 responses

**VirtualBox**

**9.0** /10

Based on 82 responses

Ease of Admin

**VMware Fusion**

**8.3** /10

Based on 20 responses

**VirtualBox**

**8.4** /10

Based on 69 responses

Quality of Support

**VMware Fusion**

**8.6** /10

Based on 72 responses

**VirtualBox**

**8.0** /10

Based on 190 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**VMware Fusion**

**8.6** /10

Based on 19 responses

**VirtualBox**

**8.3** /10

Based on 52 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**VMware Fusion**

**7.7** /10

Based on 113 responses

**VirtualBox**

**8.7** /10

Based on 252 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Server Virtualization

**8.3** /10

Based on 7 responses

**8.3** /10

Based on 16 responses

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Not enough data

**8.3** /10

Based on 43 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
27.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
24.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
47.5%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
27.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
24.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
47.5%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
43.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
34.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
21.6%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
43.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
34.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
21.6%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![VMware Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_24dbd00b63cdabc3dc67fd49f5409c68/vmware-fusion.png "VMware Fusion")](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-fusion/reviews)
VMware Fusion

Computer Networking
24.2%

Information Technology and Services
17.5%

Computer Software
8.3%

Computer & Network Security
5.8%

Internet
5.0%

Other
39.2%

[![VirtualBox](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/0e9e8c0391aec772a9e9dcc84c23bda1/virtualbox.png "VirtualBox")](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews)
VirtualBox

Information Technology and Services
23.7%

Computer Software
22.0%

Computer & Network Security
7.2%

Telecommunications
4.8%

Internet
4.5%

Other
37.8%

Alternatives

**VMware Fusion Alternatives**

 ![Red Hat OpenShift](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_2ec0fb3d6001279948ececb9e055314c/red-hat-red-hat-openshift.jpg "Red Hat OpenShift")

[
Red Hat OpenShift
](/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews)

 ![Azure Virtual Machines](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-virtual-machines.jpg "Azure Virtual Machines")

[
Azure Virtual Machines
](/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews)

 ![Google Compute Engine](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_aeae116c52945fdecd7ed16d621cb315/google-compute-engine.png "Google Compute Engine")

[
Google Compute Engine
](/products/google-compute-engine/reviews)

 ![Ubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b0cb18835a92aa4bb723c4d488c6400/ubuntu.svg "Ubuntu")

[
Ubuntu
](/products/ubuntu/reviews)

**VirtualBox Alternatives**

 ![VMware vSphere](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/62d35cb2345645716e2f1cf7c8fc97fb/vmware-vsphere.svg "VMware vSphere")

[
VMware vSphere
](/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews)

 ![Citrix DaaS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/075eaba93f871090141f8205a8624ea0/citrix-citrix-daas.svg "Citrix DaaS")

[
Citrix DaaS
](/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews)

 ![VMware Workstation Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_98e610de8df93165a368af1a1b131d4b/vmware-workstation-pro.png "VMware Workstation Pro")

[
Workstation Pro
](/products/vmware-workstation-pro/reviews)

 ![Amazon WorkSpaces](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476468/amazon-workspaces.svg "Amazon WorkSpaces")

[
Amazon WorkSpaces
](/products/amazon-workspaces/reviews)

## Fusion vs VirtualBox FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Fusion vs VirtualBox?

VirtualBox stands out for its higher Ease of Setup and Quality of Support scores, while Fusion is favored for its hardware support and deployment on Mac.

| [Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-fusion/reviews) | [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.4/5 (126 reviews) | 4.5/5 (294 reviews) |
| Enterprise | Small-Business |
| 8.3 | 9.0 |
| 8.6 | 7.9 |
| Hardware Support | Virtualization Management |

### How do the pricing models of Fusion and VirtualBox compare?

VirtualBox is considered the stronger value due to its higher satisfaction on price and cost dimensions.

- **Fusion:** Reviewers note Fusion is affordable and offers a free version for non-commercial use, but some mention the licensing cost as relatively high for commercial users.
- **VirtualBox:** Reviewers consistently highlight that VirtualBox is completely free and open source, making it a top choice for budget-conscious buyers.
- **Switching Reason:** Recent reviewers mention switching from VMware to VirtualBox primarily due to cost considerations.

### What are the best alternatives to Fusion and VirtualBox?

The top 3 alternatives to Fusion and VirtualBox are Citrix DaaS, Red Hat OpenShift, and VMware vSphere.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-fusion/reviews) | 4.4/5 (126) | Enterprise | Affordable and offers a free version for non-commercial use | Hardware support and deployment on Mac |
| [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) | 4.5/5 (294) | Small-Business | Completely free and open source | Virtualization management and ease of use |
| [Citrix DaaS](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews) | 4.1/5 (546) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) | 4.5/5 (306) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [VMware vSphere](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews) | 4.5/5 (772) | Enterprise | — | — |

### Which Server Virtualization features should I prioritize when comparing Fusion and VirtualBox?

Buyers comparing Fusion and VirtualBox should prioritize Ease of Setup, Quality of Support, Virtualization Management, and Hardware Support.

- **Ease of Setup:** Fusion scores 8.3, VirtualBox scores 9.0, with reviewers frequently citing VirtualBox's setup simplicity.
- **Quality of Support:** Fusion scores 8.6, VirtualBox scores 7.9, with Fusion receiving higher satisfaction for support.
- **Virtualization Management:** VirtualBox is cited for virtualization management in 4 all-time mentions, while Fusion does not have this theme.
- **Hardware Support:** Fusion is cited for hardware support in 1 all-time mention, with no comparable theme for VirtualBox.

### What are the pros and cons of Fusion vs VirtualBox?

Fusion's headline strength is hardware support and deployment on Mac, while VirtualBox is strongest for virtualization management and ease of use.

- **Fusion strengths:** Hardware support (1 all-time mention), deployment on Mac, ease of use, and straightforward VM management.
- **Fusion trade-offs:** Reviewers note performance slowdowns with heavier workloads, less intuitive advanced configuration, and licensing costs for commercial use.
- **VirtualBox strengths:** Virtualization management (4 all-time mentions), ease of use (3 all-time mentions), integrations (2 all-time mentions), security (2 all-time mentions), open source, and broad OS support.
- **VirtualBox trade-offs:** Reviewers cite performance issues (3 all-time mentions), limited graphics acceleration, and a dated user interface.

### Is Fusion or VirtualBox better for small businesses?

VirtualBox is the better fit for small businesses, as it is most popular in the Small-Business segment and praised for its cost-effectiveness.

- **Fusion:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers highlight its value for Mac-centric organizations but mention licensing costs as a consideration for smaller companies.
- **VirtualBox:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently cite its free, open-source model and suitability for companies with limited budgets.

### Which Server Virtualization platform has better integrations?

VirtualBox is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing integrations in 2 all-time mentions, while Fusion has no recent integration mentions.

- **Fusion:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **VirtualBox:** Reviewers mention integrations and networking flexibility, with 2 all-time mentions for integrations and 1 for networking.

### How do Fusion and VirtualBox compare on customer support?

Fusion and VirtualBox are near parity on Quality of Support, with Fusion scoring 8.6 and VirtualBox 7.9, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **Fusion:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive and helpful, with several citing positive experiences and a score of 8.6.
- **VirtualBox:** Reviewers note active community support and accessible documentation, with a score of 7.9.

### Which is easier to implement, Fusion or VirtualBox?

VirtualBox leads on Ease of Setup with a score of 9.0 versus Fusion's 8.3, a difference of 0.7 points.

- **Fusion:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward but note that advanced configuration can be less intuitive.
- **VirtualBox:** Reviewers consistently highlight easy setup, guided wizards, and user-friendly installation, supporting its higher Ease of Setup score.

## VMware Fusion vs VirtualBox

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found VirtualBox easier to use, set up, and administer. However, reviewers preferred doing business with VMware Fusion overall.

- VMware Fusion and VirtualBox both meet the requirements of our reviewers at a comparable rate.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that VMware Fusion is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of VirtualBox over VMware Fusion.