Keep in mind that VMware Fusion currently supports only Intel Macs, though a public preview of an Apple Silicon version is available for download (more on it in a moment). The Pro version of Parallels adds customization features, unlocks a rollback mode that lets you experiment easily with system changes, and removes the restriction of 8GB of RAM and four emulated CPUs per machine. With the subscription model, you get new Parallels versions as soon as they're released. I don't recommend the Standard edition because it’s likely the version you buy this year won’t work smoothly with future versions of macOS or let you emulate future versions of Linux and Windows systems. Subscription options are available for corporate users who need heavy-duty levels of support, and they start at $241 per year.Īs a point of comparison, Parallels Desktop offers a limited Standard version for home and student users that costs a one-time fee of $79.99, as well as a subscription-based Pro edition for $99.99 per year. Currently, upgrades to Version 12 from older versions of VMware Fusion cost $79 for Player and $99 for Pro. You will need to pay if you ever want to upgrade to a new whole-number version of VMware Fusion, however.

VMware Fusion primarily functions as a traditional license-based app, meaning you buy it once and own it forever. (Opens in a new window) Read Our Oracle VM VirtualBox for Mac Review The company has two other products, Workstation Pro (Opens in a new window) and Workstation Player (Opens in a new window), for creating and running VMs on Windows or Linux computers. This review looks at VMware Fusion Pro Version 12, which is specifically for macOS. Parallels also runs noticeably faster than VMware Fusion. While VMware Fusion is an excellent piece of software for many use cases, Parallels Desktop remains our Editors' Choice winner among virtualization software, because it's currently the only practical choice for Apple Silicon machines. Enterprise-level management systems and controls round out VMware's feature set. VMware's no-cost solution for personal use is noteworthy, too, because scores of compatible, prebuilt systems are available for free online. Its apps work smoothly, and we like that the VMs you create with the Mac version of the software can also run on Windows and Linux devices.

How to Set Up Two-Factor AuthenticationĬorporate users and serious hobbyists who want to run Windows, Linux, or a different version of macOS in a virtual machine (VM) on an Intel Mac should use VMware Fusion.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

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