To enable virtualization on macOS, you can set up virtualization software to run virtual machines on your Mac. Here is a collection of the most popular virtualization software for macOS.
Currently available options for M1/M2 based Virtualization
- VMware Fusion – VM ware Mac (FREE for personal use)
- Parallels Desktop for Mac (FREE for 14 days)
- UTM VirtualMachines for Mac (Free and Open Source)
- VirtualBox on Mac M1/M2
VMware Fusion M1/M2
VMware Fusion is a commercial virtualization solution designed for macOS users. It offers robust virtual machine performance and compatibility with various guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. VMware Fusion features Unity Mode for seamless integration of Windows applications with macOS, 3D graphics support, and compatibility with macOS Server virtualization. It provides an intuitive interface and supports macOS features like drag-and-drop file sharing and integration with security features.
| VMware fusion evaluation – 30-day evaluation | https://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/fusion-evaluation.html |
| VMware Fusion Player – Personal Use License | https://customerconnect.vmware.com/evalcenter?p=fusion-player-personal-13 |
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop is a commercial virtualization software designed for macOS users. It allows you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on your Mac, including Windows, Linux, and older macOS versions. It features Coherence Mode for seamless integration of Windows applications into the macOS environment and offers excellent performance with 3D graphics and gaming support. Parallels also provides integration features like drag-and-drop file sharing between macOS and virtual machines.
| Parallels Desktop – 14 days trial | https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/download/ |
| Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Image | https://link.parallels.com/link/647d9b87kOse |
| Running Parallels on M2 | Parallels on M2, a review. |
UTM Virtual Machine for Mac
UTM (Universal Type-C Machine) is an open-source virtualization solution on various platforms, including macOS and iOS devices. It supports multiple guest operating systems, making it versatile and customizable. UTM is handy for running Linux or other Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Mac operating systems. However, it may require more technical expertise to set up and configure than commercial solutions.
| UTM Download link (From the UTM website) | https://mac.getutm.app/ |
| UTM Download from Apple – Mac App store | https://apps.apple.com/us/app/utm-virtual-machines/id1538878817 |
VirtualBox on mac M1/M2 (Apple Silicon M1/M2)
VirtualBox (Oracle VM VirtualBox) is a free and open-source virtualization software developed by Oracle. It’s available for macOS, Windows, Linux, and more. VirtualBox supports various guest operating systems and offers features like snapshots, virtual machine cloning, and advanced networking options. It’s an excellent choice for developers, testers, and hobbyists who want to experiment with different operating systems on their Macs.
| VirtualBox Developer preview for macOS / Arm64 (M1/M2) hosts | https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/7.0.8/VirtualBox-7.0.8_BETA4-156879-macOSArm64.dmg |
| UTM M1/M2 Ubuntu VM creation steps | https://codetryout.com/how-to-run-linux-vm-on-m1-mac/ |
MacOS ARM Virtualization references
- Windows 11 ARM Download: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewARM64
- Ubuntu Server for ARM https://ubuntu.com/download/server/arm
In summary, these virtualization solutions cater to different needs and preferences. Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are user-friendly commercial options with advanced features. VirtualBox is a free and flexible open-source choice. At the same time, UTM is open-source and suitable for running various guest operating systems, including on Apple Silicon-based Macs and iOS devices. Your choice depends on your specific requirements, technical skills, and budget.