Best Hypervisors for Mac of 2025

VirtualBox is a robust virtualization tool compatible with x86 and AMD64/Intel64 architectures, designed for both corporate and personal use. This software not only boasts an extensive array of features and high performance tailored for business clients but also stands out as the sole professional-grade option that is freely accessible as Open Source Software under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2. For those looking for a comprehensive introduction, refer to the section labeled "About VirtualBox." Currently, VirtualBox operates on various host systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Solaris, while offering compatibility with a wide range of guest operating systems, such as multiple versions of Windows (from NT 4.0 to Windows 10), DOS/Windows 3.x, various Linux distributions, Solaris, OpenSolaris, OS/2, and OpenBSD. The development of VirtualBox is ongoing, with regular updates contributing to an expanding catalog of features and supported guest operating systems. Additionally, it is the result of a collaborative effort within a vibrant community, supported by a committed company, ensuring its continuous improvement and relevance in the virtualization landscape.

Many individuals engage in discussions about open source, but words alone do not create progress; we take action through coding. With CrossOver, you can seamlessly operate your Windows® applications on MacOS, Linux, or ChromeOS. If you enjoy purchasing Windows® licenses, that's perfectly fine, but for those who wish to avoid that expense, CrossOver offers a straightforward solution to run various Microsoft applications on your Mac without the cumbersome experience of a traditional Windows emulator. Have you ever experienced the sluggishness of emulators on your Mac? CrossOver stands out because it isn't an emulator; instead, it effectively translates Windows commands into Mac commands, allowing you to use Windows software as if it were natively developed for Mac. This versatile tool supports a wide array of software, including productivity applications, utility tools, and games, all accessible through a single application. For the proud users of Linux, the idea of installing a Windows OS on your sophisticated machine can feel like a betrayal. You deserve to maintain the integrity of your system without resorting to purchasing a Windows license or wasting precious resources on a virtual machine, which is why CrossOver is an ideal choice for you. It empowers you to enjoy the best of both worlds without compromising on your values or your machine's performance.

Develop virtualization solutions utilizing a minimal hypervisor that operates independently of third-party kernel extensions. This hypervisor offers C APIs, enabling you to engage with virtualization technologies directly in user space, eliminating the need for kernel extensions (KEXTs). Consequently, applications built with this framework can be distributed via the Mac App Store. Leverage this framework to establish and manage hardware-assisted virtual machines and virtual processors (VMs and vCPUs) within your authorized, sandboxed user-space application. The Hypervisor presents virtual machines as processes and virtual processors as threads, simplifying the development process. It is important to note that the Hypervisor framework mandates hardware capabilities to efficiently virtualize resources. For devices powered by Apple silicon, this includes the necessary Virtualization Extensions, while on Intel-based Macs, it supports systems equipped with Intel VT-x features, which encompass Extended Page Tables (EPT) and Unrestricted Mode. Overall, this framework provides a robust foundation for creating advanced virtualization solutions tailored for modern computing environments.

Parallels Desktop can help you run Windows programs on Macs, or if you're moving from PC to Mac and need your data to be transferred, Test and develop across multiple OSes using a virtual machine for Mac. Microsoft Office for Windows and Internet Explorer are available to you. Windows apps that run quickly without slowing down your Mac. Move files, apps, and other items quickly from a computer to a Mac. You can use Windows side-by-side (no restarting necessary) on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro, iMac Pro or iMac Pro. You can share files and folders, and copy and paste text and images. You can also drag and drop files between Windows and Mac applications. Parallels Desktop automatically detects the files you need to get up and running in minutes. You will be asked to download and install Windows 10 or choose your existing Windows, Linux Ubuntu, or Bootcamp installation.

QEMU serves as a versatile and open-source machine emulator and virtualizer, allowing users to operate various operating systems across different architectures. It enables execution of applications designed for other Linux or BSD systems on any supported architecture. Moreover, it supports running KVM and Xen virtual machines with performance that closely resembles native execution. Recently, features like complete guest memory dumps, pre-copy/post-copy migration, and background guest snapshots have been introduced. Additionally, there is new support for the DEVICE_UNPLUG_GUEST_ERROR to identify hotplug failures reported by guests. For macOS users with Apple Silicon CPUs, the ‘hvf’ accelerator is now available for AArch64 guest support. The M-profile MVE extension is also now integrated for the Cortex-M55 processor. Furthermore, AMD SEV guests can now measure the kernel binary during direct kernel boot without utilizing a bootloader. Enhanced compatibility has been added for vhost-user and NUMA memory options, which are now available across all supported boards. This expansion of features reflects QEMU's commitment to providing robust virtualization solutions that cater to a wide range of user needs.

Explore a powerful bare-metal hypervisor that can be directly installed on your physical server. By providing immediate access to and management of the underlying hardware resources, VMware ESXi efficiently divides the server's capabilities to merge applications and reduce expenses. This hypervisor is recognized as the industry standard for effective architecture, exemplifying reliability, high performance, and excellent support. As IT teams face ongoing challenges to adapt to changing market demands and increased customer expectations, they also need to optimize their resources for more complex projects. Thankfully, ESXi aids in achieving a balance that promotes improved business results while also ensuring cost savings in IT operations. Its design not only enhances operational efficiency but also empowers organizations to innovate without compromising their budgets.

VMware Fusion empowers Mac users to seamlessly operate Windows alongside a variety of other operating systems and Mac applications without the need for rebooting. It caters to both casual users and IT professionals, making it versatile enough for developers and businesses alike. The capability to run Windows on a Mac is just the starting point; VMware Fusion offers access to a multitude of supported operating systems, ranging from niche Linux distributions to the latest version of Windows 10, all while coexisting with the current macOS. This software simplifies the process of testing virtually any operating system and application on a Mac, allowing users to build and evaluate applications in a controlled environment while easily sharing local files and folders. Additionally, Fusion Pro now features a RESTful API, enabling integration with contemporary development tools such as Docker, Vagrant, Ansible, and Chef, thus aligning VMware's robust functionality with the demands of modern Agile and DevOps workflows, ensuring that users can enhance their productivity effectively. By bridging the gap between different operating systems, VMware Fusion truly enriches the user experience on Mac.