Best Option for the Cost
October 04, 2019
Best Option for the Cost

Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Oracle VM VirtualBox
We currently use VirtualBox for both production and non-production environments. In production, it supports an application that is rarely used. In non-production, we use to extensively test applications and new software. Historically, I have found VirtualBox invaluable for any testing I can think of for I.T. matters. It has provided a safe environment that was affordable for extensive testing.
- Cost
- Ease of use
- Ease of deployment
- Innovation
- Enterprise use in production environments
- Support
- Training
- Saves money
- Significant timesaver
- Minimal training required compared to its competition
I have used Parallels as well as VMware Workstation and have always returned to VirtualBox. VirtualBox is free which makes it easy to try. Compared to the others, it does everything I need. In +7 years I have not been able to justify the cost of a Parallels Desktop or VMware Workstation when compared against VirtualBox. They simply cannot justify their high costs, the products offer nothing extra most users would need.
Oracle VM VirtualBox Feature Ratings
Evaluating Oracle VM VirtualBox and Competitors
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
In most simple terms, the feature set for the price could not be beaten and has not been for the +7 years that I have used the product. VirtualBox just works and has been consistent. I cannot say that about any of its major competitors. Thankfully Oracle seems to see the value in keeping VirtualBox free.
I typically reevaluate VirtualBox annually in my professional capacity. Every time so far the result has been the same. My process seems to work and so I see no reason to change.