VirtualBox for Mac

Free

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Editors' Rating:

3.5 3.5

Very good

Average User Rating:

3.9 3.9

out of 56 votes out of 56 votes

Quick Specs

Version:

5.2.12
Total Downloads:

209,008
Date Added:

May 13, 2018
Price:

Free

File Size:

91.17MB
Downloads Last Week:

135
Platform:

Mac
Product ranking:

#4 in System Utilities

Beta or prerelease software is not intended for inexperienced users, as the software may contain bugs or potentially damage your system. We strongly recommend that users exercise caution and save all mission-critical data before installing and/or using this software.

Editors' Review

by Download.com staff / December 19, 2012

VirtualBox for Mac is a virtualization tool that allows you to create virtual machines for Mac OS X, Linux, or Windows running on Mac OS X. VirtualBox for Mac is not available from the App Store but can be downloaded from most download sites. VirtualBox for Mac is open-source software and has no charges associated with it.

VirtualBox for Mac lets you create a virtual machine on Mac OS X that you can then load Mac OS X, Windows (pretty much any variant) or Linux (and OpenBSD) into. As long as you can allocate a decent amount of RAM to the virtual machine, VirtualBox for Mac will let you run multiple operating systems without issue. To test VirtualBox for Mac we loaded up virtual machines with Windows 7, Windows Server, Mac OS X, and two versions of Linux. On our 8GB RAM MacBook Pro we could run two or three virtual machines at the same time (each allocated 1GB RAM) and switch between them cleanly. Access to system resources such as hard-drive partitions, USB devices, CD player, and so on is mostly clean, although some USB devices may cause issues. Fortunately, as an open-source project VirtualBox for Mac has lots of contributors and advisers on its forums that can help troubleshoot issues.

We've used a few commercial (and expensive) virtualization tools on our MacBook Pro, but after using VirtualBox for Mac we think we'll ditch the commercial products. VirtualBox for Mac lacks nothing the commercial products offer except perhaps a tech support phone line. A very nice product.

Publisher's Description

From Oracle: VirtualBox is a family of powerful x86 virtualization products for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). VirtualBox runs on Mac OS X, Windows and Linux and supports a large number of guest operating systems including but not limited to Windows (NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista), DOS/Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4 and 2.6), and OpenBSD. VirtualBox is being actively developed with frequent releases and has an ever growing list of features, supported guest operating systems and platforms it runs on. VirtualBox is a community effort backed by a dedicated company: everyone is encouraged to contribute while innotek ensures the product always meets professional quality criteria.

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3 stars

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"Good, but hard to read"

Wolfmont May 30, 2013 / Version: VirtualBox 4.2.12

2013-05-30 07:55:42 | By Wolfmont

Pros

Runs the software I have tried to run
Doesn't require an install of Windows
Uses WIn XP (a stable version of Windows)

Cons

Screen is SMALL!

Summary

While this was useful for loading and running some Windows software on my Mac, the screen display for the Windows VM is so small that I have to strain to read it. I have not been able to find a way to make the screen bigger.

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5 stars

{ review.getRatingValue }}

"worked perfectly"

docperc May 09, 2013 / Version: VirtualBox 4.2.12

2013-05-09 20:30:43 | By docperc

Pros

allowed me to connect to my corporate website with its arcane firewall structure

Cons

none of any significance

Summary

if you can follow fairly simple instructions, this software will work for you

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4 stars

{ review.getRatingValue }}

"A competent product"

elgy February 15, 2013 / Version: VirtualBox 4.2.6

2013-02-15 03:41:29 | By elgy

Pros

Functions well, like a real PC in your Mac.

Cons

Lacks some of the bells and whistles of Parallels.

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4 stars

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"Works as expected."

burke September 06, 2012 / Version: VirtualBox 4.2rc2

2012-09-06 04:23:23 | By burke

Pros

It's free. It works. "Seamless" windows. Resizable displays.

Cons

OMG, you may have to read the manual to install it.

Summary

I have not used other VM software, so I can't compare. I occasionally need to fire up Windows to see what my Windows-user students see. I can now do this on one machine. Be sure to install the "Guest Additions" for easier and richer display options. Seamless view is good. Resizable display size is great. I prefer to minimize it on the dock when not needed, versus seamless view.

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2 stars

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"Can't Update to 4.2"

rsstroud August 26, 2012 / Version: VirtualBox 4.2rc2

2012-08-26 07:10:16 | By rsstroud

Pros

I have 4.1.18 and it seems to work well

Cons

Installer for new version will not allow installation on Mac 10.5.8. Tells me "The installer has detected running Virtual Machines." But VM is not running.

I have "Wine" on this machine. Could this be confusing the installer?

Summary

Can't really evaluate, but pretty poor to have installer that will not work.

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5 stars

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"A must in Mac world"

ETmacUser August 16, 2012 / Version: VirtualBox 4.2.0b1

2012-08-16 16:11:56 | By ETmacUser

Pros

Easy install, it performs well what is supposed to do, the road to many windows-only apps. The right tool (I'm looking forward when it will be directly implemented in OSX, since is a great utility)

Cons

Some minor hassle in connecting to external media such as smartphones (OSX is faster in getting the "new" interface - after all the host system relay on OSX for external world).
It would be great if given tools for "older" systems too, say Amiga, Mac OS Classic, Commodore VIC64, Spectre... for IT archaeology and recover of older documents (more than 10 years ago...)

Summary

Better than celebrated (and not free) emulators. And it's free, well supported and very reliable. What can you expect more?

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1 stars

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"Doesn't download on OS X"

marikavs April 04, 2012 / Version: VirtualBox 4.1.12

2012-04-04 07:03:28 | By marikavs

Pros

None (at least 10 characters is dumb)

Cons

The requested object does not exist on this server. The link you followed is either outdated, inaccurate, or the server has been instructed not to let you have it.
Need I say more...

Summary

Doesn't download on OS X

Updated on Apr 4, 2012

Sorry, should have added Snow Leopard.

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3 stars

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"Good for free"

sobokuOne April 02, 2012 / Version: VirtualBox 4.1.12

2012-04-02 14:22:45 | By sobokuOne

Pros

Lets you install a lot of OS's small in size compare to others

Cons

On Lion for me it seems to keep my system slow and sluggish after I quit the app. I have to reboot after ever use to get Lion running smooth again. Don't no what going on maybe its not releasing the memory.

Summary

Great to have when you need to test out a new beta version of an OS and its free.

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5 stars

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"Works better than Parallels and it is FREE!"

Paul McNulty December 31, 2011 / Version: VirtualBox 4.1.8

2011-12-31 16:28:09 | By Paul McNulty

Pros

Diversification and easy to use

Cons

Compared to Parallels - NONE

Summary

I wish I found this App before I wasted my money on parallels. This App does everything that it promises to do! A keeper for me!

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4 stars

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"Very handy product, easy to use."

Thombar99 November 14, 2011 / Version: VirtualBox 4.1.6

2011-11-14 07:48:09 | By Thombar99

Pros

Can use windows program on my iMac

Cons

Having trouble with setting up a printer.

Summary

Definitely worth the price if you need to use Windows programs

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Full Specifications

General
Publisher	Oracle
Publisher web site	http://www.oracle.com
Release Date	May 13, 2018
Date Added	May 13, 2018
Version	5.2.12

Category
Category	Utilities & Operating Systems
Subcategory	System Utilities

Operating Systems
Operating Systems	Mac
Additional Requirements	macOS High Sierra macOS Sierra OS X El Capitan OS X Yosemite OS X Mavericks OS X Mountain Lion OS X Lion OS X Snow Leopard

Download Information
File Size	91.17MB
File Name	VirtualBox-5.2.12-122591-OSX.dmg

Popularity
Total Downloads	209,008
Downloads Last Week	135

Pricing
License Model	Free
Limitations	Not available
Price	Free

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Previous Versions

VirtualBox 5.2.10VirtualBox 5.2.8VirtualBox 5.2.6VirtualBox 5.2.4VirtualBox 5.2.2VirtualBox 5.2.0VirtualBox 5.1.30VirtualBox 5.2rc1VirtualBox 5.2b3VirtualBox 5.2b2VirtualBox 5.2b1VirtualBox 5.1.26VirtualBox 5.1.24VirtualBox 5.1.22VirtualBox 5.1.18VirtualBox 5.1.16VirtualBox 5.1.14VirtualBox 5.1.10VirtualBox 5.1.6VirtualBox 5.1.4VirtualBox 5.1.2VirtualBox 5.1VirtualBox 5.0.24VirtualBox 5.1b3VirtualBox 5.1b2VirtualBox 5.0.20VirtualBox 5.0.18VirtualBox 5.0.16VirtualBox 5.0.14VirtualBox 5.0.12VirtualBox 5.0.10VirtualBox 5.0.8VirtualBox 5.0.6VirtualBox 5.0.4VirtualBox 5.0.2VirtualBox 5.0VirtualBox 5.0RC3VirtualBox 5.0RC2VirtualBox 5.0RC1VirtualBox 4.3.28VirtualBox 5.0b3VirtualBox 5.0b2VirtualBox 5.0b1VirtualBox 4.3.26VirtualBox 4.3.24VirtualBox 4.3.22VirtualBox 4.3.20VirtualBox 4.3.18VirtualBox 4.3.16VirtualBox 4.3.14VirtualBox 4.3.12VirtualBox 4.3.10VirtualBox 4.3.8VirtualBox 4.3.6VirtualBox 4.3.4VirtualBox 4.3.2VirtualBox 4.3VirtualBox 4.2.18VirtualBox 4.2.16VirtualBox 4.2.14VirtualBox 4.2.12VirtualBox 4.2.10VirtualBox 4.2.8VirtualBox 4.2.6VirtualBox 4.2.4VirtualBox 4.2.2VirtualBox 4.2.1VirtualBox 4.2VirtualBox 4.2rc4VirtualBox 4.2rc3VirtualBox 4.2rc2VirtualBox 4.1.20VirtualBox 4.2.0b1VirtualBox 4.1.18VirtualBox 4.1.16VirtualBox 4.1.14VirtualBox 4.1.12VirtualBox 4.1.10VirtualBox 4.1.8VirtualBox 4.1.6VirtualBox 4.1.4VirtualBox 4.1.2VirtualBox 4.1VirtualBox 4.0.12VirtualBox 4.0.10VirtualBox 4.0.8VirtualBox 4.0.6VirtualBox 4.0.4VirtualBox 4.0.2VirtualBox 4.0VirtualBox 3.2.12VirtualBox 3.2.10VirtualBox 3.2.8VirtualBox 3.2.6VirtualBox 3.2.4.62467VirtualBox 3.2.4VirtualBox 3.2.2VirtualBox 3.2VirtualBox 3.1.8

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VirtualBox for Mac

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Full Specifications

Previous Versions

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