Linux · System Tools
VirtualBox
VirtualBox is a free, cross‑platform virtualization manager that runs Windows, Linux and macOS guests on a Linux host.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Latest version
- 7.2.20
What is VirtualBox?
VirtualBox was started by Innotek in 2007, later acquired by Oracle, and has been maintained for over a decade. It supports a wide range of guest operating systems and offers a GUI plus command‑line tools, making it a mature alternative to VMware Workstation on Linux.
It targets developers, testers, and power users who need to spin up disposable VMs or run multiple OSes side‑by‑side. The interface feels familiar to Windows users: a tree view of VMs, simple dialogs for settings, and hot‑keys for common actions.
Compared with VMware Workstation, VirtualBox is slower in some heavy workloads but offers comparable features without a license fee. Its open‑source core and broad distro packaging make installation straightforward on Arch, openSUSE, Debian, Fedora and Ubuntu.
Best for: Users who need a cost‑free, well‑supported VM solution on Linux and are comfortable with occasional manual tweaks.
Key features of VirtualBox
- Support for Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris guests
- Snapshot and cloning capabilities
- Seamless mode and shared folders
- USB 2.0/3.0 pass‑through (extension pack)
- Virtual networking (NAT, bridged, host‑only)
- Command‑line interface (VBoxManage)
- Guest Additions for improved performance
- Cross‑platform GUI
Pros
- Free and open‑source core
- Widely packaged in major Linux repos
- Good hardware compatibility
- Easy to export/import VMs
Cons
- Performance lags behind VMware in intensive workloads
- Extension pack for USB 3.0 is proprietary
- GUI feels dated compared to modern tools
Windows programs VirtualBox replaces
How to install VirtualBox on Linux
sudo apt install virtualboxsudo apt install virtualbox-guest-additions-isosudo dnf install virtualbox-guest-additionssudo pacman -S virtualboxsudo zypper install virtualboxTips for Windows users
Export your existing VMware Workstation VMs as OVF/OVA files and import them via VirtualBox’s ‘Import Appliance’ wizard; most keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+Alt+Del, host key) are similar, but VirtualBox uses the right‑Ctrl key as the default host key for releasing mouse capture.
VirtualBox: frequently asked questions
Can VirtualBox run Windows 10 as a guest on Linux?
Yes, VirtualBox fully supports Windows 10 as a guest OS, provided you enable the appropriate hardware acceleration.
How do I enable 3D acceleration in VirtualBox?
Install the Guest Additions inside the VM and enable the 3D Acceleration checkbox in the display settings.
Is there a way to share clipboard between host and guest?
Install Guest Additions and enable bidirectional clipboard sharing in the General → Advanced tab.
What is the ‘host key’ and how do I change it?
The host key (right‑Ctrl by default) releases mouse and keyboard capture; you can change it in File → Preferences → Input.
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