--- title: Oracle VirtualBox canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/virtualbox/ category: Virtual Machine Software points: 92 rank: 1 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Oracle VirtualBox Open-source desktop virtualization that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux hosts. 92 points out of 100. #1 of 12 virtual machine programs. Vendor: Oracle. Website: https://www.virtualbox.org/ - The base package is open source, released under GPL version 3 [1][2]. - It installs on Windows, macOS and Linux hosts [4]. - Snapshots are built in; shared folders, a shared clipboard and 3D graphics need Guest Additions in the guest [3][6]. - Version 7.2.20 came out on 2026-09-22 [11]. - The Extension Pack is free only for personal and educational use [2]. Verdict: VirtualBox suits anyone who wants a no-cost virtual machine app with open-source code on Windows, macOS or Linux [2][4][12]. It lists snapshots, shared folders, nested virtualization and virtual TPM 2.0 with Secure Boot [3][7][8]. The catch: the manual does not describe a ready-made image gallery, and the separate Extension Pack carries a personal-use licence [2][10]. Best for: People who want a free, open-source virtual machine app on Windows. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Guest systems | Windows, Linux | 8/8 | Manual lists Windows 11, Windows 10, Oracle Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu as guests [3][6]. | | Systems | Also runs on other hosts | macOS, Linux | 4/4 | Installer packages exist for macOS and Linux hosts as well as Windows [4]. | | Systems | Works on Windows Home | Yes | 5/5 | Manual lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 as hosts with no edition limit [4]. | | Virtual machines | Snapshots | Yes | 8/8 | Manual says snapshots save a particular state of a virtual machine for later use [9]. | | Virtual machines | Virtual TPM and Secure Boot | Yes | 5/5 | VBoxManage lists --tpm-type 2.0 and a modifynvram command that enables UEFI Secure Boot [8]. | | Virtual machines | Network modes | NAT, Bridged, Host-only | 6/6 | Manual describes NAT, bridged, host-only and internal networking [5]. | | Virtual machines | Nested virtualization | Yes | 4/4 | Manual describes passthrough of hardware virtualization functions to the guest, set with --nested-hw-virt [7]. | | Virtual machines | Starts from a ready-made image | No | 0/4 | Manual says you provide the operating system; it mentions no image gallery [10]. | | Devices | 3D graphics for guests | Yes | 8/8 | Guest Additions include hardware 3D support for Windows and Linux guests [6]. | | Devices | USB devices in the guest | Yes | 6/6 | Manual lists USB device attachment through virtual OHCI to xHCI controllers [3][9]. | | Devices | Shared folders | Yes | 6/6 | Manual says shared folders exchange data between a virtual machine and the host [9]. | | Devices | Shared clipboard | Yes | 4/4 | Clipboard sharing needs Guest Additions and is off by default [9]. | | Openness and upkeep | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | The source repository is public and released under GPL version 3 [12]. | | Openness and upkeep | Security advisories published | Not published | 0/4 | The manual's security chapter names specific CVEs but links no advisory list [13]. | | Openness and upkeep | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 4/4 | Changelog lists version 7.2.20 dated 2026-09-22 [11]. | | Price | Free edition | Yes | 6/6 | The base package is released under GPL version 3 and is open source [2][3]. | | Price | Cheapest licence for work use | $0 | 12/12 | The GPL base package is free; the Extension Pack is not counted [2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | VirtualBox (base package) | Free [2] | $0 | We score the base package only. The Extension Pack is free for personal and educational use; business use needs commercial terms [2]. ## Strengths - Base package is GPL version 3 with public source code [2][12]. - Runs as a host on Windows, macOS and Linux [4]. - Manual documents NAT, bridged, host-only and internal networking [5]. - Virtual TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot can both be set from the command line [8]. - The changelog shows a release as recent as 2026-09-22 [11]. ## Limits - You supply your own operating system installer; VirtualBox does not provide one [10]. - The Extension Pack is free only for personal and educational use [2]. - The Windows host list names Windows 10 and 11 but gives no edition detail [4]. - The manual's security chapter discusses specific CVEs but links no advisory list [13]. ## Sources 1. [Oracle VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Download VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [About Oracle VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/Introduction.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Installing Oracle VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/installation.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Virtual Networking](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/networkingdetails.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Guest Additions](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/guestadditions.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Advanced Topics](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/AdvancedTopics.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [VBoxManage](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/vboxmanage.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Working with Virtual Machines](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/working-with-vms.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Creating a New Virtual Machine](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/create-vm.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [VirtualBox changelog](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [VirtualBox/virtualbox](https://github.com/VirtualBox/virtualbox), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [Security Guide](https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/topics/Security.html), Oracle, accessed 2026-10-08