Windows 11 ARM on MAC: VMware or Parallels?

[stanlawj]

Windows user here, I don't own any Mac yet.
For running Windows on Mac, how is the performance on VMware compared to Parallels? Since VMware is free but Parallels is subscription based, has anyone used VMware? Any problems with it to run Microsoft Office?

 

[rvyne7]

I bought Parallels a while ago, and if you choose a one-time or monthly subscription, it's definitely worth it. However, they release new versions every year and tend to stop supporting older versions fairly quickly, so it ends up feeling like endless payments.

 

[Elnoxv]

just use vmware fusion pro. it's free.
https://blogs.vmware.com/teamfusion/2024/05/fusion-pro-now-available-free-for-personal-use.html

 

[stanlawj]

I bought Parallels a while ago, and if you choose a one-time or monthly subscription, it's definitely worth it. However, they release new versions every year and tend to stop supporting older versions fairly quickly, so it ends up feeling like endless payments.

Did you try VMWare Fusion Pro 13? It supports Apple Silicon.

 

[stanlawj]

It looks like VMWare Fusion Pro is the way to go.

 

[i.Singaporean]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/parallels-vs-vmware-fusion-can-we-save-money.2427076/

Geekbench 5

Parallels: 1524 (single-core) / 8715 (multi-core)

VMware: 1474 (single-core) / 8680 (multi-core)

*Parallels shows 8 CPU / 8 cores, while VMware shows 1 CPU, 8 Cores. Pretty much the same thing in the end, though, but notable.
*Parallels and VMware show different clock speeds. See note at the end.
*I wasn’t happy with their upgrade pricing, so I haven’t upgraded to ver 6.
*Geekbench shows no compatible compute device within both VMs.


Unigen Haven

Parallels: 81.0 fps / 2039 score

VMware: 74.1 fps / 1867 score

*Unigen shows different CPU speeds (see note at the end) and different vRAM, not sure why.


Warhammer: Dawn of War III Performance Test

Parallels: 2.22 min fps / 63.30 max fps / 30.55 average fps

VMware: 31.04 min fps / 60.22 max fps / 42.24 average fps

*VMware got 3 more frames at its max, its min was pretty bad, and overall average are about 10-12 fps less.


2D Graphics (Passmark)

Parallels 19

VmWare 3.5 Windows 11

 

[rvyne7]

Did you try VMWare Fusion Pro 13? It supports Apple Silicon.

never tried. never run VM on my MAC OS this days.

 

[Singrish]

I assume OP knows ARM version of Windows can’t run regular windows sofware? Need specific version for ARM windows.

 

[ceecookie]

I assume OP knows ARM version of Windows can’t run regular windows sofware? Need specific version for ARM windows.

That's only for windows 10. Windows 11 ARM comes with x64/x86 emulation to handle traditional windows software.

Since Apple mac is ARM, VMware cannot emulate windows or any OS that is x64/x86 directly.

 

[Singrish]

That's only for windows 10. Windows 11 ARM comes with x64/x86 emulation to handle traditional windows software.

Since Apple mac is ARM, VMware cannot emulate windows or any OS that is x64/x86 directly.

Really? So can run Steam for Windows & other games on Windows 11ARM?

 

[Op_Valkyrie]

Why do ppl buy Mac and trying so hard and all means to run them as Windows (even if works, the performance is not optimal)…. Might as well go back to windows sua…

 

[Singrish]

Why do ppl buy Mac and trying so hard and all means to run them as Windows (even if works, the performance is not optimal)…. Might as well go back to windows sua…

Cos not everyone has space for 2 computers & some of us are happy using mac for daily use & happy being able to play windows games (even if not at 8K reso) occasionally.

 

[ceecookie]

Really? So can run Steam for Windows & other games on Windows 11ARM?

Yes. Here's a screenshot of Steam working on my Windows 11 Enterprise on Vmware.

TBH the VMware usage is more for work purpose (e.g windows-only app) than gaming for me. I prefer playing on my gaming PC at home, so this is only if i am bored outside the house lol.

 

[reddevil0728]

Yes. Here's a screenshot of Steam working on my Windows 11 Enterprise on Vmware.

TBH the VMware usage is more for work purpose (e.g windows-only app) than gaming for me. I prefer playing on my gaming PC at home, so this is only if i am bored outside the house lol.

Does it mean with w11 arm version running on apple silicon Mac, one can essentially use windows on a Mac like any normal pc.

the emulator will take care of it

the only bottleneck is just performance?

but a powerful Mac should be able to compensate for it?

 

[ceecookie]

Does it mean with w11 arm version running on apple silicon Mac, one can essentially use windows on a Mac like any normal pc.

the emulator will take care of it

the only bottleneck is just performance?

but a powerful Mac should be able to compensate for it?

Correct. There's some bottleneck when running Windows 11 on VMware - this is caused by the VMware virtualization software. So when playing Steam games this way, can expect about 10-20% slower gaming fps coz of this issue.

 

[Singrish]

Correct. There's some bottleneck when running Windows 11 on VMware - this is caused by the VMware virtualization software. So when playing Steam games this way, can expect about 10-20% slower gaming fps coz of this issue.

I guess as long as not playing online competitive gaming & just play solo campaign should be ok. Glad i ordered M4 Pro Mac Mini with 1 TB SSD

This will be my first time using VMware. Previously i used boot camp on intel mac.

 

[Singrish]

Was doing some research & it seems Parallels is better just that there’s an annual fee where else VMware is free.

 

[stanlawj]

Was doing some research & it seems Parallels is better just that there’s an annual fee where else VMware is free.

That annual fee for Parallels is substantial. Over 3 years, you're better off buying an Intel Mini PC or cheap laptop and use remote desktop. More RAM, more storage, and Mac side is not compromised by sharing resources.
That's why think VMWare is the best. But there are so few reports or reviews of VMWare Fusion Pro on Mac and I don't know how the performance is like. I wonder if it's because the reviewers for virtualization on Mac are all compensated by Parallels in some way (affiliate links, etc).

 

[rvyne7]

That annual fee for Parallels is substantial. Over 3 years, you're better off buying an Intel Mini PC or cheap laptop and use remote desktop. More RAM, more storage, and Mac side is not compromised by sharing resources.
That's why think VMWare is the best. But there are so few reports or reviews of VMWare Fusion Pro on Mac and I don't know how the performance is like. I wonder if it's because the reviewers for virtualization on Mac are all compensated by Parallels in some way (affiliate links, etc).

Yes, for Parallels they have a one-time payment option as well, but it only provides the current version. This is only viable for up to two years, as compatibility with successive versions requires you to upgrade or pay again.

For VMware, I tried over the weekend, but not on my Mac—only on my PC. They’ve deliberately made their download policy confusing, which made me give up trying to figure it out, haha.

** correction i just manage to download vmware but really quite troublesome

 

[Singrish]

Yes, for Parallels they have a one-time payment option as well, but it only provides the current version. This is only viable for up to two years, as compatibility with successive versions requires you to upgrade or pay again.

For VMware, I tried over the weekend, but not on my Mac—only on my PC. They’ve deliberately made their download policy confusing, which made me give up trying to figure it out, haha.

** correction i just manage to download vmware but really quite troublesome

Thanks. Seems like seriously not worth the hassle.lol