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CodeWeavers CrossOver VS Portable Virtualbox

Compare CodeWeavers CrossOver VS Portable Virtualbox and see what are their differences

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CodeWeavers CrossOver logo CodeWeavers CrossOver

Don't buy a Windows license, don't reboot and don't use a Virtual Machine. Try a free trial of CrossOver to run your Windows software on Mac, Linux and Chrome OS.

Portable Virtualbox logo Portable Virtualbox

Portable-VirtualBox is a free and open source software tool that lets you run any operating system from a usb stick without separate installation. Installation instructions. Download and run Portable-VirtualBox_v5.
  • CodeWeavers CrossOver Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09
  • Portable Virtualbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-18

CodeWeavers CrossOver features and specs

  • Compatibility
    CrossOver enables users to run many Windows applications on macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS without requiring a Windows license or virtual machine.
  • Performance
    Applications generally run faster and consume fewer resources as compared to running them in a virtual machine because CrossOver eliminates the overhead associated with a full Windows OS.
  • Ease of Use
    The interface is user-friendly, allowing even non-technical users to install and run Windows applications with relative ease.
  • Cost
    CrossOver is generally less expensive than purchasing a Windows license and a virtual machine software, offering a cost-effective solution for running Windows applications.
  • Official Support
    CrossOver provides official technical support and frequent updates, which can be an advantage over community-supported tools like Wine.
  • Integration
    Windows applications run more seamlessly within your native operating system environment, making them appear like native applications.

Possible disadvantages of CodeWeavers CrossOver

  • Limited Compatibility
    While CrossOver supports many Windows applications, it does not support all of them. Some applications may not run perfectly or may have performance issues.
  • Subscription Model
    CrossOver operates on a subscription model, which might be a con for users looking for a one-time purchase option.
  • Dependency on Wine
    CrossOver is based on Wine, an open-source project, meaning your experience is partially dependent on the progress and limitations of the Wine project.
  • Performance Overhead
    Although less resource-intensive than virtual machines, there's still some performance overhead associated with translating Windows API calls to the host OS.
  • Initial Setup
    While easier than some alternatives, initial setup and configuration can still be complex for users unfamiliar with compatibility layers or Windows applications.
  • Licensing Restrictions
    Certain commercial or enterprise licenses may have restrictions or limitations that can complicate using CrossOver in a business environment.

Portable Virtualbox features and specs

  • Portability
    Portable VirtualBox allows you to run virtual machines from a USB stick or other removable media, making it easy to carry your virtual working environment with you.
  • No Installation Required
    The portable version doesn't require installation on the host machine, which is useful for users who don’t have administrative privileges or do not want to modify the host system.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Portable VirtualBox can be used on multiple operating systems, allowing for greater flexibility in where and how you use it.
  • Isolation
    Running virtual machines in a portable format ensures isolation from the host system, increasing security by reducing the risk of malware affecting the host.
  • Consistency
    Using the same virtual machine across different environments ensures a consistent working and development environment.

Possible disadvantages of Portable Virtualbox

  • Performance Overhead
    Running virtual machines from a USB stick can result in slower performance compared to running them directly from an installed version on the host system.
  • Limited USB Write Speed
    The read/write speeds of USB drives can significantly bottleneck performance, especially for I/O-intensive tasks within the virtualized environment.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    The portable version may lack some advanced features and integrations available in the fully installed version of VirtualBox.
  • Driver Issues
    Depending on the host system, there may be driver compatibility issues that can affect the functionality and stability of the portable virtual machine.
  • Data Loss Risk
    Since the virtual machine is run off removable media, there is a higher risk of data loss or corruption if the media gets damaged or disconnected improperly.

Analysis of CodeWeavers CrossOver

Overall verdict

  • Overall, CodeWeavers CrossOver is a good solution for those who need Windows applications on other operating systems. While it may not support every Windows application, its ease of use and solid performance make it a worthwhile option for many users.

Why this product is good

  • CodeWeavers CrossOver is well-regarded for allowing users to run Windows applications on macOS and Linux systems without the need to install a separate Windows OS. It is user-friendly, supports a wide range of applications, and offers good performance. The continuous development and dedicated support from CodeWeavers also add value, making it a reliable choice for many users.

Recommended for

  • Mac users looking to run essential Windows applications without dual booting.
  • Linux users who need access to specific Windows software for work or personal use.
  • Individuals who prefer a straightforward installation process without the need for a full Windows license.
  • Users seeking an affordable alternative to virtual machines or dual boot setups for accessing Windows applications.

Analysis of Portable Virtualbox

Overall verdict

  • While it offers the convenience of portability, Portable VirtualBox can sometimes be less stable and have performance drawbacks compared to a fully installed version of VirtualBox. It is suitable for light to moderate virtual machine usage but may not be ideal for resource-intensive applications.

Why this product is good

  • Portable VirtualBox (vbox.me) allows users to run a complete operating system installation from a USB drive without the need for installation on the host machine. This is beneficial for those who need consistent environments across different computers or want to test different OS configurations without affecting the host system.

Recommended for

    Portable VirtualBox is recommended for developers, IT professionals, and tech enthusiasts who need a portable and flexible solution for running virtual machines on different hardware without installation. It's also suitable for students and learners who want to experiment with different operating systems in a non-permanent environment.

CodeWeavers CrossOver videos

+ Add

Crisis on Infinite Earths: Crossover Review

More videos:

  • Review - Top 10 New Crossover Cars with Updated Looks, Prices and Specifications in 2019
  • Review - 2019 Compact Crossover Challenge | MotorWeek Comparison Test

Portable Virtualbox videos

No Portable Virtualbox videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CodeWeavers CrossOver and Portable Virtualbox)

CodeWeavers CrossOver

Portable Virtualbox

Group Chat & Notifications
100 100%
Group Chat & Notifications
0% 0
Cloud Computing
45 45%
Cloud Computing
55% 55
Virtualization
0 0%
Virtualization
100% 100
Gaming
100 100%
Gaming
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using CodeWeavers CrossOver and Portable Virtualbox. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CodeWeavers CrossOver and Portable Virtualbox

CodeWeavers CrossOver Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
CrossOver is a compatibility layer for Windows that lets the program run natively on Linux, macOS, and Chrome OS, among others. This free and open-source program has many useful features and functions that make it easy to link your Windows programs together. The business edition is excellent for large organizations because it has better support and more powerful features....
Source: www.justalternativeto.com

Portable Virtualbox Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
With Portable-VirtualBox, a free and open-source program, you can start any operating system straight from a USB stick. It gives you a lot of freedom in how you use the hard drive and keeps you from filling up the disc, which is especially helpful if you are using someone else's computer. Defaults are now made automatically. It makes VirtualBox portable by extracting the...
Source: www.justalternativeto.com
7 VirtualBox Alternatives You Can Consider
Due to its limitation, it will not support bridged networking i.e connecting a guest OS to a network on the host system through its network adapter is not possible. Therefore, you need a virtual network adaptor in order to do that. Portable-VirtualBox is highly configurable and supports following virtual guest operating systems: Windows NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista....
Source: www.techuntold.com
7 Best VirtualBox Alternatives You Can Use
I’m sure you can appreciate the irony in the name of this program, but this is also a very apt description of what Portable-VirtualBox is. In essence, this free and open source program is VirtualBox that you don’t need to essentially install, thereby making it useful even if it’s contained in a USB drive. Portable-VirtualBox works by downloading and virtually installing...
Source: beebom.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CodeWeavers CrossOver seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CodeWeavers CrossOver mentions (1)

  • Anyone try V Rising on Parallels or Crossover?
    Here you go https://codeweavers.com/crossover. Source: about 3 years ago

Portable Virtualbox mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Portable Virtualbox yet. Tracking of Portable Virtualbox recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CodeWeavers CrossOver and Portable Virtualbox, you can also consider the following products

Wine - Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.

VirtualBox - VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as...

PlayOnLinux - PlayOnLinux will allow you to play your favorite games on Linux easily

QEMU - QEMU (short for "Quick EMUlator") is a free and open-source hosted hypervisor that...

WineBottler - WineBottler is an App to manage and wrap your Windows apps into convenient OS X apps.

VMware Workstation - VMware Workstation is a multiple operating system handler to easily evaluate the any other type of new operating systems.

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