Parallels vs VirtualBox:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, VirtualBox had more branded searches than Parallels among virtual machine software worldwide. VirtualBox had about 823,000 branded searches, while Parallels had 90,500. VirtualBox made up 52.6% of all virtual machine software searches we track, and Parallels accounted for 5.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about virtual machine software, VirtualBox appeared in all five answers and Parallels in three. VirtualBox was mentioned before Parallels in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
VirtualBox, about 9 searches for every 1 for Parallels
Who does AI mention more?
VirtualBox, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
VirtualBox, named ahead of Parallels in 4 of 5 answers
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Top virtual machine software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, VirtualBox appeared in all five answers. Parallels was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. VirtualBox was listed before Parallels in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- VirtualBox1st
VMware2nd
Parallels3rd
Hyper-V4th
QEMU5th- Proxmox VE6th
- UTM7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- VirtualBox5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- VMware5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hyper-V4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- QEMU4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Parallels3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Proxmox VE3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- UTM3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about virtual machine software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which virtual machine software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best virtual machine software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best virtual machine software for running test systems?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“virtual machine software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“linux vm software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Parallels or VirtualBox more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Parallels and VirtualBox by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven virtual machine software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for VirtualBox, Parallels. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | VirtualBox | VMware | Parallels | Hyper-V | QEMU | Proxmox VE | UTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.5% | 28.9% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 1% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.3% | 28.8% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 0.94% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.3% | 32.3% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 0.97% |
| Jan 2026 | 47.6% | 31.8% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.4% | 28.1% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.3% | 27.5% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.6% | 28.2% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 50.8% | 27.8% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 50.8% | 27.8% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.2% | 28% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.5% | 27.6% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.6% | 28.7% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.1% |
How has the Parallels and VirtualBox comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- VirtualBox was ahead of Parallels in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Parallels’ share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide held steady at 5.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 90.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, VirtualBox’s share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide moved from 52.5% to 52.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1M to 823K.
How did search popularity change for virtual machine software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, VirtualBox gained share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide, from 50.5% to 52.6%.
In September 2026, Parallels lost share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide, from 6.8% to 5.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Parallels’ and VirtualBox’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Parallels
1 branded search term
- parallels desktop
VirtualBox
1 branded search term
- virtualbox
Other head-to-heads among virtual machine software
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