VMWare fusion vs UTM

Question

VMWare fusion vs UTM

I'm using UTM for quite a few months as I use arm linux images only. But lately with my increased vm usage, I felt like UTM graphics quality is slightly not right. I tried increasing resolution too but that resulted in inappropriate fitting of the vm screen to the UTM window. Maybe it has something to do with fractional scaling that I'm using on my Mac host.

So, I thought of trying VMWare fusion, but while downloading it I noticed that its size is around 3x that of UTM. While trying to install it, it started asking for admin privilege. This made me think as UTM never needed admin privilege. I chose not to install it for the time-being as I didn't find any appropriate answers to my doubts.

So I would like to ask people who have used fusion whether my resolution/graphics quality problem will be fixed in VMWare fusion? And also a decent overview of perks of using VMWare fusion is appreciated. Also if any tech geeks know the reason behind the need for admin privilege feel free to share. I would like to know if it can lead to security issues for Mac or not.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Oct 29, 2023 1:40 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,230 points

Oct 29, 2023 4:24 AM in response to apple-user-10

VMware Fusion, like other commercial VMs, will install its driver(s) in your /Library location and for that, it needs your administrator password. On the next reboot, that installed driver will be active. Fusion is much larger than UTM as it provides considerably more compatibility and features as one would expect in a refined commercial product. UTM is a toy compared to commercial VMs.

VMware Fusion is free for personal usage, and you need to go through VMware's website screening to convince them of this. Almost certainly that will get you uninvited emails as a price for free.

I happen to use Parallel's Desktop Pro 19.1 on my Intel iMac and not VMware. I keep the VM guests installed on a external Crucial X8 (1050 MB/s) SSD and connected by a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cable to my TB3 port. Crucial now has an X10 Pro model that features 2000 MB/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 performance. I am considering the free VMware fusion for my M2 Mac mini Pro as that is my primary desktop and one subscription to Parallels is enough.

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Answer 2

Nov 1, 2023 9:17 AM in response to VikingOSX

Yeah I'm already using it actually there is only 1 issue I encountered which is graphics quality doesn't feel like full HD (most probably because I am using a lower resolution, which if increased creates window size problem). Honestly, speaking I never felt UTM like an unfinished product. I used virtual box in windows laptop earlier and still UTM still provides me with enough I need (except the Mac keybinding issue which idk if available in VMWare or not either).

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

135,815 points

Nov 1, 2023 9:23 AM in response to apple-user-10

Since VMWare Fusion is free to try/use, why not try it yourself and see?

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Answer 4

Nov 1, 2023 7:15 AM in response to VikingOSX

VikingOSX wrote:

Fusion is much larger than UTM as it provides considerably more compatibility and features as one would expect in a refined commercial product. UTM is a toy compared to commercial VMs.

I guess that also means that it'll consume more memory and cpu as well while running? And can I conclude that I can stick with UTM if almost my needs are being fulfilled by it.

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Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,230 points

Nov 1, 2023 7:34 AM in response to apple-user-10

I guess that also means that it'll consume more memory and cpu as well while running? And can I conclude that I can stick with UTM if almost my needs are being fulfilled by it.

I suggest that you install UTM and try to live with it. If it aggravates you, then install VMware Fusion. I have no experience with either, but would prefer a product that has been developed for years as a commercial solution to the unfinished (and likely unpolished) UTM solution.

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Answer 6

Nov 1, 2023 9:25 AM in response to apple-user-10

apple-user-10 wrote:

Good to know, may I also know what benefits would I get from VMWare that are not available in UTM?

Here is a comparison of UTM v VM. I have not used UTM so can not speak from experience:

https://www.macobserver.com/tips/deep-dive/parallels-vs-utm-which-runs-windows-better-on-m1m2-macs/

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Answer 7

Nov 1, 2023 9:55 AM in response to apple-user-10

apple-user-10 wrote:

This is Parallels not VMWare

Does not matter. It is a Virtual Machine (VM). Search for a specific VMWare/UTM comparison if it makes a difference. Compatible WMs work the same regardless.

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

135,815 points

Nov 1, 2023 7:37 AM in response to apple-user-10

FWIW, the memory and CPU use of VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop is minimal compared to the guest VM.

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Answer 9

Nov 1, 2023 8:48 AM in response to dialabrain

Good to know, may I also know what benefits would I get from VMWare that are not available in UTM?

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Answer 10

dialabrain

Level 10

135,815 points

Nov 1, 2023 8:51 AM in response to apple-user-10

I couldn't say. I've never used UTM.

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Answer 11

Nov 1, 2023 9:31 AM in response to dialabrain

I just thought it may not be safe after seeing admin privilege requirement, now I understand why it's required and no longer have doubt so I can give it a shot.

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