Just because Parallels got an early start on Microsoft "recognition" doesn't mean that Windows 11 ARM doesn't work well on Fusion. Windows 11 ARM works fine on Fusion 13 with Apple Silicon. If you use the information and tools noted n the unofficial Companion guide, it's pretty easy to install.
There are three exceptions where Parallels is ahead of VMware, two of which are likely to be non-issues in a relatively short timeline.
- From what we hear, VMware is working on the same "approval" from Microsoft that Parallels has. This is likely to be a non-issue in the near future.
- Fusion doesn't have a full implementation of VMware Tools so things such as copy/paste/drag/drop and shared folders aren't there yet. The shared folders can be worked around fairly easily. These too are expected to be a non-issue in the near future.
- Parallels also claims macOS virtualization that Fusion doesn't. A Parallels macOS virtual machine on Apple Silicon doesn't have the same functionality as their Windows or Linux virtual machines - that's because they've just put a coat of paint on Apple's Virtualization Framework sample code. And oh, by the way, you can pay zero, nada, zilch, bupkis $0 for Virtual Buddy or UTM and get the same functionality for macOS virtualization that you'd have to pay Parallels for.
The price point is even better if you are using Fusion for non-commercial purposes. Free for Fusion, Free for UTM. You can look up what you'd pay Parallels for for the same features. Per year. It's a lot more than $0.
- Paul (Technogeezer)
Editor of the Unofficial Fusion Companion Guides
