[mxvanzant]

I run Linux on my HP laptop. I don't use any proprietary software. So, for myself, I don't see this buy vs. subscribe dichotomy.

By the way, I'm using Linux Mint + MATE and everything works pretty well.

Unfortunately, my work supplied computer is a pretty locked down Windows with a limited corporate approved software selection. Luckily, this selection includes VirtualBox! ;)

So, with VB, I'm able to do all my dev work in a Linux VM (I run both Mint and Alpine..)

You may want to consider trying some Free / Open Source software alternatives to your current setup if you are tired of subscriptions..