VMware Workstation
Broadcom's desktop hypervisor for running Windows, Linux and other VMs on Windows and Linux PCs.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About VMware Workstation
VMware Workstation is a desktop hypervisor for Windows and Linux PCs that runs other operating systems as virtual machines alongside the host. Developers, IT staff and security testers use it to build test labs, try new OS releases and keep isolated environments, with features such as snapshots, cloning, virtual networking, encrypted VMs and connections to remote ESXi servers. Since Broadcom bought VMware, Workstation Pro has been free for personal, educational and commercial use; the paid edition is no longer sold, and free users get community forums and documentation rather than support tickets. Downloads come through the Broadcom Support Portal, which needs an account. Releases now use calendar version numbers, and the Windows build became a 64-bit application in 2026. There is no Mac version under this name: VMware Fusion covers macOS. Compared with VirtualBox it is closed source, but it fits naturally into VMware's server ecosystem.
Best for: Windows and Linux users who want a polished, free hypervisor compatible with VMware ESXi.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free for commercial, educational and personal use
- Mature feature set: snapshots, clones, virtual networks, encrypted VMs
- Can connect to and manage VMs on remote ESXi servers
- Regular releases with new guest and host OS support
Why people leave
- Closed source, unlike VirtualBox or QEMU
- Downloads require a Broadcom Support Portal account
- Free users get no support tickets, only docs and forums
- No macOS version; Mac users need VMware Fusion instead
Top VMware Workstation alternatives
See all 6- 1
VirtualBox68.8Free and open source, runs on Windows, Linux and Mac, with a similar VM manager GUI.
- 2
virt-manager64.8Open-source KVM manager for Linux hosts with near-native VM performance.
- 3
QEMU59.6Open-source emulator and virtualizer that can also emulate other CPU architectures.
- 4
GNOME Boxes59.4Simpler free VM app for Linux desktops when you just need a quick guest OS.
- 5
Parallels Desktop57.5The polished commercial choice if you move your VMs to a Mac.
Why people left VMware Workstation
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VMware Workstation: common questions
Is VMware Workstation free?
Yes, VMware Workstation is free to use.
Is VMware Workstation open source?
No, VMware Workstation is not open source. Open-source alternatives include VirtualBox, virt-manager and GNOME Boxes.
What platforms does VMware Workstation run on?
VMware Workstation is available for Windows and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to VMware Workstation?
The highest-ranked VMware Workstation alternatives right now are VirtualBox, virt-manager and QEMU. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.