VMware Workstation Pro
Ranked in IT Automation Software ·Free plan
About
VMware Workstation Pro runs virtual machines, containers, and Kubernetes clusters locally on Windows or Linux hosts for development, testing, and learning. Hardware-assisted virtualization lets it run multiple operating systems on one physical machine, assigning each VM virtual CPU, memory, and storage. Users can configure networking, save VM snapshots, and restore them as rollback points. VM security options include encryption, virtual TPM, and UEFI Secure Boot. Workstation can connect to remote vSphere or ESX servers to manage VMs and physical hosts, and migrate local VMs to a private cloud. VMware describes the desktop hypervisor tools as intended for developers, IT professionals, students, and enthusiasts. Workstation Pro is available at no charge for personal, educational, and commercial use, with no subscription or license key required. The 26H1 Windows release is a 64-bit application and adds remote connectivity to ARM-based ESXi servers. Free product users are not entitled to Broadcom Global Support Team support and are directed to community forums and self-service resources.
Who it is for
Workstation Pro suits developers, IT professionals, students, and enthusiasts running virtualized environments on Windows or Linux hosts. It can also connect to remote vSphere or ESX servers.
What is good
- No charge for personal, educational, and commercial use.
- Runs on Windows and Linux hosts.
- Supports VM snapshots and rollback.
- Includes encryption, virtual TPM, and UEFI Secure Boot.
- Can connect to remote vSphere or ESX servers.
What to know first
- Free users do not receive Broadcom Global Support Team support.
- 26H1 is available through the Broadcom Support Portal.
Verdict
Workstation Pro provides local virtualization and remote vSphere or ESX connectivity without a subscription or license key. Users who need vendor support should note that free product users are directed to forums and self-service resources.
Compared on IT automation software
- Deployment model
- hybridvmware.com
Facts
- Free plan
- Yesvmware.com · 20 Sept 2026
- Host platforms
- Windows, Linuxvmware.com · 20 Sept 2026
- Guest architecture
- x86_64vmware.com · 20 Sept 2026
- VM snapshots
- Yesvmware.com · 20 Sept 2026
- Nested virtualization
- Yesvmware.com · 20 Sept 2026
- GPU acceleration
- Yesvmware.com · 20 Sept 2026
- Management interface
- desktopvmware.com · 20 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Workstation lets users run virtual machines, containers, and Kubernetes clusters locally for development, testing, and learning.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- VMware describes the desktop hypervisor tools as intended for developers, IT professionals, students, and enthusiasts.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Licensing
- Workstation Pro is available at no charge for personal, educational, and commercial use, with no subscription or license key required.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Virtualization
- The product uses hardware-assisted virtualization to run multiple operating systems on one physical machine, with each VM receiving virtual CPU, memory, and storage.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Networking
- Workstation supports advanced networking and custom VM configurations.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Snapshots
- Users can create VM snapshots and restore them later as rollback points.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Security features
- The product supports encryption, virtual TPM, and UEFI Secure Boot for virtual machines.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- vSphere integration
- Workstation can connect to remote vSphere or ESX servers to manage VMs and physical hosts and migrate local VMs to a private cloud.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Latest release
- Workstation Pro 26H1 for Windows is a 64-bit application and adds remote connectivity to ARM-based ESXi servers.blogs.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Downloads
- The 26H1 release is available through the Broadcom Support Portal.blogs.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- Free product users are not entitled to Broadcom Global Support Team support; VMware directs them to community forums and self-service resources.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Updates
- Broadcom says it will continue releasing product updates and security patches.vmware.com · 29 Sept 2026
Company
- Founded
- 1998vmware.com · 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Palo Alto, California, United Statesvmware.com · 28 Sept 2026
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Where it ranks on Inferse
- Best IT Automation Software in 2026#27 of 70
- Best Cloud Management Software in 2026#18 of 33
- Best Virtualization Management Software in 2026#10 of 33
- Best Key-Value Databases in 2026#14 of 32
- Best Platform Engineering Software in 2026#22 of 30
- Best Software-Defined Storage Software in 2026#16 of 29
- Best Microsegmentation Software in 2026#10 of 28
- Best Container Networking Software in 2026#7 of 26
- Best Load Balancing Software in 2026#11 of 26
- Best Virtual Machine Software in 2026#3 of 26
Sources
- vmware.com/products/desktop-hypervisor/workstation· checked 20 Sept 2026
- vmware.com/docs/desktop-hypervisor-faqs· checked 29 Sept 2026
- blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2026/05/14/announcing-· checked 29 Sept 2026
- vmware.com/products/cloud-infrastructure/vmware-cl· checked 28 Sept 2026