VMware Workstation Reviews

Name: VMware Workstation
Brand: VMware
Rating: 4.4 (54 reviews)

Vendor: VMware

4.4 out of 5

54 reviews
93% willing to recommend

3,954 followers

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What is VMware Workstation?

VMware Workstation is part of a suite of robust Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) tools or Desktop Hypervisors that allows users to run Kubernetes clusters, containers, and Virtual Machines (VMs). Users have the option to choose between VMware Workstation Pro or VMware Workstation Player to ensure that they get the most out of their VMware Workstation experience.

Get the VMware Workstation Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about VMware Workstation, Proxmox VE, VMware vSphere and more!

VMware Workstation is the #2 ranked solution in top Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions. PeerSpot users give VMware Workstation an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. VMware Workstation is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: VMware Workstation vs Proxmox VE. VMware Workstation is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 56% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

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Featured reviews

Shambhu Narayan Singh

IT Manager at Axis Securities Limited

Currently, we are creating storage, and we are using multiple machines. We use the solution for production purposes, and we are creating Linux and Windows machines VMware has included graphical uses and many features in VMware Workstation. VMware Workstation is easy to manage and understand. It…

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Kyle Clifton

VMware Administrator at DSR

We use VMware Player mostly to connect the server hosting the client. I use the solution more like a manager The most valuable feature of VMware Player is the ability to snapshot with or without memory. When you go to work on a server, it opens up the whole window, and that causes an error…

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Phanindar Ada

Technical Architect at YASH Technologies

The tool's performance is really good, so I can rate it a ten out of ten. The product did meet my expectations by allowing me to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it. The product is stable, very easy to deploy, easy to use, easy to configure, and easy to set up. I took care of the integration part of VMware Workstation with vSphere. I describe the product's documentation as a good area. My company gets complaints about technical notes from VMware. My company does face limitations with the product, and it is based on the licenses that we have purchased from VMware. I rate the overall product a ten out of ten.

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VMware Workstation mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of VMware Workstation in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category stands at 16.9%, up from 14.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 5, 2024

Valuable Features

VMware Workstation enhances productivity by allowing multiple operating systems on a single device. Users appreciate its ease of use, drag-and-drop functionality, and ability to run multiple virtual machines simultaneously. It offers features like snapshots, network virtualization, and hardware sharing, making it ideal for testing environments. Its portability and integration with various tools are highly valued. VMware excels in user-friendliness, stability, and third-party support. Users find its virtualization technology robust, providing flexibility and efficient resource allocation.

"Having ten people working off a single piece of hardware reduces costs."
"VMware is incredible and is designed for simple use. They help with efficiency."
"The product is stable, very easy to deploy, easy to use, easy to configure, and easy to set up."

Room for Improvement

VMware Workstation needs improvements in performance, stability, and resource management. Users mention issues with high memory usage, lacking features like snapshots and built-in virtual routers, and limited OS compatibility. The pricing is considered expensive, and the interface and documentation require enhancements. Mac OS support is unavailable, and Linux client features lag behind Windows. Users express a desire for better integration, scalability, and automatic updates, along with detailed reporting and improved customer support.

"One improvement is mouse emulation. Some people in the office want to use a five—or seven-button mouse like they're used to at home, but they can't with the workstation setup."
"The tool can improve network storage technology."
"The product's integration capabilities are an area with certain shortcomings where improvements are required."

ROI

Users express that VMware Workstation offers significant financial benefits, often paying for itself numerous times by reducing hardware costs. They highlight its effectiveness in leveraging older systems and providing a lower-cost alternative to hardware. VMware Workstation is considered valuable for enhancing work efficiency and facilitating testing environments before production, thus leading to a strong return on investment. Users attest to its cost-effectiveness and long-term financial advantages.

Pricing

VMware Workstation pricing is viewed as high compared to competitors, but its robust features and compatibility with existing IT infrastructures are appreciated. Costs vary based on licensing models and usage needs. Some find it moderately priced, balancing cost with performance benefits. Licensing can be yearly or perpetual, with requirements affecting costs. While some use free versions for non-commercial uses, others budget for licenses to leverage full capabilities. Overall, pricing sentiments range from reasonable to expensive.

"VMware Workstation's costs are lifetime."
"I would rate the pricing an eight out of ten, with ten being expensive."
"The product is expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize VMware Workstation for testing and development environments. They frequently create virtual machines to test applications, systems, and compatibility before production deployment. It assists in virtualizing older systems, testing various operating systems, and setting up labs for quick sandbox environments. VMware Workstation is deployed for virtualization, server management, and running multiple operating systems, catering to sectors such as banking, education, and cybersecurity, facilitating secure, isolated testing and production use cases.

Service and Support

VMware Workstation support generally lacks regular assistance unless multiple licenses are purchased. Smaller organizations express frustration with this requirement. Some find technical support responsive and effective, rating it highly. Others note delayed responses due to staffing changes. Many users prefer utilizing the community or other online resources. A number prefer local or provider support, not directly engaging with VMware. Feedback indicates variable satisfaction depending on individual interactions and specific needs.

Deployment

VMware Workstation's initial setup is generally straightforward and easy. Users find it quick to deploy, typically taking 15 to 30 minutes, though some report longer times based on system complexity. Experienced users note that setup involves enabling virtualization in BIOS, configuring network settings, and ensuring compatibility with hardware. For detailed configurations, especially in larger environments, additional tweaking may be needed. Users appreciate its simplicity but acknowledge potential challenges with the second configuration phase.

Scalability

VMware Workstation is often noted for its scalability, accommodating varying user needs across different companies. Many users report it supports multiple virtual machines efficiently, while others see limitations due to hardware constraints. Resource allocation is straightforward, and some organizations report use by over 100 users. However, some express concerns about scalability limitations. Reports of rating its scalability vary widely, suggesting differences in individual user experiences with scaling the platform for broader organizational use.

Stability

Users report VMware Workstation as highly stable, rating it between eight to ten out of ten. Many mention its reliability without crashes, glitches, or freezing. Some face challenges with virtual networks and transferring VMs, though memory and hardware can influence performance. Most experiences are positive, highlighting strong performance and scalability. A few noticed occasional bugs, especially with older versions, but newer environments with increased RAM tend to perform flawlessly. Stability varies according to licensing.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our VMware Workstation Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Manufacturing Company

Government

University

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Transportation Company

Outsourcing Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Performing Arts

Pharma/Biotech Company

Logistics Company

Compare VMware Workstation with alternative products

Learn more about VMware Workstation

Workstation Player is best used as a command line or single graphical operation. It works very well for running different operating systems using a secure cloistered sandbox on a general consumer PC. Workstation Player is an industry favorite for use in an educational environment to better expand the knowledge concerning computer systems and global information technology. Workstation Pro is created for astute IT developers and professionals. The solution provides an intuitive next-generation interface and gives users the ability to seamlessly run several virtual machines at the same time. Users can easily create clones, configure virtual networks, connect to vSphere, and more, using a crisp, visually enhanced dashboard that provides full transparency to show multiple VMs and more.

VMware Workstation solutions rely on components in next-generation 64-bit x86 CPUs to develop robust, secure VMs that are able to utilize many different operating systems and all of their applications. VMware Workstation’s modern technology intuitively links the physical hardware devices to the virtual machine's virtual resources enabling each VM to have its own I/O devices, memory, disks, and CPU in addition to the equivalent of a standard x86 actual machine. It easily installs onto the host operating system and is able to offer comprehensive hardware support by utilizing the device support from the original host.

VMware Workstation Benefits

VMware Workstation has many desirable benefits. Some of those benefits include:

Improved overall IT processes.
Better, more efficient deployment outcomes.
Enhanced application performance.
Better server availability.

Less physical hardware and additional devices needed.
Cost-effective.
Decreased outages or downtime.
Faster provisioning of applications and resources.
Reduced power consumption.
Reduced Environmental Impact.

Reviews from Real Users

Walter G., Owner at Secacon Gygli Engineering LLC says, “The most valuable feature of the VMware Workstation is the ease of creating a development environment. When you have different ongoing developments, you often need to create a lot of different development environments. With this workstation solution, you can have a development environment for all the things you develop.”

Toni L., CEO at Virtual Consultants Sverige AB says, “The most valuable features of VMware Workstation are the DirectX support; you can run Microsoft Hyper-V in virtual environments, which is good for me to test different installations. Additionally, you can set up different VLANs, and overall it is a complete solution.”

“Having a user-friendly interfaceis important for me. I'm not a coder, even though I do a little bit of programming. Also, I don't use the command-line interface when I can avoid it. When I do have to use it, I look up what I'm supposed to type and then type it.” A PeerSpot user who is a Chief Technical Officer at a construction company.

are Workstation is part of a suite of robust Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) tools or Desktop Hypervisors that allows users to run Kubernetes clusters, containers, and Virtual Machines (VMs). Users have the option to choose between VMware Workstation Pro or VMware Workstation Player to ensure they get the most out of their VMware Workstation experience.

Workstation Player is best used as a command line or single graphical operation. It works very well for running different operating systems using a secure cloistered sandbox on a general consumer PC. Workstation Player is an industry favorite for use in an educational environment to better expand the knowledge concerning computer systems and global information technology. Workstation Pro is created for astute IT developers and professionals. The solution provides an intuitive next generation interface and gives users the ability to run seamlessly several virtual machines at the same time. Users can easily create clones, configure virtual networks, connect to vSphere, and more using a crisp, visually enhanced dashboard that provides full transparency to show multiple VMs and more.

VMware Workstation solutions rely on components in next-generation 64-bit x86 CPUs to develop robust, secure VMs that are able to utilize many different operating systems and all of their applications. Vmware Workstation’s modern technology intuitively links the physical hardware devices to the virtual machine's virtual resources enabling each VM to have its own I/O devices, memory, disks, and CPU in addition to the equivalent to a standard x86 actual machine.VMware easily installs onto the host operating system and is able to offer comprehensive hardware support by utilizing the device support from the original host.

VMware Workstation Benefits

Vmware Workstation has many desirable benefits. Some of those benefits include:

Improved overall IT processes.
Better, more efficient deployment outcomes.
Enhanced application performance.
Better server availability.

Less physical hardware and additional devices needed.
Cost-effective.
Decreased outages or downtime.
Faster provisioning of applications and resources.
Reduced power consumption.
Reduced Environmental Impact.

Reviews from Real Users

“The most valuable feature of the VMware Workstation is the ease of creating a development environment. When you have different ongoing developments, you often need to create a lot of different development environments. With this workstation solution, you can have a development environment for all the things you develop.” Walter G., Owner at Secacon Gygli Engineering LLC

“The most valuable features of VMware Workstation are the DirectX support; you can run Microsoft Hyper-V in virtual environments, which is good for me to test different installations. Additionally, you can set up different VLANs, and overall it is a complete solution.” Toni L., CEO at Virtual Consultants Sverige AB

A Chief Technical Officer at a construction company says,“Having a user-friendly interfaceis important for me. I'm not a coder, even though I do a little bit of programming. Also, I don't use the command-line interface when I can avoid it. When I do have to use it, I look up what I'm supposed to type and then type it.”