VMware Workstation Pro

Overview

VMware Workstation Pro is a type-2 desktop hypervisor that lets a single Windows or Linux machine run multiple virtual machines side by side, each with its own operating system, virtual disks, and virtual network adapters. Originally released in 1999, it was one of the first widely used x86 virtualization products and was sold as commercial software for most of its history under VMware, Inc., and later under Broadcom following Broadcom’s 2023 acquisition of VMware.

In November 2024, Broadcom changed the licensing of VMware Workstation Pro (and its macOS counterpart, VMware Fusion Pro) to be free for commercial, educational, and personal use, ending the product’s paid-license requirement. The application itself remains closed source and proprietary; only the pricing model changed. Workstation Pro runs as a host application on Windows and Linux, while Fusion Pro is the separate build for macOS hosts.

Key Features

• Snapshots and cloning — Save a VM’s exact state and roll back instantly, or clone a VM for testing without touching the original
• 3D graphics acceleration — Hardware-accelerated DirectX and OpenGL support for guest operating systems, including some GPU passthrough scenarios
• Virtual networking — Configurable NAT, bridged, and host-only virtual networks for isolating or connecting guest VMs
• USB and device passthrough — Attach USB devices, webcams, and other peripherals directly to a running VM
• Cross-platform VM compatibility — VMs are largely compatible with VMware’s server products (ESXi, vSphere) and Fusion Pro
• Encrypted virtual machines — Optional VM-level encryption for protecting virtual disks at rest

Use Cases

• Software development and testing — Run multiple OS/browser/dependency combinations without dedicated hardware
• Legacy application support — Keep an old Windows or Linux environment running inside a VM on modern hardware
• Security research and sandboxing — Isolate untrusted software or malware analysis inside disposable VMs
• Training and lab environments — Spin up disposable, resettable environments for classes or certification labs

Who It’s For

VMware Workstation Pro suits developers, IT administrators, and students who need a mature, GUI-driven type-2 hypervisor on Windows or Linux and don’t require the source code to be open or auditable. Anyone who wants a free, self-hostable, source-available alternative — or who needs to run VMs on Linux without a proprietary dependency — may prefer VirtualBox or QEMU/KVM instead.