Introduction
VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro stand as powerful virtualization applications, enriching the computing experience for users on their desktops or laptops. VMware Workstation Player offers a cost-free option for virtualization, while VMware Workstation Pro requires a license, catering to more advanced and professional needs. Both applications operate seamlessly atop Windows or Linux host Operating Systems, delivering unparalleled performance and versatility.
VMware Workstation Player serves as a user-friendly and non-commercial virtualization tool, providing a convenient platform for individuals to explore and experiment with virtual machines. On the other hand, VMware Workstation Pro excels as a feature-rich and sophisticated solution, designed for professionals and businesses to create, manage, and optimize virtual environments with precision and efficiency.
The hardware and Host Operating Systems requirements for these two virtualization applications are the same.
System Requirements to install Workstation Player / Workstation Pro:
Minimum:
- CPU: 1GHz 64-bit processor
- Memory: 2Gb RAM
Recommended:
- CPU: 2GHz 64-bit processor
- Memory: 4Gb RAM
Disk space:
- For Workstation Player: 150Mb
- For Workstation Pro: 1,2Gb
Note: Additional CPU, Memory and Hard Disk Space are required for each virtual machine.
Refer to the following links for more information on the hardware and Host Operating Systems requirements:
- Processor Requirements for Host Systems
- Host System Requirements for Workstation Pro
- Host System Requirements for Workstation Player
Note: VMware Workstation Player doesn’t run in the following CPUs:
- Intel Atom processors based on the 2011 “Bonnell” micro-architecture (e.g. Atom Z670/Z650; Atom N570)
- Systems using Intel Atom processors based on the 2012 “Saltwell” micro-architecture (e.g. Atom S1200, Atom D2700/D2500, Atom N2800/N2600)
- Systems using AMD processors based on the “Llano” and “Bobcat” micro-architectures (e.g. code-named “Hondo”, “Ontario”, “Zacate”, “Llano”)
Both Workstation Player and Pro can be installed on most Windows and Linux Operating Systems. It runs on standard x86-based hardware with 64-bit Intel and AMD processors, and on 64-bit Windows or Linux host operating systems.
The following Host Linux Operation Systems (64-bit):
- Ubuntu 15.04 and above
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 & above
- CentOS 7.0 and above
- Oracle Linux 7.0 and above
- openSUSE Leap 42.2 and above
- SUSE Linux 13 and above
- Windows 8 & above
- Windows Server 2012 & above
Note: Workstation 15 Pro requires a 64-bit operating system on the host PC.
Some of the 200 Operating Systems that are supported as Guest Operation Systems:
Windows 10, Windows 8.X, Windows 7, Windows XP, Ubuntu, Red Hat, SUSE, Oracle Linux, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Mint, CentOS.
For a complete list of supported host and guest operating systems, visit the VMware Compatibility Guide.
What is VMware Workstation Player?
VMware Workstation Player (formerly known as Player Pro) is a free desktop application from VMware. Workstation Player is a much simpler virtualization application that allows you to easily and quickly create and run virtual machines using a user interface that is designed to be as simple as possible.
Workstation Player is a free application and a non-advanced virtualization application. The licensed version enables Workstation Player to run VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro Virtual Machines. Non-licensed Workstation Player cannot run multiple VMs at once.
The latest version for VMware Player is v16.1.2. You can download the latest VMware Workstation Player for free from the VMware site.
New Operating Systems that were added in the latest Workstation Player update:
Support has been added for the following host operating systems.
- Windows 10, version 1809
- Windows Server 2019
Support has been added for the following guest operating systems.
- Windows 10, version 1809
- Windows Server, version 1809
- Windows Server 2019
VMware Workstation Player cannot co-install with other VMware Products. If in the same Host Operating System is detected a VMware Workstation Pro or VMware Server, an error is displayed and installation will be aborted.
Note: Students and faculty of accredited educational institutions can use VMware Workstation Player for free if they are members of the VMware Academic Program.
Commercial organizations require commercial licenses to use Workstation Player.
Latest Update
The latest release is VMware workstation player released on Sep 14, 2020.
- Ability to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single host machine
- Support for a wide range of guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and even macOS
- Easy setup and configuration of virtual machines with a user-friendly interface.
- Snapshot feature for capturing and reverting to multiple virtual machine states
- Cloning and customization of virtual machines for quick deployment
- Seamless integration with VMware vSphere for remote virtual machine management
- Shared virtual machines for collaboration and testing
- USB device support for connecting and using USB devices within virtual machines
- 3D graphics support for running graphics-intensive applications in virtual machines
- Bridged networking for direct access to the physical network from virtual machines
- Support for REST API for automation and integration with third-party tools
What is VMware Workstation Pro?
VMware Workstation Pro is a Hypervisor Application with much more advanced features, where users can create Virtual Machines, create Virtual Networks, create Snapshots, Clone Virtual Machines and share VMs.
VMware Workstation Pro has much more advanced Virtual Machine settings and is designed for technical professionals such as systems engineers and IT administrators, etc.
Since Workstation Pro is a Hypervisor, we can connect to a vSphere/ESXi Server and remote vSphere Host Power Control.
As a Workstation Server, Workstation Pro can Share Virtual Machines.
Workstation Pro run restricted VMs that are encrypted and password-protected to ensure only authorized users can interact with corporate data.
Workstation Pro runs restricted VMs that are encrypted and password-protected to ensure only authorized users can interact with corporate data. Workstation Player license is included, if you acquire a VMware Workstation Pro license
The latest version isVMware workstation 17.0 Pro. You can download the latest VMware Workstation Pro from the VMware site.
Latest update
VMware workstation 17.0 Pro got released on Nov 17, 2022.
- Support for new guest operating systems, including Microsoft Windows 11 (including Enterprise), Windows Server 2022, Ubuntu 22.04, RHEL 9, and Debian 11.x
- New auto-start virtual machine feature, allowing virtual machines to automatically start when Workstation Pro is launched
- New virtual Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, providing enhanced security features for virtual machines
- New full or fast encryption features for improved data protection
- Support for OpenGL 4.3 and WDDM 1.2, enhancing graphics performance and compatibility
- Bug fixes to address known issues and improve overall stability and performance
In the next table, we can check all the features and differences between Workstation Player and Workstation Pro. As we can notice, most of the advanced features are only available in Workstation Pro.
| Workstation Player | Workstation Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Create New VMs | Yes | Yes |
| Create Large VMs (16CPU, 64GB RAM, 3GB VRAM) | Yes | Yes |
| Over 200 Supported Guest OSs | Yes | Yes |
| Mass Deployment | Yes | Yes |
| Host/Guest Integration | ||
| Host/Guest File Sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Run VMs with Different View Modes | Yes | Yes |
| 3D Graphics with DX10.1 and OpenGL 3.3 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Drag-able Tabbed Interface | Yes | |
| One-Click SSH to Linux VM | Yes | |
| Device Support | ||
| 4K Display Support | Yes | Yes |
| Support a Wide Range of Virtual Devices | Yes | Yes |
| USB Smart Card Reader Support | Yes | Yes |
| USB 3.0 Device Support | Yes | Yes |
| Works with Assistive Devices (Section 508 Compliant) | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language Keyboard Support | Yes | Yes |
| Security Features | ||
| Microsoft Virtualization Based Security (Guest) Support | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) | Yes | Yes |
| UEFI Boot Support | Yes | Yes |
| UEFI Secure Boot Support | Yes | Yes |
| Create/Manage Encrypted VM | Yes | |
| Virtual Network Rename | Yes | |
| Advanced Features | ||
| Run Managed/Restricted Desktop | Yes | Yes |
| REST API Control | Yes | Yes |
| vCenter Server Appliance Effortless Deploy | Yes | Yes |
| Command Line Operation: vmrun | Yes | Yes |
| Snapshots | Yes | |
| Run Multiple VMs at Once | Yes | |
| Run Encrypted VM | Yes | |
| Virtual Network Customization | Yes | |
| Virtual Network Simulation (packet loss, latency) | Yes | |
| Share Virtual Machine (Workstation Server) | Yes | |
| Connect to vSphere/ESXi Server | Yes | |
| Remote vSphere Host Power Control | Yes | |
Conclusion
Decide on which application to use for your virtualization work, it all depends on what type of work and Virtual Machines you want to create and its purpose. Depending on those needs, select the best tool that fits your requirements. Always keep in mind, you can use VMware Workstation player with a free license (free for personal & non-commercial use. Business and non-profit use is considered commercial use) and the other requires a commercial license.
As we showed in this article, Workstation Player is more for basic virtualization tasks, and Workstation Pro is more for advanced and expert virtualization work with some more powerful features.
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