--- title: VMware Workstation Pro canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/vmware-workstation-pro/ category: Virtual Machine Software points: 79 rank: 2 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # VMware Workstation Pro Desktop hypervisor for Windows and Linux hosts, free for commercial and personal use since version 17.5.2. 79 points out of 100. #2 of 12 virtual machine programs. Vendor: Broadcom. Website: https://www.vmware.com/products/desktop-hypervisor/workstation-and-fusion - Workstation Pro is free for commercial, educational and personal use from version 17.5.2, with no licence key [1][2]. - It installs on Windows and Linux hosts [4]. - Guests can be Windows, Linux and other common systems [5]. - NAT, bridged and host-only networking are documented [7]. - Release notes for version 25H2u1, dated 2026-02-26, name Broadcom advisory VMSA-2026-0002 [12]. Verdict: VMware Workstation Pro is free for commercial, educational and personal use from version 17.5.2, which removes the price question [1][2]. It runs on Windows 10 and 11 and Linux hosts and documents snapshots, shared folders, USB devices and three network modes [4][6][7][11][13]. The catch: free users get community support only, and there is no macOS host version [4][10]. Best for: Windows users who want a free hypervisor with snapshots and shared folders. Status: Broadcom announced on November 11, 2024 that Workstation Pro is free for commercial, educational and personal use [1]. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Guest systems | Windows, Linux | 8/8 | Documentation says a guest can be Windows, Linux and other commonly used systems [5]. | | Systems | Also runs on other hosts | Linux | 2/4 | Workstation Pro installs on Windows and Linux hosts. Fusion Pro, the Mac product, is a separate product [1][4]. | | Systems | Works on Windows Home | Yes | 5/5 | Vendor host list shows Windows 10 and Windows 11 as supported, with no edition limit; Windows 10 needs 20H1 or later [11]. | | Virtual machines | Snapshots | Yes | 8/8 | Documentation has a topic on taking snapshots, which save a virtual machine's current state [6]. | | Virtual machines | Virtual TPM and Secure Boot | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's pages [8]. | | Virtual machines | Network modes | NAT, Bridged, Host-only | 6/6 | Documentation describes bridged networking, a NAT network (VMnet8) and host-only networking [7]. | | Virtual machines | Nested virtualization | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages [3]. | | Virtual machines | Starts from a ready-made image | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages [3]. | | Devices | 3D graphics for guests | Yes | 8/8 | Display settings include an Accelerate 3D graphics option for Windows XP or later guests [14]; a guest OpenGL 4.3 driver is documented [9]. | | Devices | USB devices in the guest | Yes | 6/6 | Documentation says to plug a host USB device in and connect it to the virtual machine, or use Removable Devices > Connect [13]. | | Devices | Shared folders | Yes | 6/6 | Documentation lists shared folders among ways to transfer files between host and guest [6]. | | Devices | Shared clipboard | Yes | 4/4 | Documentation lists a copy and paste feature among ways to transfer text between host and guest [6]. | | Openness and upkeep | Open source | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's pages [3]. | | Openness and upkeep | Security advisories published | Yes | 4/4 | Release notes name Broadcom advisories VMSA-2026-0002 (25H2u1) and VMSA-2025-0013 (17.6.4) [2][12]. | | Openness and upkeep | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 4/4 | Version 25H2u1 release notes are dated 26 February 2026 [12]. | | Price | Free edition | Yes | 6/6 | Free for commercial, educational and personal use from version 17.5.2, with no licence key [1][2]. | | Price | Cheapest licence for work use | $0 | 12/12 | Free for commercial use, so $0 a year [1][2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Workstation Pro | Free [1][2] | $0 | Versions before 17.5.2 without a valid licence show a Not Entitled error [1]. ## Strengths - Free for commercial, educational and personal use from version 17.5.2 [1][2]. - Runs on Windows and Linux hosts [4]. - Documents snapshots, shared folders, copy and paste between host and guest, and attaching host USB devices [6][13]. - Release notes for version 25H2u1 (2026-02-26) name Broadcom advisory VMSA-2026-0002 for four fixed CVEs [12]. - NAT, bridged and host-only networking are all described [7]. ## Limits - Downloading needs a Broadcom Support Portal account [1]. - Free users are not entitled to support from Broadcom's global support team; community forums only [10]. - Hosts are Windows and Linux only; Fusion Pro, the Mac product, is separate [1][4]. - Release notes for version 17.6.4 list a known issue: the Windows 11 installer may keep asking for a network connection under NAT [2]. ## Sources 1. [Broadcom Knowledge Base 368667: free Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro](https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/368667), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [VMware Workstation 17.6.4 Pro release notes](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/release-notes/vmware-workstation-1764-pro-release-notes.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [VMware Workstation Pro 17.0 documentation](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Supported Host Operating Systems](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/introduction-and-system-requirements/host-system-requirements-for-workstation-pro/supported-host-operating-systems.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 5. [Supported Guest Operating Systems](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/introduction-and-system-requirements/virtual-machine-requirements/supported-guest-operating-systems.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 6. [Using Virtual Machines in Workstation Pro](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/using-virtual-machines-in-workstation-pro-user-guide.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 7. [Configuring Network Connections](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/configuring-network-connections.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 8. [Configuring and Managing Virtual Machines](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/configuring-and-managing-virtual-machines.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 9. [Virtual Machine Graphics and Keyboard Support](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/introduction-and-system-requirements/virtual-machine-requirements/virtual-machine-graphics-and-keyboard-support.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 10. [VMware Workstation Pro now available free for personal use](https://blogs.vmware.com/workstation/2024/05/vmware-workstation-pro-now-available-free-for-personal-use.html), VMware blog, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Supported host operating systems for Workstation Player and Workstation Pro 16.x, 17.x, 25H2, 26H1](https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?legacyId=80807), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 12. [VMware Workstation Pro 25H2u1 release notes](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/25H2/release-notes/vmware-workstation-pro-25h2u1-release-notes.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 13. [Connecting USB Devices to Virtual Machines](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/using-virtual-machines-in-workstation-pro-user-guide/using-removable-devices-in-virtual-machines/connecting-usb-devices-to-virtual-machines.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09 14. [Configuring Display Settings](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/workstation-pro/17-0/using-vmware-workstation-pro/configuring-virtual-machine-hardware-settings/configuring-display-settings.html), Broadcom, accessed 2026-10-09