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reviewer941238 - PeerSpot reviewer
Engineering Applications Analyst at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
Excellent for testing and provides insight without having to purchase licenses
Pros and Cons
  • "Because the setup is so easy, this is a solution that can be used at a moment's notice."
  • "Lacks the ability to clone onto another system rather than starting from scratch."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case of VMware Workstation is to test environments, different Windows operating systems and the like, and basically to figure out how the solution would work before we put it into production. I'm an engineering applications analyst. 

How has it helped my organization?

The solution benefits us because it allows us to identify whether we need to spend money on a solution that would involve having to buy a bunch of licenses for software, and running an application or a system for whatever our requirements might be. It allows us to test out that scenario to see if it would be more beneficial for our environment as opposed to buying everything, setting it up and determining whether it is going to work or not. It gives us insight into some of the issues we might run into, and how to better facilitate fixing them.

What is most valuable?

Because the setup is so easy, this is a solution that can be used at a moment's notice. It's simple to set up for a test environment and that's a huge benefit.

What needs improvement?

For our needs, the issue is that there is no way to take an existing system out of the testing environment, clone it with everything that it's currently set up on, and put it into production without having to create a whole new one. It lacks the ability to clone the environment so you have your test environment set up in the way it's going to be used in production. Rather than create a whole other environment, the idea would be to clone that capability onto another system and not have to start over from scratch. You have everything working the way you want it to and you just want to move it over to the production side of things.

Buyer's Guide
VMware Workstation
September 2025
Learn what your peers think about VMware Workstation. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2025.
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For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for about a year. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution handles pretty well. It did seem to function a little bit better than I had expected.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There are no issues with scalability. When we need to make any tweaks by adding more resources, it's pretty straightforward. I'm the only user. In terms of the back end, Microsoft patching needs to be done on a monthly basis based on our processes. The software itself will look to see how often it needs updates. It's pretty straightforward.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I've also used Azure. We made the switch because we had a license for Workstation and I needed to test a particular system. I could plug and play using the VMware Player to take an existing VTK, whatever the file extension is, and plug it in there to look at this VM. Workstation allowed us to test scenarios. We have a lot of older applications that run on older operating systems. Sometimes we have to test the old systems and see how they'll run in a virtual environment as well. 

How was the initial setup?

As long as you have all the information you need in terms of how many processors are require and how much memory, it's not complicated. Implementation was an in-house job. Rather than loading a specific software package on our network, we can use a testing environment to see what to expect from it. We test out of the box in a virtual environment and see where we get with it. The deployment took about a day. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We use VMware for virtual cluster of servers, but I believe we bought Workstation outright once. It's pretty low in cost, so if we need multiple copies, we usually buy a handful. I've actually insisted that we go that route for some of the software groups that we have so they can test various environments without having to use another system.

What other advice do I have?

This product is pretty straightforward and easy to use. I would definitely recommend it for testing different scenarios, Windows, Linux, that sort of thing. It works well in all environments, in my opinion, and the ease of setup is great and allows you to have a lot of test cases strictly run from your system rather than having to set up another whole desktop or another computer as a testing environment. Obviously, it's based on the number of hardware resources available in your system but to get a quick testbed or environment set up, it's pretty easy and straightforward. You can set it up and go about your daily routine and then come back to it, test some more scenarios, get it to where it's accessible through the networks, and determine whether we need it or not. It's better to have that rather than having to set up a whole other computer for testing.

I rate this solution 10 out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Cloud Engineer, Content Writer at Planet Flora
Real User
Top 5
A virtualization solution with faster deployment and reasonable pricing
Pros and Cons
  • "The initial setup is simple and takes only five minutes to complete."
  • "It takes too much time to load all the plug-ins and software."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for virtualization.

How has it helped my organization?

We are using Workstation to run multiple operating systems.

What is most valuable?

We are using Workstation to install another OS or VM for our application. Also, it provides more features than a VMware Virtual Box.

What needs improvement?

The solution’s performance is low. Also, support should be enhanced after Huiwei's acquisition. They are migrating all their clients to the new company.

It takes too much time to load all the plug-ins and software.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using VMware Workstation for three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the solution’s stability an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

One user is using this solution.

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight out of ten.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is simple and takes only five minutes to complete.

I rate the initial setup a seven out of ten, where one is difficult, and ten is easy.

What other advice do I have?

We have shipped out all the back end and containerized the application. We are currently using DKU and AKS.

I recommend the solution because of its reasonable pricing.

Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
VMware Workstation
September 2025
Learn what your peers think about VMware Workstation. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2025.
868,787 professionals have used our research since 2012.
System Administrator at a manufacturing company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 10
A stable and easy-to-install solution that performs well and enables users to set up virtual machines
Pros and Cons
  • "The product works well."
  • "I need to buy a newer version of the tool to support Windows Server."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is used to set up virtual machines.

What is most valuable?

The product works well.

What needs improvement?

I need to buy a newer version of the tool to support Windows Server. I would love to see the support in the lower versions.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for four or five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is fine.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have about five users.

How was the initial setup?

The initial installation is easy.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The product is expensive.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

If we cannot afford the solution, we can use VMware Player or VirtualBox.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Fredrik Hallgarde - PeerSpot reviewer
Consulting Manager at Real Time Services AB
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
A highly stable solution that allows multiple operating systems in the same physical machine
Pros and Cons
  • "VMware Workstation allows multiple operating systems in the same physical machine."
  • "VMware Workstation’s scalability could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use VMware Workstation for mostly legacy operating systems.

What is most valuable?

VMware Workstation allows multiple operating systems in the same physical machine.

What needs improvement?

VMware Workstation’s scalability could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using VMware Workstation for 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate VMware Workstation ten out of ten for stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate VMware Workstation a five out of ten for scalability.

How was the initial setup?

VMware Workstation's initial setup is easy.

What about the implementation team?

VMware Workstation can be deployed in less than half an hour. We implemented the solution through an in-house team.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend VMware Workstation to other users.

Overall, I rate VMware Workstation a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
System Engineer/ Architect at a wholesaler/distributor with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 5
Provides efficient virtual desktop infrastructure and has a good support team
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution's technical support team is excellent."
  • "Its networking features need improvement."

What is our primary use case?

I use the solution as a virtual desktop infrastructure.

What is most valuable?

The solution has the best licensing modules.

What needs improvement?

The solution's networking features need enhancement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for one year.

How are customer service and support?

The solution's technical support is good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What other advice do I have?

I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1803714 - PeerSpot reviewer
Customer experience engineer at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Real User
High performance, reliable, and simple initial setup
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of VMware Workstation are the speed of access and quality of upgrade. Those are the more important and pertinent aspects as far as we were concerned. Functionality and features were relevant for the customers. What a customer chose, we had to make sure that it operated."
  • "The big issue that we've always had with VMware, was the disparity between what was presented for a Windows-based client and a Linux-based client. The Windows client was always two or three releases ahead of the Linux client. We always wanted VMware to change and improve the feature sets between the client connector on Linux and on Windows."

What is our primary use case?

My company used to manufacture equipment that worked in conjunction with Citrix, VMware, or anything else that had either a cloud-based solution or a thin client or a thin client operating system requirement.

Our clients already were already a VMware Workstation, Citrix, Parallels, or a Microsoft customer, and we were only presenting them with the technology to physically connect to that solution. We provided a way in which they could present a connection to the target operating system or application. We were the OS that sat on the actual physical customer's desktop, and then they would connect to, for example, Citrix, VMware, or Microsoft.

Instead of having a whole full-blown copy of Microsoft Windows on a desktop to access another copy of Microsoft Windows, that's in the cloud, we are were presenting them with an alternative method to get to the virtual desktop or virtual application. We provided an endpoint computer solutions space. We didn't influence what the customers' endpoint was connecting to, we would facilitate the connection only.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of VMware Workstation are the speed of access and quality of upgrade. Those are the more important and pertinent aspects as far as we were concerned. Functionality and features were relevant for the customers. What a customer chose, we had to make sure that it operated. 

What needs improvement?

The big issue that we've always had with VMware, was the disparity between what was presented for a Windows-based client and a Linux-based client. The Windows client was always two or three releases ahead of the Linux client. We always wanted VMware to change and improve the feature sets between the client connector on Linux and on Windows.

We have used Citrix and they are very good because they keep both in step with one another. When they release a new endpoint client, very close to the same between the Microsoft Windows OS 10, Apple iOS, and Android.  VMware Workstation tends to leave Windows first for its client OS and sometimes doesn't catch up with the other OS's. A good example is the offloading of Teams. Teams works on Microsoft Windows, but there's no Linux client. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using VMware Workstation for approximately six years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

VMware Workstation is highly reliable and stable.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have used Citrix previously. I would rate VMware Workstation and Citrix the same. They have small differences and they both have areas to improve.

How was the initial setup?

VMware Workstation's initial setup is straightforward. It's not a difficult solution to implement. It's incredibly similar to Citrix. It's quite easy because most sites that employ Horizon or VMware Workstation have already a VMware implementation, it's not extensive in that respect. However, what is difficult for all clients, it's how to make it work reliably, quickly, and stream well. After the initial installation, it's the second configuration that is what takes more work.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution for customers. However, the solution has to match the customer's use case.

I rate VMware Workstation a ten out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer903963 - PeerSpot reviewer
Pre-sales engineer at a manufacturing company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
It's helpful for migrating and patching operating systems
Pros and Cons
  • "VMware Workstation is great for migrating and patching operating systems."
  • "My experience with Workstation is limited, so I don't know all the functionalities of this tool. Maybe Workstation could add some more compatibility with other vendors."

What is our primary use case?

It's a very good tool for testing labs on my own computer. This is only the use.

What is most valuable?

VMware Workstation is great for migrating and patching operating systems. 

What needs improvement?

My experience with Workstation is limited, so I don't know all the functionalities of this tool. Maybe Workstation could add some more compatibility with other vendors.

For how long have I used the solution?

I used VMware Workstation in a testing lab two months ago, but it was only for internal testing. We only tried it out for about five days.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Workstation is stable and scalable. 

How was the initial setup?

Workstation is easy to set up. It only took about 15 minutes. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate VMware Workstation nine out of 10. It's a very good product. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Consultant at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Reseller
Great for testing and solving connection problems
Pros and Cons
  • "Great at solving connection problems."
  • "Performance could be improved, it's somewhat clunky."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case of this product is to connect to my virtual interpreter of VMs and the like. In the event of an emergency, or if the user wants to deploy a VM on his own virtual system, Workstation can create a number of VMs in their own system, without having to connect back to the network. We deploy this solution for our clients and have around 15 customers that are using it. We are resellers of VMware Workstation.  

What is most valuable?

This product has a lot of good features and the basic one is for solving connection problems. Users can deploy the test machines or the VM machines on their own system and do the testing part. They can set up their own lab or own test set up on their system and do what they need.

What needs improvement?

I think that performance could be improved by making it more effective and less resource consuming. It's a little clunky. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable, we haven't had any issues.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This solution is scalable - you can install it on your system and run a number of VMs which connect back to the central data, so it's inter-connectable, connecting access to VPNs.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of this product was straightforward. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate this solution an eight out of 10. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free VMware Workstation Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: September 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free VMware Workstation Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.