There is a total of five founders of VMware, and their names are Diane Greene, Scott Devine, Edouard Bugnion, Mendel Rosenblum, and Edward Wang. Even though VMware Player and VMware Workstation are related services of VMware but at the same time, there are differences between them.
Key Takeaways
- VMware Player offers a free, simplified virtualization platform, while VMware Workstation provides a more advanced, feature-rich environment.
- VMware Workstation supports multiple VMs and snapshots, whereas VMware Player is limited to running a single VM simultaneously.
- VMware Workstation enables complex networking configurations, while VMware Player supports basic network configurations only.
VMware Player vs VMware Workstation
VMware Player is a free, basic software that allows users to run and interact with virtual machines. VMware Workstation is an advanced, paid virtualization software that offers additional features such as multiple snapshots, remote connections, and integration with development and testing tools.
It does a lot of activities as almost similar to the Workstation, except it is not at all related to the creation of anything. VMware Player is unable to create things such as snapshots and clones.
Therefore, it is not free. It is associated with many activities related to virtual machines. Also, VMware Workstation is allowed and can create things such as snapshots and clones.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | VMware Player | VMware Workstation |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The software that helps and supports the VMware Workstation for the smooth running of the related Visual Machines is known as VMware Player. | The software that looks after the creation of things and administration of those kinds of stuff in a Visual Machine is known as VMware Workstation. |
| Charges | VMware Player is free of cost and does not charge a single penny for its usage. | VMware Workstation charges some amount of money for its usage. |
| Usage | VMware Player is used for running the related things of a Virtual Machine. | VMware Workstation is used for developing and administrating the things produced by the Visual Machine. |
| Stable Release | The VMware Player was Stablely released 12 months back, that is, on 14th September 2020. | The VMware Workstation was Stablely released 4 months back, on 18th May 2021. |
| License | Freemium is the license of VMware Player. | Freeware is the license of VMware Workstation. |
| Powerful Features | VMware Player slightly lacks the aspect of powerful features. | VMware Workstation is loaded with powerful features. |
| Advancement | VMware Player is comparatively less advanced in technological characteristics. | VMware Workstation is very much advanced in technological characteristics. |
| Physical Disks | VMware Player does not support physical disks. It only supports virtual disks. | VMware Workstation does support Physical disks. |
| Snapshot and Clones | VMware Player is unable to produce any snapshots and clones. | VMware Workstation is enabled to produce snapshots and clones. |
| Management Skills | VMware Player comparatively lacks behind in management skills. | VMware Workstation has good management skills. |
What is VMware Player?
VMware Player is a widely used software that is associated with VMware to function its features smoothly of a Visual Machine. It processes the functions of the Visual Machine without disturbing the other factors.
Even though many people widely use VMware Player, but its drawbacks include aspects such as it is not as powerful as the other VMware-related software/application. It is only associated with the basic elements.
Also, VMware Player is not allowed or capable of producing snapshots and clones. It is therefore used only for processing the Visual Machine.
What is VMware Workstation?
VMware has created many sub-products for its easy and smooth functioning. Therefore, VMware Workstation is one of them. The VMware Workstation is the software that manages the Visual Machine by looking after its creation-related things and administrations. It is one of the sole software of VMware, as it does the main job of its respective application.
It can not be used for free. And its main job is to create and administer those creations which are related to the Visual Machine. Freeware is the license of VMware Workstation.
There are many advantages of the usage of VMware Workstation. Its advantages include things such as it is overloaded with powerful features. Its users love the powerful feature as it saves a lot of time.
Main Differences Between VMware Player and VMware Workstation
- VMware Player is unable to produce any snapshots and clones. On the other hand, VMware Workstation is enabled to produce snapshots and clones.
- VMware Player comparatively lacks behind in management skills. On the other hand, VMware Workstation has good management skills.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=E_CMs8iSt3UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA65&dq=vmware+player+vs+workstation&ots=jxW0eZDE1Y&sig=_VbB6oNCFvDwQHpzaVsa1IyPWnQ
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2382553.2382554
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The article’s description of VMware Player and VMware Workstation is excellent. The reader can fully understand what each software does.
The article provides a clear and thorough explanation of the differences between VMware Player and VMware Workstation. It’s very informative.
The comparison table is very helpful, anyone can quickly understand the key differences between VMware Player and Workstation. Well-written article, thanks for sharing!
It’s amazing how VMware Workstation supports multiple VMs and snapshots. The advancements in technology are remarkable.
I would have preferred to see more details about the management skills comparison between VMware Player and VMware Workstation.
It is disappointing to learn that VMware Player is limited to running a single VM simultaneously. I expected it to have more capabilities.
The article provides a thorough comparison, but I can’t help but find some parts too technical for the average reader. It might be better if it’s simplified.
I appreciate the reference links provided at the end of the article. This supports the credibility of the information presented.