As an expert in virtualization technology, I'm often asked about the differences between VMware Workstation and VMware Player. Both are products from VMware that allow users to create and run virtual machines (VMs) on their computers, but they serve different needs and come with varying levels of functionality.

VMware Workstation is a comprehensive virtualization software solution designed for developers, testers, and IT professionals. It offers a wide range of features that cater to the needs of these users. Here are some key features that distinguish VMware Workstation from VMware Player:


1. Advanced Networking: VMware Workstation provides advanced networking options, allowing users to create complex network topologies within the virtual environment. This is crucial for testing network applications and configurations.


2. Snapshots and Cloning: Workstation allows users to take snapshots of a VM at a particular point in time, which can be reverted to if needed. Cloning creates an exact copy of a VM, which is useful for testing and development.


3. Remote Connections: Users can connect to remote ESXi hosts and manage VMs on those hosts directly from the Workstation interface.


4. Performance: VMware Workstation is optimized for high performance, offering better resource utilization and faster VM startup times.


5. Hardware Compatibility: It supports a wide range of hardware devices and has better support for USB devices, allowing for more complex and realistic VM configurations.


6. Powerful Tools: Workstation comes with a suite of tools for VM management, including the ability to create VMs from physical machines, run multiple VMs simultaneously, and more.

7.
Customization: It offers extensive customization options for VM settings, allowing users to fine-tune their virtual environments.

8.
Security Features: VMware Workstation includes advanced security features, such as encryption and secure boot options.

9.
Support for vSphere: It provides integration with vSphere, allowing users to manage and run VMs in a vSphere environment.

10.
Cost: VMware Workstation is a paid product, reflecting its comprehensive feature set and professional support.

On the other hand, VMware Player is a free, entry-level virtualization product that is more suited for simple, non-commercial use. It allows users to run VMs but with limited functionality compared to Workstation. Here are some of the limitations of VMware Player:


1. Limited Networking: Player does not offer the advanced networking features found in Workstation.


2. No Snapshots or Cloning: It does not support the creation of VM snapshots or cloning of VMs.


3. No Remote Connections: Player cannot connect to remote ESXi hosts or vSphere.


4. Basic Tools: It provides basic VM management tools but lacks the advanced features and customization options of Workstation.


5. Hardware Support: Player has more limited support for hardware devices compared to Workstation.


6. No vSphere Integration: It does not integrate with vSphere, which is a significant limitation for users who work in enterprise environments.

7.
Free to Use: As a free product, it does not come with the same level of professional support as Workstation.

In summary, while both products allow for the creation and running of virtual machines, VMware Workstation is a more powerful and feature-rich solution designed for professional use, whereas VMware Player is a simpler, free alternative for basic virtualization needs.

read more >>

How does VMware Player compare to VMware Workstation? VMware Player enables you to quickly and easily create and run virtual machines. However, VMware Player lacks many powerful features, remote connections to vSphere, drag and drop upload to vSphere, multiple Snapshots and Clones, and much more.Nov 13, 2010read more >>