VMware Workstation Pro vs VMware Workstation Player: Which One to Choose

What is VMware Workstation Player?

VMware Workstation Player is a free, streamlined desktop virtualization application designed for personal, non-commercial use. It allows users to run a single virtual machine at a time on a Windows or Linux PC. Although it is a basic version, it provides a solid foundation for running different operating systems in isolated environments.

✨Key Features
Free for personal use
Supports a wide range of guest operating systems
Basic virtual machine management
Easy to use with a lightweight interface

What is VMware Workstation Pro? 

VMware Workstation Pro is the professional-grade version of VMware’s desktop virtualization software. It is a paid application that offers advanced features, enabling users to build and test complex virtual environments.

✨Key Features
Create and run multiple VMs simultaneously
Take and manage VM snapshots
Clone virtual machines
Advanced networking (custom virtual networks, NAT, etc.)
Integration with vSphere and ESXi

The Difference between VMware Workstation Player and Pro

You can check the table below for VMware Workstation Pro vs Player.

Secure VMware VMs with Backup Tool – AOMEI Cyber Backup

Whether you are using Workstation Pro or Player, backing up your virtual machines is critical, and AOMEI Cyber Backup provides comprehensive VMware VM backups.

Simplified Backup: You can set up a policy and execute it automatically, which greatly improves work efficiency and reduces human error.
Automate VMware Backup: You can run VM backup tasks automatically to offer continuous VM protection and reduce human error.
Backup to all locations: It supports backup of VMware virtual machines to external hard drives, local storage, NAS drives, network share, etc.
All-around Data Protection: It offers flexible backup strategies to create a full backup of the entire VM and an incremental backup to keep track of the changed data.
Instant Disaster Recovery: In the event of a VMware crash, quickly restore VMware to a normal state, reducing business-critical downtime.

📍 Follow the simple steps to configure VMware VMs:

Step 1. Download and launch AOMEI Cyber Backup.

Step 2. Navigate to Source Device > VMware > + Add VMware Device to Add vCenter or Standalone ESXi, then enter Device Information and User Information, and click Confirm.

Step 3. Go to Backup Task > + Create New Task, then set up Task Name, Backup Type, Device, Target, Archive, and Schedule.

• Backup Type: Select VMware ESXi Backup as the Backup Type.
• Target: Select to backup to local path, or to a network path.
• Schedule: You can select full, differential, or incremental backup.

Step 4. Click Stat Backup and select Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

Conclusion

VMware Workstation Player and Pro meet the needs of a variety of users, with Player offering a free, lightweight solution for running individual virtual machines and Pro offering advanced features for professionals managing complex virtual environments. Regardless of which version you use, protecting your virtual machines is critical, and AOMEI Cyber Backup simplifies the backup and recovery of VMware virtual machines, keeping your data safe with an automated, flexible, and efficient backup solution.