Some of the new features in this version include:
| User Type | Verdict | |-----------|---------| | | ✅ Highly recommended – stable, scriptable, integrates with vSphere. | | Student/hobbyist (Windows/Linux) | ⚠️ Consider Workstation Player (free) unless you need snapshots/cloning. | | IT admin managing remote ESXi | ✅ Great for local test VMs and vSphere integration. | | Gamer running old Windows games | ❌ No – use VirtualBox (if lightweight) or dual-boot. | | macOS host user | ❌ Not available – VMware Fusion is the Mac version. | vmware workstation pro 16.2.5
Note: As of 2024–2025, VMware’s desktop products (Workstation Pro) have been transitioned under Broadcom with free licenses for personal use and changed commercial terms. For the latest pricing and features, check Broadcom’s VMware site. Some of the new features in this version
: Users can create massive virtual machines with up to 32 vCPUs , 128GB of RAM , and 8GB of dedicated graphics memory . | | Gamer running old Windows games |
: Includes the vctl CLI tool for building and running OCI containers and Kind Kubernetes clusters directly on the host.
To run VMware Workstation Pro 16.2.5, your host machine must meet the following system requirements: