VMware Workstation and Fusion Now Available for Free

VMware has taken a major step in making its popular virtualization solutions, VMware Workstation y vmware fusion, are freely accessible to all users. This includes both personal, business and educational use, allowing millions of users to take advantage of its powerful tools without having to pay a license.

This change comes after VMware's acquisition by Broadcom and means the removal of the economic barrier that previously limited access to these technologies. Although the paid versions are no longer available, those who still have current contracts will be able to continue using them until their end date, maintaining the level of support stipulated in their agreements.

VMware is a benchmark in the field of virtualization. With Workstation, for Windows y Linux, and Fusion, for macOS, users can run Virtual machines that allow the use of different OS on a single computer, which is especially useful for developers, IT professionals and companies that need to test or run software in diverse environments.

A free model that maintains all the functions

The change to a free model does not mean a loss in terms of functionalitiesBoth VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro will continue to offer all the features previously available in the paid versions. This includes the ability to create and run multiple virtual machines with different operating systems in parallel, as well as take advantage of advanced virtualization tools that allow efficient management of the resources of the hardware host.

However, It should be noted that users will no longer have access to personalized support through tickets.Instead, users will have online resources available, such as official documentation, manuals and guides, in addition to the user community that is always available in the support forums. This community support model has already worked very well on other platforms, such as VirtualBox, and ensures that the more technical elements can be resolved between users.

How to download and register for VMware Workstation and Fusion

Downloading these products is relatively easy, but requires creating an account on Broadcom systems. To do so, go to the official VMware page, click on the download option VMware WorkstationPro o VMware Fusion Pro and follow the steps to register by creating a free account. This step is mandatory, as without an account you will not be able to access the software download.

Once inside your Broadcom account, you will have to go to the section "My Downloads", where you'll see a list of available products. Find the software you're interested in, check the box agreeing to the terms and conditions, and select the most recent version from the list. You'll need to provide a few other details, such as your address and zip code, before you can begin the download.

Limited support, but constant updates

It is important to mention that, although these versions will be free, VMware will continue to make updates and improvements to both products. This includes not only security patches and bug fixes, but also the addition of new features that will keep users up to date with the current needs of the virtualization market.

The VMware development team has noted that it will continue investing in these products to ensure that they remain efficient solutions for both individual users and businesses. New features will continue to be implemented to improve usability and offer more advanced tools for managing virtual machines.

Advantages of using VMware Fusion and Workstation

Using VMware Workstation or Fusion is not only useful for member, but also for the end user. Virtual machines allow you to run complete operating systems in isolated environments, which is perfect for testing software without taking risks to the main operating system, or for running older applications that no longer work on modern systems.

These tools are popular in environments where specific conditions are needed for software testing or application virtualization. In addition, for software developersVMware provides a controlled environment where all necessary validations can be performed without affecting other processes.

Thanks to this recent free policy, not only small and medium-sized companies will be able to take advantage of these tools, but also educational institutions and individuals who want to experiment with different operating environments.

With There, this measure can also be a threat to other virtualization products, like Parallels, which still maintains a paid subscription model.

Why has VMware made this decision?

One of the main reasons VMware decided to make these products completely free is that the Cloud computing is taking over the virtualization market. Companies like VMware, which previously focused their efforts on local virtual machines, have shifted their focus to the cloud. This change allows the company to offer its local virtualization tools for free, without affecting its core business model.

In the long run, this decision also aims to make more and more people familiar with the VMware ecosystem. Making its products available to more users will allow the community to grow and the company to gain greater importance in the global technology sector.