- What changed for VMware Workstation and Fusion
- The catch: versions and downloads
- How to get VMware Workstation Pro for free
- What's new in VMware Workstation 26H1
- What about existing paying customers?
- Workstation Pro or Fusion Pro: which free one you need
- Before you install VMware Workstation Pro
- My advice
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, VMware Workstation Pro is free for personal, commercial and educational use, and so is VMware Fusion Pro for Mac. Broadcom made both free on 11 November 2024, and no licence key is needed, but you'll need a Broadcom account to download them.
Plenty of answers online still describe Workstation Pro as a paid product. That changed in November 2024, and it's one of the few times a big software company has made its paid product free for businesses as well as home users.
What changed for VMware Workstation and Fusion
VMware's announcement on 11 November 2024 said Fusion and Workstation would move away from the paid subscription model and be available free. Broadcom's knowledge base confirms the free versions are for commercial, educational and personal users, and that no licence key is required. When you install, you're asked for a licence key and can select the option for personal use instead.
| Before November 2024 | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Workstation Pro (Windows, Linux) | Paid subscription | Free for personal, commercial and educational use |
| Fusion Pro (Mac) | Paid subscription | Free for personal, commercial and educational use |
| Licence key | Needed | Not needed |
| Features | Full paid feature set | VMware says the free version includes all the features of the paid version |
| Support | Paid support channels | Community forums, unless you're still on a commercial contract |
The catch: versions and downloads
There are two things to watch. First, Broadcom says the free licence for personal and commercial use only applies from Workstation Pro 17.5.2 and Fusion 13.5.2 onwards. If you've got an older installer saved somewhere, it still needs a paid licence, so download a current version.
Second, the downloads sit behind Broadcom's support portal. Broadcom's knowledge base says you need to register or log in with a Broadcom Support Portal account, complete your Basic User profile, and fill in a Trade Compliance form with accurate details, including your email, address and country, before your free download is available. It's a few minutes of form filling, but it surprises people who expect a direct download.
How to get VMware Workstation Pro for free
- Register for a free Broadcom Support Portal account, or log in if you have one.
- Complete your Basic User profile and the Trade Compliance form, as Broadcom's knowledge base asks.
- Download the current Workstation Pro for Windows or Linux, or Fusion Pro for Mac.
- Install it. When asked for a licence key, choose the personal use option. No key is needed.
- For help, use the Broadcom community forums, which VMware says is the support model for free users.
What's new in VMware Workstation 26H1
VMware's 26H1 announcement on 14 May 2026 says Workstation Pro for Windows is now a 64-bit application, so most of its binaries, libraries and installer components run as 64-bit processes. VMware also moved to calendar version names with the earlier 25H2 update, which is why you'll now see versions like 26H1 rather than 17.x.
What about existing paying customers?
VMware says anyone on a commercial contract keeps their agreement and support until the end of the term. After that, they can carry on using the product free, with community support instead of paid support.
If you're choosing between virtual machine tools, my comparison of VirtualBox vs VMware covers the differences, and here's my wider list of free virtual machine software.
Workstation Pro or Fusion Pro: which free one you need
| VMware Workstation Pro | VMware Fusion Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Windows and Linux PCs | Mac |
| Free for personal, commercial and educational use | Yes | Yes |
| Free licence starts from | Version 17.5.2 | Version 13.5.2 |
| Licence key needed | No | No |
Before you install VMware Workstation Pro
- Uninstall any old version you're not sure about, so you're not running a build that still needs a paid licence.
- Have your account details ready for the Broadcom portal and the Trade Compliance form.
- Check you have the disk space for the virtual machines you plan to run, not just the app itself.
- Bookmark the Broadcom community forum, because that's where free users get help.
If you've seen older guides mention a separate free Workstation Player, treat them as out of date and go by Broadcom's current download page and knowledge base article, which describe the free Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro.
My advice
If you need a desktop virtual machine for testing software, running Windows on a Mac or trying Linux, use VMware Workstation Pro or Fusion Pro free, including for client and business work. Download a current version through the Broadcom portal rather than an old installer, and budget ten minutes for the account and compliance forms. The only thing you give up is paid support, and for most small businesses the community forums will do.
Frequently asked questions
Is VMware Workstation Pro free for commercial use?
Yes. Broadcom says VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro are free for commercial, educational and personal users, with no licence key required.
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Which versions of VMware Workstation are free?
Broadcom says the free licence applies from Workstation Pro 17.5.2 and Fusion 13.5.2 onwards. Older versions still need a paid licence.
Do I need an account to download VMware Workstation?
Yes. Broadcom asks you to register or log in to its support portal and complete your profile and a Trade Compliance form before the download is available.
Is the free VMware Workstation missing features?
No. VMware says the free version includes all the features of the paid version. The main difference is support, which is through community forums for free users.
Is VMware Fusion free on Mac?
Yes. VMware Fusion Pro, the Mac version, became free for personal, commercial and educational use on 11 November 2024, along with Workstation Pro.
Do I need a licence key for VMware Workstation Pro?
No. Broadcom says no licence key is required for the free version. When you install, choose the option for personal use instead of entering a key.
What support do free VMware Workstation users get?
VMware says free users get help through the Broadcom community forums. Customers still on a commercial contract keep their paid support until the end of the term.
What is VMware Workstation 26H1?
It's the release VMware announced on 14 May 2026. VMware says it makes Workstation Pro for Windows a 64-bit application, following the move to calendar version names in 25H2.
Is VMware Workstation Pro free for schools?
Broadcom says Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro are free for educational users, as well as commercial and personal users.
