Best VMware Player Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to VMware Player? In this comparison, we take a closer look at VMware Player alongside similar software solutions including VMware Player, VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview and ControlCenter Package.
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how VMware Player, VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview and ControlCenter Package stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
Cost and Licensing
 VMware Player
|
Free for non-commercial use |
 VMware Workstation
|
Paid software requiring a valid license key |
 VirtualBox
|
Free and open-source software |
 Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview
|
Included with Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise editions |
 ControlCenter Package
|
Costly licensing fees, pricing based on subscription levels |
Supported Operating Systems
|
VMware Player
|
Supports over 200 operating systems including Windows and Linux |
|
VMware Workstation
|
Supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and MacOS |
|
VirtualBox
|
Supports a wide range of guest OSes including Windows, Linux, Solaris, and macOS |
|
Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview
|
Supports various Linux distributions on Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise editions |
|
ControlCenter Package
|
Supports multiple systems including Unix, Linux, and Windows platforms |
Features and Capabilities
|
VMware Player
|
Basic virtualization with limited advanced features; suitable for beginners; no official technical support |
|
VMware Workstation
|
Advanced features including snapshots, complex network configurations, multiple virtual machines support; requires some technical expertise |
|
VirtualBox
|
Provides snapshots, USB device support, virtual networking; offers easy-to-use GUI; regular updates |
|
Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview
|
Allows running Linux GUI applications natively on Windows; offers seamless integration; preview with some bugs and compatibility issues |
|
ControlCenter Package
|
Centralized management with real-time monitoring, customizable dashboards, alerting capabilities; supports enterprise-scale deployment and various platforms |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how VMware Player stacks up against VMware Player, VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview and ControlCenter Package in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
|
VMware Player
|
577.1MB |
|
VMware Workstation
|
|
|
VirtualBox
|
|
|
Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview
|
16.3MB |
|
ControlCenter Package
|
License
|
VMware Player
|
Freeware |
|
VMware Workstation
|
Shareware |
|
VirtualBox
|
Shareware |
|
Windows Subsystem for Linux WSLg Preview
|
Shareware |
|
ControlCenter Package
|
Shareware |