VMware Workstation Player vs. VNC Connect

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
VMware Workstation Player
Score 9.2 out of 10
N/A
VMware Workstation 17 Player is a platform for running a single virtual machine on a Windows or Linux PC to deliver managed corporate desktops. Organizations can use Workstation Player to deliver managed corporate desktops, while students and educators use it for learning and training.N/A
VNC Connect
Score 7.6 out of 10
N/A
VNC® Connect is presented as a secure, simple remote desktop solution. It enables users to remotely access and control their devices wherever they are in the world, whenever they need to. VNC® Connect covers a wide range of remote access use cases with a single subscription, from remote working to IT support.
$3.39
per remote computer per month
Pricing
VMware Workstation PlayerVNC Connect
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Professional - Device Access
$3.39
per remote computer per month
Enterprise - Device Access
$4.59
per remote computer per month
Professional - Instant Support
$16.99
per named technician per month
Enterprise - Instant Support
$33.49
per named technician per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
VMware Workstation PlayerVNC Connect
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
VMware Workstation PlayerVNC Connect
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
VMware Workstation PlayerVNC Connect
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
VMware Workstation Player
-
Ratings
VNC Connect
7.7
31 Ratings
7% below category average
Screen sharing00 Ratings10.027 Ratings
File transfer00 Ratings8.314 Ratings
Instant message00 Ratings8.118 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers00 Ratings6.09 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session00 Ratings9.129 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile00 Ratings8.118 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations00 Ratings4.76 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard00 Ratings9.015 Ratings
Session record00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Annotations00 Ratings5.36 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control00 Ratings9.010 Ratings
Best Alternatives
VMware Workstation PlayerVNC Connect
Small Businesses
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion
Score 8.4 out of 10
Getscreen.me
Getscreen.me
Score 9.8 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion
Score 8.4 out of 10
mRemoteNG
mRemoteNG
Score 9.7 out of 10
Enterprises
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion
Score 8.4 out of 10
Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services
Score 9.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
VMware Workstation PlayerVNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
6.9
(9 ratings)
9.0
(37 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(8 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(2 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Performance
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Ease of integration
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
VMware Workstation PlayerVNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
VMware by Broadcom
VMware will work great for the following test scenarios:
  • Testing windows updates on a system
  • Testing a new software or a new software version
  • Creating a sandbox to test options/features of an OS
  • Creating different VM to test a software on different OS without the need to have physical machines for all of them
You can also use it as a "player" only where you have that static VM that you run from time to time as with my use for SAS University. Whenever you need to use the software, you simply start that VM.
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RealVNC
It is very easy to use if the remote device is already set up to receive connections, so if you are setting up devices before deploying them, it is a great tool to have. It is well-suited to use when shadowing users or using it as a teaching tool. There are other products that are better if you are trying to help someone on a one-use basis.
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Pros
VMware by Broadcom
  • VMware Player is easy to use.
  • VMware Player supports a wide variety operating systems.
  • Unity mode makes it easy for the end user to utilize needed legacy applications while maintaining their familiar Host OS desktop. It's seamless to the point where the end user doesn't know they're running applications from a VM.
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RealVNC
  • VNC Connect does an excellent job in remotely connecting to a computer through either your local area network or even another computer on the internet. As long as the VNC Connect services is installed and the client is running in the background.
  • VNC Connect provides password protection to prevent unauthorized users from attempting to remotely access your computer. There's an option to have a separate password to remotely view vs view & access a computer. You can even add an additional level of security by turning on the feature to require Windows login credentials.
  • VNC Connect provides an additional set of controls after a remote connection has been established with another computer. You can have special keystrokes like Ctrl+Alt+Del sent as a command sequence to the other computer as well as access more than a single screen when in use at the remote computer location.
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Cons
VMware by Broadcom
  • Would be nice to use more VMs at once, but this is basically trial software, so it's hard to fault them.
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RealVNC
  • Its a pretty straight forward product - I would like to see more tools with a "wow" factor.
  • Panel colors are blah - I would like more eye-catching colors.
  • A more consistent look with all platforms - like Mac & PC.
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Likelihood to Renew
VMware by Broadcom
I give a rating of 8 because VMware Player has its use cases, for example it requires the host OS to be logged in, and the VMware Player application to be opened and the Guest VM started. Only one VM can run at a time. I'd give a 9/10 to VMware Workstation because you can run shared VMs at startup without logging in or starting the workstation application. and i'd give ESX a 10/10 because ESX is the leader in enterprise visualization.
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RealVNC
VNC is a solid product for the price. It simply works and its reliable across different platforms. Some products state they work well in the Mac environment but don't deliver. This one does what it says. Connections are reliable, but of course, this depends on internet connections. The product works well over wireless connections as well. It delivers on what a remote tool should deliver on. My technicians are happy with the product and customers appreciate the ease of use when letting us connect to their systems. Some also appreciate the remote support while they are multi-task.
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Usability
VMware by Broadcom
Great product. Its user-friendly GUI and overall performance are really the biggest strength of this tool. The reason why I don't give a higher note is because of the price. Although it's decent (starting at around $200 for a license), there is a good free alternative in VirtualBox. Not everyone values friendly GUI as something worth paying for. For people that are more tech-savvy, I would recommend looking into VirtualBox as they might actually like the model better (with downloadable add-ons and packages).
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RealVNC
VNC Connect is a solid product and our techs are very confident that they can get the job done using it. Reliability is key for us since we have a small support team and many users to support. It also helps keep us in the background more allowing the end-users to multi-task. VNC supports our goal of providing quick and efficient services.
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Performance
VMware by Broadcom
Integration isn't really relevant here but I see this question more as an OS compatibility for the VM. They state that they support over 200 different OS versions. I honestly have never tried anything else other than Ubuntu and Windows myself but nonetheless, this is impressive. I have not hit any limitation in my use of this software in terms of limitation or conflicts with other software.
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RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
VMware by Broadcom
VMware support is very knowledgeable on their products, eveything from AirWatch to ESX clusters. VMware is easy to contact, they stay in touch and see the issue through to the end and a final resolution. They keep you up to date on your issue status and don't leave you waiting for answers.
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RealVNC
VNC Connect is a reliable product that has been around for a long time. It is reasonably priced and works well in the Mac & PC environment. When you have a small team that supports many users we need tools that we can rely upon and that will get the job done on the first try. Many customers appreciate the quick assistance and can multi-task while our team works on their computer issues remotely. From a customer service point of view, this tool gives us transparency and efficient effectiveness.
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Online Training
VMware by Broadcom
No answers on this topic
RealVNC
The training is very informative, quick and to the point. All of the details one would need are present so the user doesn't have to go searching for additional information just to use the application. The layout of the training was also neat and concise, some of the other training sessions for other companies I've done in the past were confusing and not well thought out, this one is much more superior
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Implementation Rating
VMware by Broadcom
Installing the application was easily completed on the twenty computers that needed VMware Player. Once those 20 users were configured we copied our virtual machine template to the 20 users and turned on their newly provisioned virtual machines. We then configured unity mode so the user could easily work from within the virtual machine from their host desktop.
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RealVNC
No problem at all, love the product.
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Alternatives Considered
VMware by Broadcom
Both free, VMware supports USB 3.0 while VirtualBox does not. VMware supports nested hardware-assisted virtualization while VirtualBox does not.
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RealVNC
VNC is light and sleek with the quick setup, was impressed with the quick setup despite poor Internet connection outdoor. TeamViewer is good, but the pricing is not as good as VNC. Both do the basic job, but VNC still outperform TeamViewer in terms of performance and ease of use.
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Return on Investment
VMware by Broadcom
  • A positive impact is that it require little to no funding to use.
  • Negative impact is that because it is free it can be hard to get support.
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RealVNC
  • I have just used the software for about 1 month and so far so god. I am saving time whenever I can access my client's computers from my desk as opposed to having to leave my office to go to their offices. Saves me time and the client money.
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ScreenShots