VMware Workstation Pro vs. RealVNC Connect

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
VMware Workstation Pro
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
VMware Workstation Pro is virtualization software which allows running multiple x86-based operating systems on one PC. Users can run Windows, Linux and BSD virtual machines on a Windows or Linux desktop.N/A
RealVNC Connect
Score 7.5 out of 10
N/A
RealVNC® Connect is a secure remote access solution from RealVNC. It can be used to connect to a remote device anywhere in the world to view its desktop in real-time and take control as though sitting in front of it.
$99
per year (one concurrent session)
Pricing
VMware Workstation ProRealVNC Connect
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Essentials
$8.25
per month (billed annually) per concurrent session
Plus
$16.50
per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 3)
Premium
$29.75
per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 5)
Enterprise
Custom Pricing
per year
Enterprise
Custom Pricing
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
VMware Workstation ProRealVNC Connect
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsPlans work on a Per Concurrent Session basis. Each plan gives access to a bundled number of devices, but limits apply to the amount of devices that can be connected at any given time. The Premium plan includes On-Demand Assist, a useful tool for providing just-in-time remote support to end-users without them needing RealVNC Connect installed on their device.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
VMware Workstation ProRealVNC Connect
Features
VMware Workstation ProRealVNC Connect
Server Virtualization
Comparison of Server Virtualization features of Product A and Product B
VMware Workstation Pro
7.6
29 Ratings
5% below category average
RealVNC Connect
-
Ratings
Virtual machine automated provisioning8.722 Ratings00 Ratings
Management console6.924 Ratings00 Ratings
Live virtual machine backup7.522 Ratings00 Ratings
Live virtual machine migration6.021 Ratings00 Ratings
Hypervisor-level security9.121 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
VMware Workstation Pro
-
Ratings
RealVNC Connect
7.3
32 Ratings
8% below category average
Screen sharing00 Ratings9.128 Ratings
File transfer00 Ratings8.015 Ratings
Instant message00 Ratings6.219 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication00 Ratings7.05 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers00 Ratings6.09 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session00 Ratings9.030 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile00 Ratings8.919 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations00 Ratings4.76 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard00 Ratings7.216 Ratings
Session record00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Annotations00 Ratings5.36 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
Best Alternatives
VMware Workstation ProRealVNC Connect
Small Businesses
DigitalOcean Droplets
DigitalOcean Droplets
Score 9.4 out of 10
Getscreen.me
Getscreen.me
Score 9.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
VMware vSOM (discontinued)
VMware vSOM (discontinued)
Score 10.0 out of 10
Remote Desktop Manager
Remote Desktop Manager
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
VMware vSOM (discontinued)
VMware vSOM (discontinued)
Score 10.0 out of 10
Remote Desktop Manager
Remote Desktop Manager
Score 9.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
VMware Workstation ProRealVNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
7.6
(30 ratings)
8.1
(38 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(8 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(4 ratings)
8.0
(4 ratings)
Support Rating
7.7
(2 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
VMware Workstation ProRealVNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
VMware by Broadcom
I would not recommend using a VM as a complete replacement for your everyday driver, but I would recommend
it for testing. One way that I use Workstation Pro is with testing GPO's. I can
make a change to a user or computer GPO, take a snapshot, reboot the computer
to pull the GPO, see if it worked. If it didn't, I revert to the last snapshot before the GPO was pulled, make some changes to the GPO again, and test on the test VM. The same style
of testing can be used with creating and changing scripts for computer changes.
We have a whole computer setup script that installs software and changes a ton
of settings. On a VM you can test over and over to make sure the script runs
how you want it to and revert if you didn't like the script outcome. Especially
handy with software installs, so you don't have to wait for a program to
uninstall and then edit the script and run the script again. Using snapshots save me so much time in testing!
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Pros
VMware by Broadcom
  • It provides a great remote access tool for accessing and managing servers in virtual environment. With the security risks surround remote desktop this provides a good alternative to do the same functions.
  • The app itself is very lightweight and easy to install/maintain.
  • Sandbox testing can be a time consuming thing to setup and do. Workstation makes this easy to create, use, and put away. This make you more willing to put new things in the sandbox and test them before production usage.
  • The cost of workstation is very affordable for the functionality that you get and you can try it for free before you buy it.
  • We use it to run apps that can be difficult to setup or conflict with other apps. We just spin this app VM up run it, and then shut it back down. The startup and shutdown is very quick.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Cons
VMware by Broadcom
  • At the moment, it's incompatible with Microsoft's HyperVM, which is used in Docker and the Linux Subsystem on Windows 2 (WSL 2).
  • VMware shared files sometimes stop working and need to be reset.
  • 3D support is limited to Windows and only certain scenarios.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
VMware by Broadcom
It's a solid product, and if they make it compatible with HyperVM (WSL, Docker, etc.) it would be great
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Usability
VMware by Broadcom
It is well documented since it is a long actor in the virtualization scene. Easy to use for most user cases. Pretty much not maintenance on the software besides the occasional software updates and/or compatibility issues from time to time.
Read full review
RealVNC
It's a niche product and in that niche they try to cater to as many use cases as they can. Other as a TCO aspect i don't see many use cases where you can't use this product as the one tool for all remote session use cases in your company
Read full review
Support Rating
VMware by Broadcom
I haven't had to call VMware Workstation support. The majority of the time, whenever I have a problem, I can perform an online search and find the answers I need. Online forums and users with similar situations are generally sufficient to answer any questions I have had, though, from previous experience at another company, their support is outstanding and responsive to circumstances. However, that is generally for a paid support contract and should be expected when you are paying for that support.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
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
Read full review
Implementation Rating
VMware by Broadcom
No answers on this topic
RealVNC
No problem at all, love the product.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
VMware by Broadcom
VMware ESXi is more enterprise based whereas VMware Workstation offers capabilities at a lower cost and smaller scale. VMware Workstation Pro is also user friendly and easy to install. It can be utilized on a regular desktop system as the name implies. It helps with also demonstrations when needed to clients without having bulky hardware every time.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Return on Investment
VMware by Broadcom
  • When updating multiple VM's, this is a much quicker option vs trying to either RDP to them or console using Vcenter
  • We are required to run a VM locally for certain tasks, and this has been the most effective way to use it
  • The ability to manage a VM without having to worry about the console freezing up helps with management
Read full review
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.
Read full review
ScreenShots

RealVNC Connect Screenshots

Screenshot of the Device List in the Connect v8 desktop appScreenshot of On-Demand Assist, which can be used to start a remote support session using a single-use code.