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VMware Fusion

VMware Fusion

Overview

What is VMware Fusion?

Vmware Fusion is a virtual user session software built to run Windows applications on Macintosh to run any Windows applications.

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Learn from top reviewers

An excellent fusion of great virtualization features, high performance, and pricing that fits the bill for almost everyone.

Rating: 9 out of 10
April 4, 2022
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
VMware Fusion is used in a multitude of development scenarios including spinning up Linux servers for early-stage development before the code is pushed to an internet-facing d...
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Shion Song
Executive - Marketing
Art Director & Web Developer
shion.ca
VMware Fusion12 years of experience

If you need to run Windows apps on a Mac, VMware Fusion is great!

Rating: 10 out of 10
July 22, 2021
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
I use VMware Fusion on my Mac so that I can run business-related software that is only available on the PC. This allows me to run Windows-based software seamlessly on my Mac, ...
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Jim Chandler
Consultant - Professional Services
Founder
360intentionality, LLC
VMware Fusion4 years of experience

Switch Between Software Development Environments With Ease

Rating: 10 out of 10
February 25, 2020
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
We use VMWare Fusion to run disk images of Windows operating systems on a Mac, as well as running VMWare Fusion on a Debian Linux machine to run other Linux environments. The ...
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Jonah Dempcy
Employee - Engineering
Web & Mobile Developer
Bluefire Productions
VMware Fusion14 years of experience

I have two computers on one screen....kinda!

Rating: 10 out of 10
February 18, 2020
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
Our company switched from PC based to Mac based back in 2012. For the most part, our applications are MAC OS. However, we have not found a suitable Mac version of our bookkeep...
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Verified user
Partner
VMware Fusion5 years of experience

An excellent high performing product that makes desktop virtualization simple and cost effective

Rating: 10 out of 10
August 29, 2019
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
As a charter school management organization, we strive to provide the best educational tools to our students. As such, we have deployed Mac labs utilizing Apple iMac computers...
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Stefan Semo
Manager - Information Technology
Director of IT Infrastructure, Security & Compliance and Customer Service
Success Academy Charter Schools
VMware Fusion4 years of experience

VMware Fusion: run all of your Windows and Linux software on Mac without a problem

Rating: 6 out of 10
February 21, 2019
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
VMware Fusion is being used as a virtual machine monitor to allow Mac users to test how things work on Windows machines. It is used mostly by developers and quality analysts, ...
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Verified user
Professional
VMware Fusion3 years of experience

VMware Fusion is a great operation for running virtual machines on a Mac.

Rating: 8 out of 10
January 28, 2019
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
VMware Fusion is primarily used by clients who need to access Windows-specific applications on their Macs. In most organizations I manage, VMware is used as a last resort, whe...
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Aaron Pinsker
Professional - Information Technology
Owner
Colorado Computer Care
VMware Fusion7 years of experience

VMware Fusion - The go to Mac virtualization application

Rating: 8 out of 10
December 10, 2018
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
VMware Fusion is the preferred workstation virtualization application for Mac users. It allows users to virtualize a multitude of operating systems on their workstation. We ha...
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Alex Waitkus, CISSP-ISSAP, OSCP
Engineer - Information Technology
Security Architect
Securicon, LLC
VMware Fusion6 years of experience

VMware Fusion is a great choice for IT pros

Rating: 8 out of 10
September 7, 2018
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
I use VMware Fusion primarily for my own use. My organization does not have many Macs deployed, but for my work it makes the most sense and gives me the best productivity. How...
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Verified user
Engineer
VMware Fusion5 years of experience

VMware Fusion is the best virtualization product for us as a VMware shop.

Rating: 10 out of 10
August 3, 2018
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
We use VMware Fusion for end-user Windows desktops for our IT department. We've also used VMware Fusion for our server development and testing. I love the fact that you can ea...
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Kurt Pritchett
Engineer - Information Technology
Senior System Engineer
Clayton County Public Schools
VMware Fusion4 years of experience

Virtualization for Macs!

Rating: 10 out of 10
April 12, 2018
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
VMWare Fusion allows Apple users to run a Windows or Linux operating system inside a virtual machine on their Macintosh. As a paid software it is much more stable than Virtual...
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Michael Timms
Technician - Information Technology
IT Specialist
iQor
VMware Fusion2 years of experience

Running Windows on A Mac

Rating: 8 out of 10
December 19, 2017
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
As Mac users it is nice to be able to test landing pages and websites on Internet Explorer. It also enables running a few programs that do not offer Mac versions.
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Verified user
Director
VMware Fusion4 years of experience

Fusion, make any Mac even more effective!

Rating: 9 out of 10
November 20, 2017
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
My previous employer used VMware fusion on our MacBooks which we needed to use because our customers also used MacBooks and we need them to test our software on Macs but those...
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Andrew Shannon
Administrator - Information Technology
Director of Technology
Packaging & Distribution Resources
VMware Fusion4 years of experience

Intuitive, Simple, and Quick!

Rating: 10 out of 10
November 14, 2017
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
VMware Fusion is being used by Mac OS users in our Platform Operations department. VMware Fusion provides us with the ability to quickly spin up development or testing environ...
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Zach Cooper
Employee - Information Technology
Site Reliability Engineer
AdvancedMD
VMware Fusion7 years of experience

VMware Analysis

Rating: 9 out of 10
May 16, 2017
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
It is being used by the entire organization. Generally we use Macs, so we use it for a Windows environment for programs that require that.
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Verified user
Technician
VMware Fusion2 years of experience
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Pricing

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VMware Fusion

VMware Fusion

N/A
Unavailable

What is VMware Fusion?

Vmware Fusion is a virtual user session software built to run Windows applications on Macintosh to run any Windows applications.

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

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Alternatives Pricing

Red Hat Virtualization (RHV)

Red Hat Virtualization (RHV)

$999
Per Year Per Hypervisor
What is Red Hat Virtualization (RHV)?

Red Hat Virtualization (formerly Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, broadly known as RHEV) is an enterprise level server and desktop virtualization solution. Red Hat Virtualization also contains the functionality of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization for Desktop in later editions of the platform.

V2 Cloud

V2 Cloud

$40
per installation
What is V2 Cloud?

Desktop virtualization doesn't have to be complicated. And V2 Cloud aims to make it simple. As a fully integrated Desktop-as-a-Service solution, V2 Cloud states they focus on speed and simplicity—so users can work faster from anywhere. V2 Cloud offers a free trial.

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Product Details

What is VMware Fusion?

VMware Fusion: Desktop Hypervisors for Mac

Software designed to give users the freedom to be more productive, agile and secure in a preferred environment. IT professionals, developers and businesses can use VMware Fusion desktop hypervisors for OS support, rock-solid stability and advanced features. With Fusion Player and Fusion Pro, run nearly any OS as VMs on Mac for development, testing, gaming or even simulating production clouds on local desktops.

VMware Fusion Video

What is VMware Fusion?

VMware Fusion Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Vmware Fusion is a virtual user session software built to run Windows applications on Macintosh to run any Windows applications.

Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 10.

The most common users of VMware Fusion are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(73)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

VMware Fusion has become a valuable tool for users across various industries and professions. Users have found it particularly useful in virtualizing firewalls, test systems, and OS-specific applications that are unavailable on Macs. It offers developers the ability to spin up Linux servers for early-stage development before pushing the code to an internet-facing dev server for client review. Additionally, users appreciate how VMware Fusion allows for easy maintenance of different VM images to safely and efficiently test various application environments. Furthermore, it has been used as a lab rat to test code against bleeding edge versions of PHP and popular web apps.

For businesses relying on Intel Macs, VMware Fusion proves essential by enabling them to run Windows-only business-related applications without the need for multiple physical hardware or rebooting. The software is also utilized by IT departments to test changes, such as group policy adjustments, before pushing them out. End-users in finance benefit from using VMware Fusion to seamlessly run different financial software on their Macs. Charter school management organizations have leveraged this software to virtualize MS Windows on iMacs for compatibility with Windows-only programs.

Overall, VMware Fusion fills the gap between Mac and Windows environments by allowing users to seamlessly run Windows-based software on their Macs, eliminating the need for separate computers. It provides a versatile solution for developers and quality analysts to test web development on Windows browsers like Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. Users appreciate its simplicity in dealing with disk partitioning, assigning RAM to new operating systems, and its feature-rich offerings like capturing snapshots and changing networks. By providing access to critical Windows applications while still enjoying the benefits of a Mac system, VMware Fusion has been enthusiastically adopted by organizations using predominantly Macs.

Intuitive User Interface: Reviewers have consistently praised the intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface of VMware Fusion. Many users have found it straightforward to locate and customize settings, such as adjusting the hard disk size. This user-friendly interface has made it convenient for users to manage their virtual machines without any hassle.

Snapshot Functionality: The option to create and restore snapshots in VMware Fusion has received high praise from a significant number of reviewers. Users have found this feature to be both useful and easy to use. It allows them to quickly revert back to a previous state if any issues arise during their work, providing them with peace of mind.

Seamless Integration with macOS: The seamless integration of VMware Fusion with macOS has been highly regarded by many users. They appreciate features like the ability to copy and paste between environments, run applications in full screen mode for an immersive experience, and launch apps directly from the Mac desktop. This tight integration enhances productivity and convenience for users working across different operating systems on their Mac computers.

Outdated User Interface: Some users have expressed that the user interface of VMware Fusion is in need of improvement, stating that it has taken a step back and lacks modern design elements.

Unreliable Remote Host Connections: Several users have reported experiencing spotty remote host connections with VMware Fusion, making it difficult for them to establish stable connections and causing frustration during remote work or collaboration.

Difficulty Configuring Boot Camp Install: Some users have found configuring a boot camp install to run inside macOS via VMware Fusion to be tricky. This process can lead to license activation issues for certain applications, adding complexity to the setup process.

Users commonly recommend VMware Fusion for several reasons. Firstly, they suggest using VMware Fusion as the best option for running Windows on a MacBook and as an alternative to having a second laptop. Users also believe that VMware Fusion is worth the license price due to the time-saving benefits it provides. Additionally, users recommend VMware Fusion for its simplicity and ease of use in setting up and running virtual machines. They praise its stability, hardware sharing capabilities, and ability to make Windows software compatible with a Mac. Ultimately, users suggest considering VMware Fusion if you need to run programs not available on MacOSX or if your company pays for a MacBook.

Reviews

(1-19 of 19)
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An excellent fusion of great virtualization features, high performance, and pricing that fits the bill for almost everyone.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
April 04, 2022
SS
Shion Song
Art Director & Web Developer
shion.ca (Marketing & Advertising, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
12 years of experience
Pros and Cons
  • The option for a perpetual license makes it a cost-effective option for occasional-use scenarios.
  • Features like "Unity" are well implemented to make windows applications appear as if they were native macOS apps.
  • Support for external USB devices (especially audio) runs more stable than Parallels.
  • Snapshots are helpful in quickly returning to a previous state if a setting or application causes issues.
  • The low power footprint makes it a great option for laptops on battery power. (Idle power consumption of the VM is negligible when measured at the wall using a Kill-A-watt).

If you need to run Windows apps on a Mac, VMware Fusion is great!

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
July 22, 2021
JC
Jim Chandler
Founder
360intentionality, LLC (Non-Profit Organization Management, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
4 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • Runs a full version of Windows on a Mac, allowing access to both environments.
  • Gives an immersive Windows experience when running the app in full screen. It is like having two computers in one.
  • Allows for copying and pasting from one environment to another, which is very handy.

Switch Between Software Development Environments With Ease

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
February 25, 2020
JD
Jonah Dempcy
Web & Mobile Developer
Bluefire Productions (Computer Software, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
14 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • Running isolated software development environments. Setting up environment variables and installing the right software versions for a given project can be time consuming and fragile. By doing all of this within a virtual disk image, we can easily switch between software environments without risk of breaking anything.
  • Running Windows-only programs on a Mac is invaluable. We use MacBook Pro laptops for our primary development environment. There are simply some programs we cannot run on OS X. Having VMWare Fusion is an invaluable asset for running Windows apps on Mac laptops on the go.

An excellent high performing product that makes desktop virtualization simple and cost effective

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
August 29, 2019
SS
Stefan Semo
Director of IT Infrastructure, Security & Compliance and Customer Service
Success Academy Charter Schools (Education Management, 201-500 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
4 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • Accelerates Windows applications on Mac very smoothly.
  • Great options for VM management down to CPU cores and host RAM utilization.
  • Very easy to update/upgrade with just a click of the mouse.

VMware Fusion is a great operation for running virtual machines on a Mac.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized
January 28, 2019
AP
Aaron Pinsker
Owner
Colorado Computer Care (Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
7 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • In general, VMware Fusion is very easy to set up and manage, with a fairly comprehensive step-by-step install process for different OSs.
  • For non-3D work, VMware is quite fast and can handle a number of CPU-demanding work loads.
  • VMware has tight integration with macOS through various ways of sharing files b/w virtual machines and the real machine, window management (such as using macOS' native full-screen mode and its Unity mode, wherein virtual applications appear to be running natively within the OS) and printer sharing.
  • VMware has a very good and reasonable licensing system - a single license is good for two computers, especially when compared to Parallels.
  • VMware Fusion is designed to work with other VMware products, such as VMware Workstation, ESC and vCenter Server. This allows VMware Fusion to create a virtual machine on a remote server.

VMware Fusion is a great choice for IT pros

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized
September 07, 2018
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
5 years of experience
Pros and Cons
  • Lightweight desktop hypervisor. Less invasive into the system than the main competitor.
  • Good performance. I don't notice VMs being any slower than the native OS.
  • Conveniently integrates with VMware ESXi servers. Good for working with standalone servers.

VMware Fusion is the best virtualization product for us as a VMware shop.

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
August 03, 2018
KP
Kurt Pritchett
Senior System Engineer
Clayton County Public Schools (Government Administration, 5001-10,000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
4 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • VMware Fusion provides an excellent platform for running Microsoft Windows on a Mac.
  • VMware Fusion provides a way for our dev/ops team to run isolated servers and applications.
  • VMware Fusion is also very intuitive for our users.
  • VMware Fusion has the ability to open apps from the Mac desktop.

Virtualization for Macs!

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
April 12, 2018
MT
Michael Timms
IT Specialist
iQor (Telecommunications, 10,001+ employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
2 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • Allows users to run Windows only applications on their Mac without switching devices.
  • Fusion is excellent for Windows image creation, and works exceptionally well on the Mac environment.
  • Assists a Mac user to virtualize Windows apps.
  • Excellent for installing Linux distros for penetration testing.

Running Windows on A Mac

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized
December 19, 2017
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
4 years of experience
Pros and Cons
  • Testing different operating systems versions
  • Running Windows on a Mac
  • Running Internet Explorer on a Mac

Fusion, make any Mac even more effective!

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
November 20, 2017
AS
Andrew Shannon
Director of Technology
Packaging & Distribution Resources (Education Management, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
4 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • VMware fusion lets you install Windows applications on MacOS computers.
  • VMware fusion lets you run fully in Windows if you want on a Mac computer, so if you are more comfortable with Windows, you can still get a Mac and slowly transition yourself to the MacOS if you want.
  • You no longer have to worry about incompatibilities with your Mac computer anymore if you have VMware Fusion.

VMware Analysis

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
May 16, 2017
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
2 years of experience
Pros and Cons
  • Resume virtual machine state
  • Create virtual machines
  • Flexibility

VMware Fusion-Best of both worlds!

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
April 10, 2017
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
1 year of experience
Pros and Cons
  • Running multiple OS with few clicks. For example, for a project I required windows and ubuntu OS. I was able to run both of them easily with VMware fusion.
  • Snapshots of OS. Easy recovery from snapshots. For example, I was doing my project in openstack kilo version but already did other things in juno version. So with the snapshot of juno version, I was all set with my previous work.

VMware Fusion is a legit tool for corporations.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
April 05, 2017
FT
Fatima Tipu
Enterprise Support Manager
Atlantic Media (Publishing, 501-1000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
4 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • Getting around the settings of VMware Fusion is very intuitive, I've never had trouble finding or tweaking a setting (hard disk increase for example).
  • Creating and restoring Snapshots is very easy and useful.
  • Installing and pulling in a previously created VM is very simple.

Fusion OS

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
November 03, 2016
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
6 years of experience
Pros and Cons
  • Ease of opening Windows apps.
  • No need for rebooting. Loading a new os.
  • It's fast and like you're using a native Windows box directly on Mac hardware.

Vmware Fusion From a Mac IT guy

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
September 13, 2016
GD
Gabriel Duff
Macintosh Service Desk Technician III
Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) (Information Technology and Services, 1001-5000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
VMware Fusion
8 years of experience
View profile
Pros and Cons
  • Quickly creates virtual machines for testing.
  • Easily allows management of VMs even in other VMware products.
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