Windows Subsystem for Linux vs VMware Workstation Pro: catalog facts
 Windows Subsystem for Linux |  VMware Workstation Pro |
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Free Free and open source under the MIT licence, published by Microsoft. Included with Windows. |
Freemium Free for personal use since 2024. Commercial use still requires a paid Broadcom licence. |
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Windows |
Windows, Linux |
- Runs Linux command-line tools unmodified, with no virtual machine overhead or dual boot
- WSLg lets Linux graphical applications appear as ordinary Windows windows
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- Snapshots, cloning, nested virtualisation and virtual networking are mature and reliable, and Broadcom made it free for…
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- Requires Windows virtualisation features to be enabled, which conflicts with some other software
- Filesystem performance across the Windows and Linux boundary is poor; keep files on the correct side
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- It is closed-source commercial software, commercial use still needs a paid licence, and downloads now require a…
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Downloadable app |
Downloadable app |
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Open source |
Closed source |
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License: MIT |
License not stated |
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No account needed |
Not stated if an account is needed |
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Works offline |
Not stated if it works offline |
Checked September 21, 2026 | Checked September 22, 2026 |
Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.
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