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WCRC

WCRC Researched Brand · World's Most Powerful Brands 2026 · Second Global Mega Edition

VMware

VMware is a virtualisation and cloud software brand, now owned by Broadcom. It has been a long-time leader in virtualisation, with a strong business-to-business web and community presence. Broadcom's infrastructure software segment, which is mostly VMware but also includes CA and Symantec, generated US$27.0bn in fiscal 2025, and the parent is highly profitable. WCRC's research found its strongest dimensions were financial health and industry standing. Its media coverage since 2024 has been dominated by Broadcom's licensing changes and customer backlash. Customer sentiment turned sharply negative after the move to subscriptions and price rises, and the European cloud providers' group CISPE filed a complaint, with lawsuits over licensing terms.

Region
Americas
Country
United States
WCRC research
Research Matrix screening

What WCRC found

  1. Long-time leader in virtualisation, with a strong business-to-business web and community presence.

  2. Broadcom's infrastructure software segment, mostly VMware, made US$27.0bn in fiscal 2025.

  3. Backed by a highly profitable parent in Broadcom.

What holds it back: Customer sentiment turned sharply negative after Broadcom moved to subscriptions and raised prices, bringing a European complaint and lawsuits over licensing terms.

Status in the 2026 edition

VMware was screened on the six-dimension WCRC Research Matrix for the 2026 edition. It is not among the 100 ranked brands.

WCRC publishes scores only for the 100 ranked brands. How WCRC ranks brands.

Most powerful Technology & Digital brands

#1 Apple, #3 Google, #5 Nvidia, #7 Microsoft, #11 Samsung, #22 Tencent (WeChat)

Questions people ask

Is VMware in the WCRC World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026?

VMware was screened on the six-dimension WCRC Research Matrix for the 2026 edition. It is not among the 100 ranked brands.

Which Technology & Digital brands are ranked in 2026?

The most powerful Technology & Digital brands in the 2026 ranking are Apple (#1), Google (#3), Nvidia (#5), Microsoft (#7), Samsung (#11), Tencent (WeChat) (#22).