Last updated: June 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: To build real VMware skills, start with Complete VMware vSphere ESXi & vCenter Administration (4.7★, 14,300+ ratings, updated June 2026) — it is the best-reviewed, most-current course on the platform. When you are ready to certify, the target is the VCP-DCV (exam 2V0-21.23 on vSphere 8), and Clear and Simple vSphere 8 Professional is the cleanest exam-focused prep. One caveat worth knowing up front: Broadcom now owns VMware and has reshaped the certification and official-training program.
- Best overall course: Complete vSphere ESXi & vCenter Administration (Udemy)
- Best certification prep: Clear and Simple vSphere 8 Professional (VCP-DCV)
- Target certification: VCP-DCV (VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization)
- Pricing: Udemy $13–$70 on sale; VCP-DCV exam ~$250; official Broadcom ICM training runs into the thousands
VMware skills remain in steady demand — vSphere still runs a large share of enterprise data centers, and a VCP-DCV is a recognized way to prove you can administer it. The challenge for learners is that affordable, current training and the official certification path are now two separate things, especially since Broadcom’s acquisition reorganized VMware’s programs. This guide ranks the courses that genuinely prepare you — verified live and current — and explains the certification path honestly, including what changed and what a VCP-DCV actually costs.
| Course | Best for | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete vSphere ESXi & vCenter Administration | Best overall / hands-on skills | 4.7 (14,300+) | ~$13–$70 |
| Clear and Simple vSphere 8 Professional (VCP-DCV) | Certification prep | 4.6 (2,600+) | ~$13–$70 |
| VCP-DCV 2V0-21.23 Practice Tests | Final exam readiness | Updated 2026 | ~$13–$50 |
| Official Broadcom ICM training | Employer-funded, instructor-led | — | $$$$ (thousands) |
The best VMware courses in 2026
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1. Complete VMware vSphere ESXi & vCenter Administration — best overall
This is the course we would hand a new VMware administrator. With a 4.7 rating across more than 14,300 reviews and a June 2026 update, it is both the most-trusted and most-current vSphere course available, and it teaches the skills the job actually requires: installing and configuring ESXi, managing vCenter, building clusters, vMotion, HA and DRS, storage, and networking. It is comprehensive enough to carry you from beginner to confident administrator, and it doubles as the foundation for VCP-DCV study. If you buy one VMware course, buy this one.
2. Clear and Simple vSphere 8 Professional (VCP-DCV) — best certification prep
When your goal is specifically to pass the VCP-DCV exam (2V0-21.23 on vSphere 8), this course (4.6★, 2,600+ ratings, updated August 2025) is built around the exam blueprint rather than general administration. It is concise, well-organized, and maps to the current objectives — ideal once you already have hands-on vSphere experience from the course above or from your job. Pair it with a practice-exam pack before booking the test.
3. VCP-DCV 2V0-21.23 Practice Tests — best for final exam readiness
No one should walk into the VCP-DCV cold. This practice-test pack (updated for 2026) mirrors the 2V0-21.23 format so you can find your weak areas before you pay the ~$250 exam fee. Treat practice exams as a diagnostic, not a memorization shortcut — if you can consistently score in the high-80s across the question bank, you are ready.
vSphere, ESXi and vCenter: the components, briefly
If you are new to VMware, the terminology can be the first hurdle, so here is the short version. ESXi is the bare-metal hypervisor — the software you install directly on a physical server to run virtual machines. vCenter Server is the management layer that controls many ESXi hosts from one console and unlocks the enterprise features (vMotion live migration, High Availability, Distributed Resource Scheduler). vSphere is the product suite that bundles ESXi and vCenter together — so “learning vSphere” means learning to run both. The VCP-DCV exam tests exactly this stack, which is why the administration course above is the natural starting point: it teaches the components in the order you will actually use them.
How to practice: build a home lab
VMware is a hands-on skill, and watching videos alone will not get you through the VCP-DCV. The most effective learners build a home lab: ESXi installs free for evaluation, and you can run a nested lab inside VMware Workstation or on a single mini-PC with enough RAM (32–64 GB is comfortable). Practising real tasks — standing up vCenter, configuring a cluster, triggering a vMotion — is what turns exam knowledge into job-ready competence. The administration course above includes lab walkthroughs you can follow along with; treat them as exercises, not lectures.
The VMware certification path explained (and what Broadcom changed)
VMware’s certification ladder has three main rungs:
- VCTA (Associate) — an entry-level credential covering core concepts; optional but useful if you are brand new.
- VCP-DCV (Professional) — the credential most employers mean by “VMware certified.” The current exam is 2V0-21.23, built on vSphere 8.
- VCAP / VCDX (Advanced & Expert) — for senior architects and designers; pursued years into a virtualization career.
The honest caveat: since Broadcom acquired VMware, the official training and certification program has been reorganized, official course pricing has risen, and some free training that learners once relied on has been curtailed. The certifications themselves remain valuable and recognized — but the affordable route to preparing for them is now third-party courses like those above, with the official Broadcom instructor-led classes reserved mostly for employer-funded learners. Verify the current exam code and requirements on Broadcom’s official certification page before you book, since the program is still in flux.
Do you need a VMware certification?
If you work in or want to move into infrastructure, systems administration, or virtualization engineering, a VCP-DCV is a strong, recognized signal — especially at enterprises and managed-service providers that run vSphere at scale. It is less essential if you are heading toward pure cloud-native roles, where Kubernetes and the major cloud platforms matter more. A practical middle path: build hands-on vSphere skills (course #1), earn the VCP-DCV if your target employers ask for it, and pair it with cloud and container skills to stay broadly employable.
Udemy courses vs. official Broadcom training
Official, instructor-led Broadcom courses (such as the vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage class) are thorough but expensive — typically thousands of dollars, and usually paid for by an employer. For self-funded learners, the affordable, self-paced courses above cover the same exam objectives at a fraction of the cost. If you prefer subscription video libraries, Pluralsight and CBT Nuggets both maintain respected VMware paths; we mention them unlinked because their VMware-specific value is real even though they are not part of our recommendations here. For most people building toward a VCP-DCV on their own dime, a top Udemy course plus a practice-exam pack is the best value by a wide margin.
How much does VMware certification cost?
The VCP-DCV exam itself runs roughly $250. Self-paced preparation via Udemy adds $13–$70 per course on sale, so you can realistically certify for under $350 out of pocket if you self-study. Official Broadcom instructor-led training is the expensive option — often $4,000+ — and historically VMware required a training course to earn first-time certification, so confirm the current prerequisite on Broadcom’s site, as this requirement has shifted under the new ownership.
RECOMMENDED PARTNER — UDEMY
Master vSphere administration — then certify
Complete vSphere ESXi & vCenter Administration — 4.7★ from 14,300+ learners, updated June 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best VMware certification?
For most professionals, the VCP-DCV (VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization) is the credential employers recognize. The current exam is 2V0-21.23 on vSphere 8. The VCTA is an optional associate-level starting point, and VCAP/VCDX are advanced credentials for senior architects.
Can I get VMware certified by self-studying?
Yes, though Broadcom has historically required an official training course for first-time certification — a requirement that has shifted under new ownership, so verify it on Broadcom’s certification page. For exam preparation, a strong Udemy course plus a practice-exam pack is the most cost-effective route and covers the objectives thoroughly.
How much does the VCP-DCV exam cost?
The exam fee is roughly $250. Self-paced Udemy preparation adds $13–$70 per course on sale. Official Broadcom instructor-led training is far more expensive, often $4,000 or more, and is usually employer-funded.
Is VMware still worth learning after the Broadcom acquisition?
Yes. vSphere still runs a large share of enterprise data centers, and VMware administration skills remain in demand. The acquisition changed pricing and program structure, not the underlying technology’s relevance. Pairing VMware skills with cloud and container knowledge is the most future-proof approach.