Ease of use. When users receive a package in OVF format, they do not have to unzip files, execute binaries, or convert disk formats. Adding a vApp can be as simple as typing a URL and clicking Install.

Virtual hardware validation. OVF supports fast and robust hardware validation. You do not have to install a complete virtual machine before determining whether it is compatible with an ESXi host (for example, because it uses IDE virtual disks).

Metadata inclusion. Additional metadata, such as an end-user license agreement, can be packaged with the OVF and displayed before installation.

Optimized download from the Internet. Large virtual disks are compressed for fast download and to reduce disk space for large template libraries.