Broadcom Brings Back Free VMware ESXi 8, But Tells No One

Broadcom has resumed the free versions of VMware vSphere Hypervisor, which it stopped distributing in 2024 as part of a change in VMware’s business model following its acquisition. The release notes for VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e say that this entry-level version of the hypervisor can be downloaded for free from Broadcom’s support site and installed for evaluation purposes.

To download the hypervisor, go to the VMware vSphere Hypervisor section on the support portal page, where you need to select Release 8.0U3e. After that, you can download the ISO, accepting the terms of use of the hypervisor. You may also need to update your contact information to access the download. However, those who needed a product of this class have probably already found a suitable free solution and transferred their workloads to it.

Image source: Broadcom

In total, Broadcom closed more than 50 products after the acquisition of VMware, including free ones. However, VMware Fusion Pro and Workstation Pro, for example, on the contrary, became free. However, in general, the abrupt change in licensing policy and its serious tightening – in particular, the increase in the minimum number of cores for licensing from 16 to 72 pcs. – encourage small and medium-sized clients to look for alternatives. Gartner even notes that such a policy launched the processes of devirtualization and revirtualization.