Broadcom confirms the end of the free ESXi license, sparking confusion over what “free” now really means
Since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, many IT professionals, students, and home lab enthusiasts have been asking the same question: “Will we still have a free version of ESXi?” The short answer is: no, not in the way we used to.
With the release of ESXi 8.0 Update 3e, Broadcom has officially ended the perpetual free license for vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi), which had allowed thousands to explore and deploy VMware’s hypervisor technology at no cost.
What does “free” mean now?
The latest version of ESXi is still downloadable—but with a catch. This is not the traditional free version with limited features and no expiry. Instead, it’s the standard ESXi installer that enables a fully-featured evaluation mode for 60 days. After the trial period:
- 🔒 The host becomes locked down: no VMs can be started or managed.
- 💳 A paid license is required to restore full functionality.
- 🌐 The installer is now available only via the Broadcom Support Portal, requiring registration.
So, while the installer is technically free to download, it’s not a return to the true “free ESXi” model.
What are the options now for budget-conscious users?
Broadcom’s shift leaves home lab users, educators, and small businesses looking elsewhere for low-cost virtualization solutions. Here are the most popular alternatives:
- ⏳ 60-Day Evaluation: Useful for temporary testing but not suitable for long-term use.
- 🐧 Proxmox VE: A powerful open-source platform with an intuitive web UI, frequent updates, and strong community support.
- 💻 Microsoft Hyper-V: Built into Windows Pro and Server editions, offering reliable virtualization without additional licensing.
- 🌍 XCP-ng: A robust Xen-based virtualization platform with free access and optional commercial support.
- 🧰 oVirt / RHV: Ideal for more advanced enterprise-like setups, backed by the open-source community.
Why did Broadcom make this move?
Broadcom is reshaping VMware’s portfolio to align with a subscription-first business model, focusing on large enterprise clients. The move away from perpetual licenses—free or paid—is part of a broader effort to simplify offerings and boost recurring revenue.
This shift may benefit big IT departments, but it leaves behind a huge community of learners and small-scale users who relied on ESXi’s free access.
Final thoughts: It’s not free ESXi—it’s a time-limited trial
The myth of a returning free ESXi is just that—a myth. While a download exists, it’s only a trial, not a perpetually usable tool for labs or small infrastructures.
If you’re planning a homelab, training setup, or low-cost virtual environment, now is the time to explore open-source and alternative platforms. They offer better long-term flexibility—and no surprise license wall after 60 days.
TL;DR: VMware ESXi is no longer free as it used to be. What remains is a short-term evaluation mode—useful for demos, but not for building the future of your IT projects.
📝 Update: Not All ESXi 8.0 U3e Builds Are the Same – A “Hidden” Free Version Exists
After publishing this article, new information has surfaced that helps clarify the confusion around the current status of VMware ESXi.
While it is true that Broadcom has officially discontinued the perpetual free license of ESXi, there are two separate builds of ESXi 8.0 U3e available, and one of them does include a built-in free license:
- Build 24674464 – This is the standard build that activates a 60-day evaluation mode with all features unlocked, but requires a paid subscription once the trial ends.
- Build 24677879 – This version contains an embedded free license key with no expiration. It offers functionality similar to the classic free ESXi license, albeit with limitations.
⚠️ The confusion seems to stem from the fact that most users and reviewers tested the evaluation-only build (24674464), overlooking the second option.
🔐 Important: Access to either build still requires registration via the Broadcom Support Portal (BSP), and the process is not as transparent or public-facing as it used to be under VMware’s previous model.
So, while it’s true that the landscape has changed—and the classic “download and go” free ESXi is gone—a version of ESXi with a built-in, non-expiring license technically still exists, albeit with more hoops to jump through.
As always, we recommend verifying the exact build number before deployment and keeping an eye on future policy shifts as Broadcom continues to reshape VMware’s licensing structure.
Source: Cloud News
