Broadcom regains free access to the VMware hypervisor after months of uncertainty, although it does not dispel doubts about its long-term future.
After months of unease in the tech community, VMware ESXi is once again available for free. Broadcom confirms this in the official release notes for vSphere ESXi 8.0 Update 3e, which details that the hypervisor can be downloaded at no cost through its support portal after completing a compliance form.
This decision marks a shift from the controversial withdrawal of the free version in early 2024, when Broadcom completed its acquisition of VMware and initiated a restructuring of licenses that affected both individual users and small businesses and training centers. The elimination of perpetual licenses and the push towards corporate subscription models caused significant discomfort among system administrators, educators, and virtualization enthusiasts.
What’s New in ESXi 8.0 U3e?
The update not only restores the free version of the hypervisor but also includes significant improvements in compatibility and performance, especially tailored for next-generation hardware:
- Support for the CDC-NCM protocol (Communication Device Class – Network Control Model) in the ESXi USB controller, enhancing interoperability with HPE Gen12 servers and their agentless management tools such as AMS, iLORest, iSUT, Intelligent Provisioning, and DPUs.
- Expanded compatibility with vSphere Quick Boot to new drivers:
- Intel vRAN Baseband Driver
- Intel Platform Monitoring Technology Driver
- Intel Data Center Graphics Driver
- AMD Instinct MI Series Driver
These additions enhance ESXi’s ability to adapt to modern infrastructures while maintaining operational efficiency in scenarios where reboot time is critical.
The Return of the Free Hypervisor: A Community Demand
For years, the free version of VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) has been an essential tool in homelabs, educational environments, and small virtualization deployments. Although limited in advanced features (such as vMotion, HA, or DRS), it allowed for the creation and management of virtual machines on a single physical host, accessible via the vSphere client without needing a paid license.
Its temporary disappearance in 2024 left a void that even open-source alternatives could not completely fill, especially among those seeking an identical production environment for training or testing. Now, with the reintroduction of free access, Broadcom seems to have responded to some of those needs.
The download is available from the free products section on the Broadcom portal.
Renewed Confidence or Temporary Truce?
Despite the widespread relief, the user community remains cautious. The withdrawal and subsequent reinstatement of the free hypervisor within a few months have highlighted the volatility of business decisions following Broadcom’s acquisition. There is currently no public commitment ensuring the continuation of this free version beyond the current update.
Given the increasingly corporate account-focused approach, and the replacement of perpetual licenses with subscriptions throughout the VMware ecosystem, it cannot be ruled out that Broadcom may modify its strategy again in the near future. Therefore, many administrators recommend downloading the current version, keeping it, and being prepared for possible sudden changes in access policy.
Conclusion
The return of the VMware ESXi 8 free hypervisor is good news for the technical community, especially for those looking to explore, test, or learn in controlled environments. However, this return does not erase the uncertainty generated by recent business movements.
In a context where trust is built with stability and commitment, Broadcom has taken a positive step, but there is still a way to go to fully regain the support of VMware’s most loyal users.
Official source: vSphere ESXi 8.0 U3e Release Notes.
Reference: System Administration