Short answer: Yes, VMware ESXi is free again. Broadcom offers VMware vSphere Hypervisor based on ESXi 8.0 Update 3e as a free download from the Broadcom Support Portal (My Downloads > Free Software Downloads). The license is embedded in the ISO, so no key is needed. Limits: 2 physical CPUs per host, 8 vCPUs per VM, no vCenter, no vMotion/HA/DRS, no backup APIs and no Broadcom support.
Is VMware ESXi free in 2026?
Broadcom ended the free ESXi offering in 2024 as part of the move to subscription licensing, then reintroduced it with ESXi 8.0 Update 3e in April 2025. The authoritative source is Broadcom KB 399823: VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e now available as a Free Hypervisor. The KB names ESXi 8.0 Update 3e (build 24677879) as the free release. Broadcom states that 8.0 U3e is a fully production-ready build whether it runs with a paid or a free license. The free license simply removes features and support.
When I checked (September 2026), I found no Broadcom announcement of a free edition of ESX 9.0. The free offer is ESXi 8 only. Before you download, check the Free Software Downloads list in the portal for what is currently published.
Free ESXi 8 limitations
| Item | Free vSphere Hypervisor 8 |
|---|---|
| Physical CPUs per host | Up to 2 |
| vCPUs per VM | Up to 8 |
| Number of VMs | Unlimited, within hardware limits |
| Management | vSphere Host Client (web UI on the host) |
| vCenter Server | Cannot be managed by vCenter |
| vMotion, HA, DRS | Not available |
| VADP-based backup (Veeam, etc.) | Not available |
| Management APIs | Not supported; may return read-only information |
| Broadcom support | None |
| License key | Embedded in the download; no key entry needed |
In practice: the API restriction also affects tools that write to the host through the vSphere API, such as PowerCLI automation or Terraform providers. Plan to manage the host through the Host Client and the ESXi shell. For shell work, see my esxcli commands for ESXi 8.0 reference.
How to download free ESXi 8
- Log in at
support.broadcom.com(register a free Broadcom account if you do not have one). - Open My Downloads.
- Click the box Free Software Downloads available HERE.
- Search for VMware vSphere Hypervisor.
- Accept the terms and download the ESXi 8.0 U3e ISO.
The portal may also ask you to complete your profile and the trade-compliance form before downloads are enabled. Looking for a paid ESXi build instead (7.0, 8.0 or 9.x, including patches)? See the ESXi download list with every build.
Install and first steps
- Check that your hardware is on the Broadcom Compatibility Guide for ESXi 8.0, especially the NIC and storage controller. An unsupported consumer NIC is a frequent reason the installer finds no network adapter.
- Write the ISO to a USB stick or mount it through the server’s out-of-band console (iDRAC, iLO, CIMC) and install to a local disk.
- Set the management IP in the DCUI and open
https://<host-ip>/uito reach the Host Client. - Confirm the license under Manage > Licensing, then create a datastore and your first VM.
- Back up the host configuration after the initial setup. The free license blocks VADP backups of VMs, but a host-config backup still works from the shell; see Backup and restore ESXi host configuration.
When free ESXi is the wrong choice
Free ESXi suits a single home-lab host, learning, or an isolated test box. If you need vCenter, clustering, supported backups or vendor support, you need a paid vSphere or VCF subscription. For how the paid editions differ, see the vSphere 9.0 product line comparison. For a lab that needs vCenter, VMUG Advantage and vExpert program licenses are the usual routes.
Further reading
- Broadcom KB 399823: VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e now available as a Free Hypervisor
- Broadcom TechDocs: VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e Release Notes
- Gabi Nunes: Free VMware ESXi 8 (original post)
