Vmware Esxi 8 Free License Link -

Suddenly, the rumors started swirling. Is the free license dead? Did Broadcom just torch the homelab community?

Then Broadcom acquired VMware.

Broadcom has signaled that the free hypervisor is a legacy headache they don't want to support. Their focus is on large subscription customers. vmware esxi 8 free license

If you have a working ESXi 7 free host with a valid key, stick with it until your hardware dies. If you are building a new server, skip ESXi 8. Install Proxmox VE today and avoid the licensing headache tomorrow. Suddenly, the rumors started swirling

Let’s cut through the noise. Here is the honest state of the in 2025. The Short Answer Yes, a "Free" version of ESXi 8 still exists. But no, you cannot get a new license key for it the way you used to. Then Broadcom acquired VMware

If you have an existing free license key from the vSphere 7 era, it might work on ESXi 8.0 Update 3. If you don't have one, you are currently out of luck for the official "Free Hypervisor" product.