Broadcom has brought back the free edition of VMware ESXi with the launch of ESXi 8.0 Update 3e (Build 24674464), released in April 2025.
This move represents a notable shift in strategy, reversing Broadcom’s earlier decision to eliminate the free ESXi version after acquiring VMware—a change that had previously driven many users to explore other virtualization solutions.
The update was subtly mentioned in the official release notes: “VMware vSphere Hypervisor version 8, an entry-level hypervisor, is now offered by Broadcom at no cost. It is available for download via the Broadcom Support portal.”
ESXi 8.0 Update 3e: Key Features and Known Constraints:
The free edition of ESXi 8.0 Update 3e (Build 24674464) is tailored for non-commercial use cases such as home labs, testing setups, and small-scale deployments. It brings a variety of enhancements aimed at simplifying deployment and improving performance.
VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e Released for Free
Notable Improvements:
Built-In Licensing: The embedded license removes the need for manual license key generation, streamlining the installation process.
Updated vSphere Cluster Service (vCLS): Now leveraging vSphere Pod technology for greater reliability, though users may need to modify automation scripts to accommodate the change.
Improved Hardware Compatibility: Adds support for CDC-NCM, enabling integration with HPE Gen12 iLO Virtual NIC and Agentless Management Service (AMS).
Enhanced Quick Boot: Includes driver support for Intel vRAN, Platform Monitoring, Data Center Graphics, and AMD’s Instinct MI accelerators.
With Advanced Storage and Networking, you can implement Active-Active Metro Storage Clustering (vMSC) with Virtual Volumes, and you can support NFS v4.1 datastores Connect.
Limitations to Consider:
VM Cap Limit: Each virtual machine is restricted to a maximum of 8 vCPUs.
No Centralized Management: Lacks integration with vCenter Server, preventing unified management of multiple hosts.
Backup & Security Restrictions: Third-party backup tools (such as Veeam) and virtual TPMs (vTPMs) are not supported, which may affect compatibility with modern Windows VMs and security setups.
Accessing ESXi 8.0 Update 3e:
Step1: Log In support.broadcom.com
Step2: Download the ISO: Go to “My Downloads” –> “Free Software Downloads” –> select “VMware vSphere Hypervisor 8.0U3e,” accept the terms, and download.
Step3: Security updates and patches must be applied manually through the command-line interface, as Broadcom uses custom repository URLs not linked to standard update channels.
Conclusion:
Broadcom’s decision to bring back the free version of ESXi 8 appears to be a calculated effort to rebuild trust within the virtualization community. However, the long-term success of this move will depend on how effectively Broadcom improves the user experience and shows consistent support. In the meantime, this no-cost hypervisor presents a solid chance for users to explore VMware’s powerful virtualization features without financial barriers.