Is VMware ESX free?
Free ESXi (Discontinued) vs.

VMware ESXi used to have two versions: free and paid. The free version used the same installation method, meaning you got the enterprise solution with certain features locked out. However, the free version was discontinued in 2024.The free version of ESXi, often referred to as Free ESXi or simply as free ESXi, is available for download from VMware's official website. It serves as an excellent entry point for those who are new to virtualization or have limited requirements.Hey Everyone… With the recent announcement of Broadcom changing their offered portfolio… As of today Feb 12, 2024, VMware vSphere Hypervisor (free edition) is no longer available on the VMware website.

Does VMware ESXi require a license : ESXi hosts are licensed with vSphere licenses. Each vSphere license has a certain capacity that you can use to license multiple physical CPUs on ESXi hosts. Starting with vSphere 7.0, one CPU license covers one CPU with up to 32 cores. If а CPU has more than 32 cores, you need additional CPU licenses.

How to get ESXi license for free

How to Download and License the Free Version of ESXi 6.7

  1. Navigate to VMware and select Download Now.
  2. Register for the download when prompted.
  3. After registration you will be redirected to the license and download page:
  4. Make a note of your license key (This is for the free version)

Which is better Proxmox or ESXi : Proxmox offers cost-effective flexibility, especially for small to medium-sized businesses, while ESXi shines in larger enterprises requiring top-notch performance, reliability, and an extensive ecosystem.

As a type-1 hypervisor, ESXi is not a software application that is installed on an operating system (OS); instead, it includes and integrates vital OS components, such as a kernel. After version 4.1 (released in 2010), VMware renamed ESX to ESXi.

In the latest development following Broadcom's November 2023 acquisition of VMware, the company has decided to kill off the free version of VMware's ESXi hypervisor.

Is ESXi free vs Hyper-V free

Both ESXi and Hyper-V are free to download, and can be used for free without limitation on the CPUs, RAM or storage on the host. But while the hypervisor itself is free, the management layer is provided at extra charge.All you need to do is create a free account in the Customer Connect portal. The license you will receive is 100% identical to the paid version but with some software limitations. If you already have a free license key for an older version, you can generate a new key for ESXi 7.0.60 day

After installing ESXi, a full-featured 60 day evaluation period is started. You can use all features available for the Enterprise Plus edition during the 60-day evaluation period. If you apply your license before the evaluation period expires, you can only use features allowed by your license.

Proxmox itself is completely free to download and deploy without any cost. But a subscription offers an added level of stability to any node used in a production environment.

Should I use Proxmox or VMware : While these two offer free options, Proxmox is open-source and has garnered a trusted following among home server enthusiasts and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Meanwhile, VMware poses the best choice for enterprise loads of work with leading features and wide customer support.

Which is better Hyper V or VMware ESX : If you prioritize industry support, robust management tools, and a wide range of features, VMware and its ESXi offering is the suitable choice. On the other hand, if you have a Windows-based environment, prefer seamless integration with Microsoft technologies, and cost-effectiveness, Hyper-V can be a viable option.

What is the free alternative to ESXi

Proxmox has emerged as a popular alternative to VMware ESXi due to its robust features and cost-effectiveness. Organizations looking to transition to a free hypervisor with enterprise-grade capabilities often turn to Proxmox for its comprehensive virtualization management tools.

VMware Workstation Player is free for personal, non-commercial use (business and nonprofit use is considered commercial use). If you would like to learn about virtual machines or use them at home, you are welcome to use VMware Workstation Player for free.Both ESXi and Hyper-V are free to download, and can be used for free without limitation on the CPUs, RAM or storage on the host. But while the hypervisor itself is free, the management layer is provided at extra charge.

Is ESXi 7 no longer free : The announcement reads: “VMware vSphere Hypervisor (free edition) is no longer available on the VMware website,” confirming that ESXi 7. x and 8.