Download Free Fixed — Esxi

Q: Can I upgrade from the free version to the paid version? A: Yes, you can upgrade from the free version to the paid version by purchasing a license.

Despite major licensing shifts following the Broadcom acquisition, a free version of (specifically version 8.0 Update 3e and later) remains available as a standalone, entry-level hypervisor. While Broadcom initially discontinued the free tier in early 2024, they quietly reinstated it in mid-2025 to support enthusiasts, students, and home-lab users. How to Download ESXi for Free (Step-by-Step) esxi download free

| Product | Best for | Free Tier | |---------|----------|------------| | | Home labs, small business | Fully free, no feature limits, built-in backups, clustering | | XCP-ng + Xen Orchestra | Enterprise-like features free | Fully free, has backup & pooling | | Microsoft Hyper-V Server | Windows shops | Free, but management via PowerShell or Windows admin center | | KVM (via Cockpit or virt-manager) | Linux purists | Fully free | Q: Can I upgrade from the free version to the paid version

Once you've downloaded ESXi, follow these steps to install and configure it: While Broadcom initially discontinued the free tier in

But here is the catch that most tutorials gloss over:

: Look for a specific notification or box labeled "Free Software Downloads available HERE" .