Do not pay for ESXi 6.5. Use the free version of the current release (8.0) or pay for VMUG if you need advanced features. If this is for a business, budget for an upgrade to vSphere 8.
For a basic standalone server, expect to pay at least $800–$1,000 per year for a supported license that grants rights to legacy versions. 4. Risks of Running ESXi 6.5 in 2026 vmware esxi 6.5 price
You cannot buy a new, standalone license for version 6.5 directly from Broadcom or authorized partners. Licenses are now sold as part of modern subscription bundles (like vSphere Standard or Foundation) that typically entitle you to use older versions, provided you already have the installation media. 2. Historical Pricing Structure (Pre-Broadcom) Do not pay for ESXi 6