VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e now available as a Free Hypervisor

Broadcom have made VMware ESXi free available as a hypervisor. But it’s only for ESXi 8.0 Update 3e->. There is currently no plan for VMware ESXi 9 to make this free.

Features included in the free version:

• Run unlimited VMs within hardware limits
• Up to 2 physical CPUs supported per host
• 8 vCPUs per virtual machine
• Access to vSphere Host Client for web-based host management
• Basic hardware health and logging

Limitations in the free license:

• Cannot be managed by vCenter
• No access to vMotion, DRS, HA, VADP-based backups
• Usage of API’s to manage hosts is not supported, and may only provide read-only information.
• No official Broadcom support 

How to download Free ESXi 8.0 Update 3e:

1. Log in to Broadcom Support Portal
2. Go to My Downloads
3. Click on the box that says “Free Software Downloads available HERE”
4. Search for “VMware vSphere Hypervisor”
5. Click “I agree to the Terms and Conditions ” and download the ISO
6. Once installed, the free license is embedded in the software download itself — no separate key required. 

Source

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/399823/vmware-esxi-80-update-3e-now-available-a.html