Broadcom has officially reintroduced the free version of VMware ESXi with the release of ESXi 8.0 Update 3e (Build 24674464) on April 10, 2025.

This marks a significant policy reversal after Broadcom discontinued the free ESXi offering following its acquisition of VMware, a move that had pushed many users toward alternative virtualization platforms.

The announcement was quietly made in the official release notes: “Broadcom makes available the VMware vSphere Hypervisor version 8, an entry-level hypervisor. You can download it free of charge from the Broadcom Support portal.”

This unexpected development has generated considerable excitement throughout the virtualization community, particularly among home lab enthusiasts and smaller organizations relying on cost-effective solutions.

What’s New in ESXi 8.0 Update 3e

The latest update introduces several important features and improvements. Most notably, ESXi 8.0 Update 3e supports the Communication Device Class Network Control Model (CDC-NCM) in the ESXi USB driver, enhancing compatibility with HPE Gen12 iLO Virtual NIC and improving interoperability with various HPE management tools.

Additionally, ESXi 8.0 Update 3e extends vSphere Quick Boot support to multiple drivers, including:

Intel vRAN Baseband Driver
Intel Platform Monitoring Technology Driver
Intel Data Center Graphics Driver
AMD Instinct MI Series Driver

This release also addresses numerous issues across different categories. According to an analysis by industry expert David Pasek, the update includes 34 fixes in the storage category, 12 fixes in compute, 7 fixes in networking, 6 fixes in manageability, and 2 fixes in security.

The significant focus on storage improvements reflects the critical importance of storage reliability in virtualized environments.

Key Differences from Previous Free Version

Unlike the previous free ESXi versions that required users to register for a license key, ESXi 8.0 Update 3e comes with a built-in license. As noted by VMware experts, “it doesn’t run without a license for 60 days in evaluation mode now it has an ESXi free license”.

However, the same limitations apply as before – users cannot add the free version to the VMware vCenter Server or use third-party backup products like Veeam Backup and Replication4.

The reintroduction has sparked mixed reactions within the VMware community. While many celebrate free ESXi’s return, others remain cautious about Broadcom’s long-term commitment.

As one solution architect commented, “the trust was broken” between Broadcom and the VMware community, raising questions about how many users will migrate back to ESXi.

Those interested in trying ESXi 8.0 Update 3e can download it directly from the Broadcom Support Portal. Registration with Broadcom is required to access the ISO file.

The complete release notes are available on the Broadcom website for users who want to review all changes and improvements in detail.

This unexpected reversal by Broadcom may represent an effort to rebuild relationships with the VMware community and maintain ESXi’s position in the competitive virtualization market, particularly as alternatives like Proxmox have gained popularity as a free option during ESXi’s absence.

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