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Over the past year, VMware’s transition under Broadcom has brought major changes to how users download and evaluate ESXi. The familiar free “VMware Hypervisor (ESXi)” license is gone, and the download process has moved behind Broadcom’s Enterprise portal.
For IT professionals, students, and home lab builders, this sudden shift has caused confusion. But the good news is: you can still download the latest ESXi trial version — you just need to follow the updated Broadcom process.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what changed and how you can access ESXi today.
1. VMware Free ESXi is No Longer Available
Under Broadcom, the old free ESXi license has been discontinued.
Instead, Broadcom now provides:
A 60-day fully functional evaluation trial of ESXi
Access through Broadcom’s Support and Licensing portal (SPS)
Bundled offerings under VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware vSphere Foundation
This means you now need a Broadcom account to access the download.
2. Create or Log In to Your Broadcom Account
To download ESXi, start by visiting the Broadcom Support Portal.
You’ll need to:
Create a Broadcom login (if you don’t already have one)
Verify your email
Accept the new terms for VMware downloads
Once logged in, you gain access to software trials, documentation, and support resources.
After logging in:
Go to Support > Software Downloads
Choose VMware Cloud Foundation or VMware vSphere Foundation
Select vSphere, then choose your ESXi version (such as ESXi 8.x)
Click Download Trial
You will receive the ISO file for installation, along with the standard 60-day evaluation license that enables all features.
4. What You Get in the ESXi Evaluation
The 60-day ESXi trial unlocks full enterprise features, including:
vCenter Server integration
vMotion and Storage vMotion
High Availability (HA) and DRS
Distributed virtual switches
Storage policies and advanced networking
This makes the evaluation ideal for:
Home labs
Career training
RHCSA/RHCE virtualization practice
DevOps and automation testing
Learning vCenter Server
After 60 days, the hypervisor continues running but limits advanced capabilities unless upgraded with a license.
5. Broadcom’s New Bundled Licensing Model
One important change to understand:
Broadcom no longer sells ESXi as a standalone product.
Instead, ESXi is now part of subscription bundles like:
vSphere Foundation
VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
This impacts organizations more than learners, but it’s helpful to know how VMware is evolving under Broadcom’s ownership.
6. Tips for Students & Home Lab Users
If you're learning virtualization or building a personal lab:
The 60-day trial is still the best option.
You can reinstall ESXi to reset the evaluation if needed.
Use nested virtualization (ESXi running inside VMware Workstation or Proxmox) to avoid needing additional hardware.
Always keep a copy of the ISO for future labs.
VMware remains the industry leader, and knowing how to navigate Broadcom’s portal ensures you stay ahead of changes in the ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
Broadcom’s acquisition has reshaped how ESXi is downloaded, licensed, and evaluated, but the platform remains a core skill for IT professionals. Whether you're an administrator, cloud engineer, or student preparing for VMware or Linux certifications, accessing the ESXi trial version allows you to keep learning and practicing.
If you work in IT, understanding these changes is essential — because VMware continues to play a major role in enterprise data centers worldwide
Thanks and let’s keep learning together
Imran Afzal
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