Yes, it’s FREE — but only starting from version 8.0U3e!

After months of speculation following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, we now have clarity — VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 8.0U3e is officially available for free, directly from Broadcom.

This is massive news for:

• Homelab enthusiasts
• IT professionals training on their own hardware
• vExperts testing integrations and new features
• Small businesses who need a reliable virtualisation platform

Let’s break it down…

What’s New: Free ESXi 8 is Now Real (But ONLY 8.0U3e and Above)

Broadcom has released VMware vSphere Hypervisor 8.0U3e as a free ISO download, complete with a free license key for standalone use.

This version is the first and only one under the new licensing model to be offered for free.
Download File: VMware-VMvisor-Installer-8.0U3e-24677879.x86_64.iso
Build Number: 24677879
Size: 618.34 MB

Previous ESXi 8 builds (like 8.0U1 or U2) are not available with a free license anymore. Make sure you download 8.0U3e or later.

How to Access the Free ESXi 8.0U3e ISO from Broadcom

Follow these exact steps to access and download:

Step 1: Go to Broadcom’s Support Portal

https://access.broadcom.com/

Step 2: Register for an Account

• Click Sign Up if you’re not already a member.
• After registration, verify your email address before proceeding.

Step 3: Log In and Navigate to “My Downloads”

• Once signed in, click on your profile dropdown and go to My Downloads.

Step 4: Click on “Free Software Downlaod avaliable HERE”

• In the Downloads section, locate and click on Free Software on the left panel.

Step 5: Select “VMware vSphere Hypervisor”

• You will see the latest versions listed here.

Step 6: Download the ISO

• Look for:
• tick on the I agree the Teams and Condictions
• Click into VMware vSphere Hypervisor Relese (ESXi 8.0U3e)
  VMware-VMvisor-Installer-8.0U3e-24677879.x86_64.iso
• Click download and save it locally.

Step 7: Retrieve Your Free License Key

• Once downloaded, you’ll see a free license key provided on the same page.
• Apply this license after ESXi is installed to unlock the full functionality for a standalone host.

Ideal Use Cases for ESXi 8.0U3e Free Edition

• Studying for VMware certifications (VCP/VCAP)
• Building a home lab to test vSphere 8’s latest features
• Small, non-clustered virtual environments
• Integration and testing by vExperts and developers

Note: This version does not support vCenter Server integration under the free license. It’s designed for standalone ESXi hosts only — perfect for labs or basic setups.

Special Shoutout to the vExpert & Homelab Community

To all the VMware vExperts, bloggers, and tech YouTubers — thank you for continuously sharing updates, workarounds, and guides. Your insights have helped keep the community informed through the Broadcom transition.

This free version is a huge win for us all.

Whether you’re:

• Setting up a low-power Intel NUC or Supermicro node
• Building out a multi-node lab
• Just getting started with virtualisation…

You now have access to VMware’s powerful hypervisor at zero cost.

Final Thoughts

Broadcom has finally provided the community what many feared would disappear — a free tier of ESXi, now under version 8.0U3e. It’s perfect for labs, learning, testing, and lean deployments.

If you’re a CloudBunch customer or a fellow IT pro and want help installing or managing your ESXi lab — from ISO to VM creation to patching and VM backups — we’ve got your back.

Quick Links

• Register or Login: Broadcom Support Portal
• Download Page: After login, go to My Downloads > Free Software > VMware vSphere Hypervisor

Over to You

Are you running a homelab?
Are you planning to upgrade from an older ESXi version?
Tag your favourite #vExpert and let the community know:
ESXi 8.0U3e is FREE — go get it!