Broadcom, which acquired VMware exactly one year ago, announced a major change: two of their flagship products, VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation, are now free for everyone.
Yes, you read that right. Starting November 11, 2024, these powerful desktop hypervisors are now available at no cost, whether you use them for commercial, educational, or personal use.
Effective immediately, VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation are transitioning away from the paid subscription model. This means that users can now utilize these tools completely free of charge. The previously available paid versionsโFusion Pro and Workstation Proโare no longer being offered for purchase.
For the unfamiliar, VMware’s Fusion & Workstation are virtualization software products that allow users to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. Yes, just how you do it with VirtualBox. Fusion is designed for macOS, while Workstation is built for Windows and Linux. Now, back to the topic.
If you are a current subscriber under a commercial contract, rest assured that your agreement remains valid until the end of its term. You will continue to receive enterprise-grade support throughout your contract, and VMware is committed to maintaining high service standards during this time.
Under the new model, the free version includes all the features from the former paid versions, allowing users to continue completing projects effectively without compromise.
Additionally, existing customers with active support agreements will still have access to VMware’s support channels until the conclusion of their contract. After that point, users can continue using the products, though direct support ticketing for troubleshooting will no longer be available.
All new and existing users will have access to VMware’s wealth of online resources, including detailed documentation, user guides, and community forums designed to help you make the most of your desktop hypervisor experience.
For new users coming on board under the free model, VMware is providing a robust ecosystem of support options:
- Community Access: Join an active community of users to share insights, tips, and solutions. You can connect with the Workstation community here and the Fusion community here.
- Extensive Product Documentation: Comprehensive documentation is available to ensure you can get the most out of VMware Workstation and Fusion. Access the Workstation documentation here and the Fusion documentation here.
- Knowledge Base Articles: VMware has a rich library of knowledge base articles covering topics from troubleshooting to advanced features, which are available here.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Broadcom has been full of surprises lately. In a recent and pleasantly unexpected move, it was revealed that the company is exploring the option of parting ways with the closed-source VMware Workstation.
Instead, it’s looking into leveraging the native KVM functionality built right into the upstream Linux kernel. Did anyone believe the day would come when that would happen?
Refer to the official announcement for more information about the now-free VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation.
