: You can no longer buy a one-time perpetual key. Licenses are now term-based subscriptions. Replacement Products :
vSphere - Essentials Kit & Essentials Plus Kit Datasheet: VMware, Inc. buy vmware essentials
Since Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the traditional "vSphere Essentials" perpetual licenses have been . For 2026, the entry-level offering for small businesses is the VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) , which has moved to a subscription-only model. Current Licensing Landscape (2026) : You can no longer buy a one-time perpetual key
: Most small businesses buy through value-added resellers (VARs) like CDW or Insight. : If you are buying new servers, companies
: If you are buying new servers, companies like Dell Technologies or HPE can bundle the new vSphere Foundation subscriptions with your hardware.
: Existing customers manage and renew subscriptions through the Broadcom Support Portal . Key Differences from Old "Essentials" Old Essentials Kit 2026 Subscription (VVF) Model Perpetual (Pay once) Subscription (Recurring) Minimums No core minimum 72-core minimum per contract Management vCenter Essentials included vCenter Standard usually included in VVF Host Limit Limited to 3 hosts Scalable based on core count