VMware Workstation and Fusion Now Free for All

VMware Workstation and Fusion Now Free for All
Image Credit: VMware LLC/Broadcom, Inc.

VMware has announced that its Fusion and Workstation Pro software are now free for both personal and commercial use. This change follows Broadcom's $61 billion acquisition of VMware in 2022, which aimed to simplify the company's product offerings. As a result, VMware has discontinued the sale of Fusion and Workstation Pro versions and will no longer offer perpetual licenses for standalone products, encouraging customers to transition to subscription-based services like Cloud Foundation or vSphere Foundation.

Some business customers have reported significant price increases since the acquisition, with one corporate customer noting a 175% rise and likening the situation to being "held for ransom." VMware has stated that existing commercial contracts will be honored with ongoing support; however, future troubleshooting will rely on community resources and online documentation.

This strategic shift reflects VMware's focus on subscription-based models and its most lucrative customers, aiming to boost annual revenue. The move to make Fusion and Workstation Pro free for all users marks a significant change in VMware's approach to its desktop virtualization products.

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