VMware Workstation and Fusion are now available for free for everyone.
Support tickets for troubleshooting will also be eliminated.
VMware has decided to offer its Fusion and Workstation software for free, allowing the creation and management of virtual machines, not only for personal use but also for all users, including commercial customers. This recent announcement means that the Pro versions of Fusion, aimed at Macs, and Workstation, compatible with Windows and Linux, are no longer available for purchase.
Broadcom's acquisition of VMware for $61 billion in 2022 marked one of the most significant deals in the tech industry. Since then, Broadcom has integrated VMware's products into its offering to "simplify its portfolio," removing many of the existing product references. The company has indicated that it will no longer offer perpetual licenses for VMware’s standalone solutions, thereby directing businesses toward its subscription products, such as Cloud Foundation and vSphere Foundation.
Despite these initiatives, some commercial customers have reported a considerable increase in prices following the acquisition. A report mentions that an anonymous corporate client stated that their prices rose by 175%, describing this situation as a rescue due to difficulties in considering viable alternatives.
Commercial contracts will remain in effect, and companies will receive the same level of support until the end of their contracts. However, VMware has indicated that after this period, it will stop providing support through ticketing systems for issue resolution, recommending instead the use of community forums, documentation, and online support articles.