Link: VMware Workstation and Fusion are now free for everyone

VMware has announced that its Fusion and Workstation software for creating and managing virtual machines is now free for all users, including commercial entities. This move comes after making the software free for personal use earlier in the year.

The company's decision follows Broadcom's acquisition of VMware for $61 billion in 2022, which is one of the largest tech acquisitions in history. Since the acquisition, Broadcom has been integrating VMware's offerings to streamline its product lineup.

VMware has discontinued the sale of Fusion and Workstation Pro versions, aligning with its strategy to simplify its product portfolio. They're focusing on driving users towards subscription-based services like Cloud Foundation or vSphere Foundation.

However, some customers have reported significant price increases since the acquisition. A Business Insider report highlighted a corporate user experiencing a 175% price hike, likening it to being "held for ransom" due to the difficulty of switching to alternative solutions.

Despite these changes, VMware will maintain existing commercial contracts with the same level of support up to their conclusion. Afterward, the company will no longer provide support ticketing for troubleshooting.

Instead of direct support, VMware encourages users to utilize the community, online documentation, and support articles for assistance. This shift aims to leverage digital resources to manage customer support needs post-contract. #

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