AboutFree templates
News · VMware

Broadcom launches VMware vSphere Express for smaller environments

On 4 November 2026 Broadcom released VMware vSphere Express, a cut-down vSphere offer for smaller environments with up to 128 cores. It gives small VMware customers another option to weigh against migrating to Hyper-V, Proxmox or the cloud.

Published 4 Nov 2026Sources: Microsoft and IETF

Status: Available now in all regions, according to Broadcom. Broadcom has not published pricing on the announcement page.

What Broadcom announced

In a VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) portfolio update, Broadcom introduced VMware vSphere Express. Broadcom says it is built on vSphere 9 and "delivers core compute virtualization capabilities for customers with 128 cores across all environments". It is pitched at "customers with smaller environments needing cost-effective essential virtualization" and is "available immediately in all regions".

Broadcom lists these features:

  • vMotion, which moves running virtual machines between hosts without downtime.
  • High Availability (HA), which restarts virtual machines automatically if a host fails.
  • Distributed Switch, for central network management across hosts.
  • vCenter Quick Patch, for patching vCenter with less disruption.
  • TPM 2.0 and vTPM 2.0, the hardware and virtual security chips that Windows 11 and some security tools need.

The same post says that in the European Economic Area only, vSphere Standard 8 and vSphere Enterprise Plus 8 stay on sale until 31 October 2027. This does not apply to Australian customers.

What it means for your migration

Since Broadcom's licensing changes, many small VMware sites have been planning a move to Hyper-V, Proxmox VE, Azure or AWS. vSphere Express adds a "stay on VMware" option, so it is worth a fresh comparison before you commit.

  1. Count your cores. Add up the physical cores across every host you license. Broadcom describes the 128-core figure as covering "all environments", so check with your reseller exactly how it is counted before assuming you fit.
  2. Check the feature gaps. The list does not mention vSAN, NSX or the VCF management tools. If you rely on any of them, vSphere Express may not replace what you have.
  3. Get a written quote and term. Compare the subscription cost over three to five years with the cost of moving. Our total cost of ownership template and 7R decision matrix help you set the options side by side.
  4. Don't stop a migration that is already under way without re-checking the reasons you started it. Licence cost is often only one of them.

Sources

  1. VMware Cloud Foundation Blog (Broadcom): Broadcom Updates VMware Portfolio to Protect and Accelerate Private AI Cloud Deployments