However, it's crucial to note that:

Download the official ISO directly from the Broadcom Support Portal. Install the software on your hardware.

Here's what many people searching for "ESXi 9 free" don't realize: Broadcom has reinstated the free version of the hypervisor — but only for ESXi 8.0 Update 3e and later. This free version is perfect for home labs and learning environments! Here's what you get: run unlimited VMs within your hardware limits, support for up to 2 physical CPUs per host, 8 vCPUs per virtual machine, access to vSphere Host Client for web-based management, and basic hardware health monitoring. The free license is embedded directly in the ISO download itself — no license key required at all!. Once you install ESXi 8.0U3e, the free license is applied automatically.

For deep hands-on learning, the program offers an Evaluation Experience (EVALExperience).