VMware Licensing Guide

VMware licensing can be complex. This guide explains vSphere licensing models, editions, subscription vs perpetual options, and common product bundles to help you plan your environment correctly.

vSphere Licensing Models

• Licenses are typically based on CPU sockets (for perpetual) or CPU cores (subscription).
• vCenter Server is licensed separately per instance.
• Advanced features require higher license editions.

Subscription vs Perpetual

• Perpetual Licensing: Pay once, own forever. Requires annual SnS (Support and Subscription) renewals for updates & support.
• Subscription Licensing: Pay-as-you-go model. Includes support & updates for the subscription term.
• VMware is transitioning many offerings to subscription-based model since 2023 acquisition by Broadcom.

vSphere Editions (Core Hypervisor)

• vSphere Essentials Kit: Up to 3 hosts, very small environments, no vMotion.
• vSphere Essentials Plus Kit: Adds HA, vMotion, vSphere Replication.
• vSphere Standard: Single feature set with core hypervisor capabilities, vMotion, HA, DRS (optional add-on).
• vSphere Enterprise Plus: Full feature set including DRS, Distributed Switch, vSphere Lifecycle Manager, VM Encryption.

Key Add-On Products

• vSAN (Software-defined storage)
• NSX (Network virtualization & security)
• vRealize Suite / Aria (Operations, Automation, Log Insight)
• Horizon (VDI & Remote Desktop infrastructure)

Sample Licensing Calculation

If you have:

• 4 hosts, each with 2 CPUs (8 total CPUs)
• Enterprise Plus subscription

You will need 8 Enterprise Plus licenses (or subscription cores if applied to new model).

License Compliance Tips

• Review license compliance regularly via vCenter license tab.
• Always check latest licensing changes from VMware due to Broadcom acquisition policy changes.
• Validate vSAN, NSX, and multi-cloud products that may require separate licenses.

Official Licensing Documentation

For latest licensing updates refer to VMware Licensing Portal.

Next Step

You’ve completed the foundation. Return to the vSphere Basics or explore other advanced VMware topics!