VMware Price Increase 2026: How Much More Will You Pay?
Broadcom's acquisition of VMware has fundamentally changed the pricing landscape. Average price increases of 150%+, elimination of perpetual licenses, and forced 72-core minimum bundles are hitting budgets across Europe. Here's what you need to know — and what you can do about it.
What Broadcom changed about VMware pricing
VMware licensing costs surged 150% on average after the Broadcom acquisition. Some customers report increases of up to 1,500%.
All perpetual licenses eliminated. Subscription-only model enforced. No more one-time purchase option for any VMware product.
Minimum purchase raised from 16 to 72 cores. Standalone products discontinued. Forced bundling of vSphere, vSAN, NSX into VMware Cloud Foundation.
Real costs: VMware vs. alternatives (CZK)
Based on a typical 3-server deployment with standard enterprise requirements. Annual costs including support and licensing.
VMware Cloud Foundation bundle, 72-core minimum per CPU, subscription-only licensing
Managed OpenStack, dedicated HPE hardware, ISO 27001, 24/7 support, own Prague DC. No license fees.
Open-source, zero license fees. Built-in HA, live migration, backup. Ideal for SMBs and cost-sensitive deployments.
Why you should evaluate alternatives before your next renewal
Every VMware renewal cycle under Broadcom comes with unpredictable pricing. Companies that evaluate alternatives before their renewal have significantly more negotiating leverage — even if they ultimately stay with VMware.
- Migration timelines are 4–12 weeks — start planning early
- PROZETA provides free migration assessments with no commitment
- Having a concrete alternative gives you leverage in VMware renewal negotiations
- Open-source platforms have no forced upgrade cycles or surprise price changes
PROZETA alternatives to VMware
Tier5 — Managed OpenStack
Production-ready managed OpenStack private cloud with dedicated HPE hardware, BlackStor high-performance storage, ISO 27001 certification, and 24/7 expert support. The complete VMware replacement for enterprise workloads.
- ✓ Dedicated hardware — no noisy neighbors
- ✓ Own datacenter in Prague (EU data sovereignty)
- ✓ 8+ years of production OpenStack experience
- ✓ 40–60% TCO savings vs. VMware
Proxmox VE
Open-source virtualization platform with zero license fees. Built-in high availability, live migration, and backup. Ideal for small and mid-size businesses looking to eliminate VMware costs entirely.
- ✓ Zero license fees — open source
- ✓ Built-in HA, live migration, backup
- ✓ Up to 80% savings vs. VMware
- ✓ PROZETA deployment and support available
Frequently asked questions about VMware price increases
Answers to the most common questions about VMware pricing changes under Broadcom and available alternatives.
Calculate your potential savings
Get a free assessment comparing your current VMware costs against PROZETA Tier5 and Proxmox VE. No commitment required — just real numbers.
Get a Free Cost Assessment