VMware introduces lower-cost virtualisation for smaller server deployments

VMware has launched vSphere Express, a lower-cost virtualisation product aimed at small server deployments. The move gives customers who need basic capabilities a more affordable option and could help VMware attract new users, though it comes after Broadcom’s changes to VMware’s products and reseller network have weakened trust among some customers and partners.

Each instance supports up to 128 processor cores and includes live VM migration, automatic restart after failures, a distributed switch and non-disruptive patching. Instances cannot be managed centrally, and VMware says the product is not designed for large deployments. It will be sold through distributors’ cloud marketplaces on a per-core subscription, priced below VVF and VCF, but VMware has not disclosed a figure. The company also plans to add disaster recovery and policy-based networking to those higher-tier products, and S3-compatible object storage for VSAN in the first quarter of 2027.