VMware ESXi End of Support Dates by Version
VMware ESXi end of support dates: 10 versions are listed below. 7 are already past VMware's end of support, most recently ESXi 7.0 on Oct 2, 2025; the next to end is ESXi 9.0 on Sep 17, 2027. VMware sells Broadcom Extended Support for a limited period after that date. Third-party support keeps any of these versions in production after the vendor date, with 24x7 incident response, vulnerability mitigation and compliance documentation, typically at 40-70% below the vendor's renewal.
VMware ESXi versions and end of support dates
"Vendor end of support" is the date VMware stops free fixes and security updates. "Extended end" is the end of the paid extension where VMware offers one. Each version links to its own page and quote form.
| Version | Vendor end of support | |
|---|---|---|
| ESXi 9.1 | Aug 12, 2028 | Get support |
| ESXi 8.0 | Oct 11, 2027 | Get support |
| ESXi 9.0 | Sep 17, 2027 | Get support |
| ESXi 7.0 | Oct 2, 2025 | Get support |
| ESXi 6.5 | Oct 15, 2022 | Get support |
| ESXi 6.7 | Oct 15, 2022 | Get support |
| ESXi 6.0 | Mar 12, 2020 | Get support |
| ESXi 5.5 | Sep 19, 2018 | Get support |
| ESXi 5.0 | Aug 24, 2016 | Get support |
| ESXi 5.1 | Aug 24, 2016 | Get support |
Why VMware ESXi versions stay in production
ESXi hosts are the foundation of most on-premises estates, and since the Broadcom acquisition the question of which vSphere version to run has become a subscription question as much as a technical one. Many clusters remain on 6.7 or 7.0 while that is worked out.
An ESXi host at a given build is a stable thing. The end-of-support date ends Broadcom's patches and support; it does not end the host.
How VMware's support lifecycle works for VMware ESXi
VMware, now Broadcom, provides General Support for each vSphere release for a fixed period, followed by Technical Guidance with no new fixes. Extended Support can be purchased for some releases for a limited time. Perpetual licences bought before the subscription change continue to run but no longer receive updates without an active subscription.
Hardware maintenance on the hosts is a separate decision and can be third-party regardless of the vSphere support position.
What changes on the end of support date
- Broadcom stops shipping ESXi patches and security updates for the release.
- Support cases require Extended Support or are refused.
- Hosts, VMs and vMotion keep working; new hardware and guest OS certifications stop.
Your options after VMware ESXi end of support
1. Upgrade to a supported version
Right when the application above it is ready and the budget exists. Wrong as a forced move: an upgrade driven by a support date rather than a business need is where regression bugs and surprise licence costs come from.
2. Buy Broadcom Extended Support
VMware's paid extension buys more time at a price that rises each year and typically covers security fixes only. It keeps the deadline in place and is often the most expensive line in the renewal.
3. Third-party support
Replaces the vendor contract with ours for the versions you run, with no deadline. For VMware ESXi that covers:
- Host, storage, networking, HA and DRS incidents on the version you run, 24x7
- Hardening and mitigation guidance for new ESXi CVEs after patches stop
- Third-party hardware maintenance for the hosts under the same contract if wanted
- Planning for a vSphere upgrade or a move to another hypervisor
Not included: new vendor patches or licences. Those stay with VMware; everything operational moves to us.
VMware ESXi end of support: frequently asked questions
Which VMware ESXi versions are out of support?
ESXi 7.0 (Oct 2, 2025), ESXi 6.5 (Oct 15, 2022), ESXi 6.7 (Oct 15, 2022), ESXi 6.0 (Mar 12, 2020), ESXi 5.5 (Sep 19, 2018), ESXi 5.0 (Aug 24, 2016), ESXi 5.1 (Aug 24, 2016). All of them can be covered by third-party support.
Can ESXi 6.7 or 7.0 hosts stay supported after VMware end of general support?
Yes. Third-party support covers host and cluster incidents with vulnerability mitigation for as long as you run the release, and can include the server hardware.
Does third-party support replace a Broadcom subscription?
For support and operations, yes. It does not provide Broadcom patches or new licences; it keeps the environment you have running and secured while you decide on the subscription or an alternative.
What does third-party support for VMware ESXi cost?
Typically 40 to 70% below the vendor renewal or extended-support price for the same versions, priced per instance, server or core depending on the product. We return an indicative price within 24 hours and a firm quote within 48.
How do we move VMware ESXi to third-party support without a gap?
Start before the vendor renewal date: inventory versions and instances, download all media and fixes you are entitled to, confirm no bundled contract depends on the renewal, then let the vendor support lapse as ours starts. We handle the hand-over checklist with you.
Version-by-version guides
- VMware ESXi 8.0 EOL October 2027: Budget Planning (Sep 11, 2026)
- VMware ESXi 9.0 EOL September 2027 (Aug 17, 2026)
- ESXi 7.0 EOL (Oct 2, 2025): Risks & Third-Party Support (Oct 2, 2025)
- VMware ESXi 7.0 EOL: Last-Call Action Plan Before Oct 2025 (Jul 2, 2025)
- VMware ESXi 7.0 End of Life: October 2, 2025 – Act Now (Apr 2, 2025)
- VMware ESXi 7.0 End of Life October 2, 2025 — Your 3 Options (Jan 2, 2025)
- VMware ESXi 7.0 EOL Oct 2, 2025 – Budget & Support Options (Sep 2, 2024)