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HPE Offers Free VMware Alternative Amid Licensing Price Hikes
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HPE Offers Free VMware Alternative Amid Licensing Price Hikes

WireByte Staff · June 15, 2026

HPE is offering a year of its Morpheus VM Essentials virtualization software free, along with a $1 license for Zerto data protection, to attract customers facing VMware's recent price increases. Announced at its Las Vegas Discover event, the initiative aims to ease migration costs and mitigate 'double expenses' during platform transitions.

Key points

  • HPE announced a program offering one year of free HPE Morpheus VM Essentials and a $1 Zerto data protection license.
  • This offer is presented as assistance for customers migrating virtualization platforms.
  • The move comes as VMware has implemented significant licensing cost increases for its customers.
  • HPE claims the program helps mitigate the 'double expenses' incurred during platform transitions.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has launched a program designed to attract customers experiencing rising costs associated with VMware's virtualization software. The company is offering one year of its Morpheus VM Essentials product at no cost, coupled with a nominal $1 license for its Zerto data protection solution, specifically to aid in migrations.

The initiative was revealed at HPE's Partner Growth Summit in Las Vegas. HPE executives framed the offer as a means to support channel partners in helping clients manage financial risks as they consider moving away from existing virtualization platforms. The goal is to alleviate the "double-bubble cost problem" customers often face when running two systems during a transition.

While HPE did not explicitly name VMware in its announcement, the move is widely seen as a direct response to recent significant increases in VMware's licensing fees. This offer provides an alternative for businesses seeking to control expenses amidst these escalating virtualization costs and explore different platform options.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.