HPE will let VMware users get a free year

• HPE confirms plans to make its VM subscription free for the first year
• $1 Zerto migration package supports for those moving from VMware and others
• The company also wants to unify its partner program to have them all in one place

In a bid to attract VMware customers who might be dissatisfied with services or prices following the Broadcom acquisition, HPE has launched an aggressive campaign to give users affordable access to both platforms for a year to aid migration.

Under the initiative, customers can get a year’s free HPE Morpheus VM Essentials license so that they’re not paying for two subscriptions during the migration.

Prospective customers will also get a $1 license for the company’s migration software, HPE Zerto, during the migration period.

HPE really wants to migrate you away from VMware

The scheme was announced at HPE Discovery 2026 in Las Vegas, where the company revealed one of the biggest barriers preventing organizations from leaving VMware is often the cost. CTO Fidelma Russo described it as the “double-bubble cost problem.”

During the event, HPE notably avoided mentioning VMware, but the program undoubtedly takes shot at customers who have been affected by sharp price hikes following the Broadcom takeover. Unified subscription bundles have pushed up the costs for companies who wouldn’t have otherwise paid for multiple products, and legacy licensing options were also famously removed under the changes.

“We are announcing that as a customer goes through this transformation with HPE Morpheus VM Essentials, you don’t pay for the first year of licenses,” Russo said.

HPE also used the event to share that it will be bringing HPE and Juniper Networks partner programs together with effect from November 1. It would give partners access to resell networking, cloud and AI services from one place.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that 86% of VMware customers are still looking to move elsewhere, with 85% worried about rising prices.

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With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!