Not For Resale (NFR) Licenses for VMware Professionals

Update (2025/02/07): The former NFR License page is now redirecting back to this blog post for posterity. The NFR Licenses are no longer being maintained. The information here is no longer authoritative nor accurate. Thank you for your patronage of this resource over the years.

Update (2016/05/18): I've created an NFR License page, so that it's easier for people to find the list and easier for me to update it. The table below may no longer be accurate, so please visit the page for the latest information.

I've recently come across a few vendor blog posts about free NFR licenses for VMware professionals. Not For Resale (NFR) licenses are a specific license that vendors use to make sure software or products are not (re)sold. They're usually given to people to use the products for testing, evaluation and education.

Vendors recognize value in letting IT professionals have hands on experience with their products. In an educational setting, such as a test lab or home lab, these pros can learn the ins and outs of a solution. Sometimes IT pros don't have access to products as they're not available from work or too expensive. NFR licensing can help overcome these limitations.

Here I will list all the NFR licenses I've found that are available to VMware professionals. A vendor usually recognizes someone as a VMware professional if they are VMware certified or are a VMware vExpert. Membership or leadership in your local VMUG is sometimes enough as well.

The (NFR) Goods

The product name will link to the product page or blog post (and in some cases social media post!) that references the vendor's NFR offer, including license and conditions. Make sure you read the vendor's EULA for specific product usage, conditions and restrictions.

NFS Licenses for VMware Professionals

\Link is only available to current vExperts.*

The data in the table was last modified: 2023-06-29 01:14:19.

If you have any updates let me know in the comments or on Twitter.