As of 2025/2026, there are two primary ways to license Kubernetes on vSphere:
Deep integration with vSphere storage/network policies, automated VM-based K8s nodes, lifecycle management. vsphere kubernetes license
In the vSphere 8 era, "Tanzu" is no longer just a separate add-on product—it is a capability of the platform. To unlock it, you need to look toward or the vSphere Foundation bundles. By licensing the cores in your cluster correctly, you transform your traditional hypervisor into a modern, API-driven Kubernetes platform. As of 2025/2026, there are two primary ways