It was basically a change of owner last Summer and the core product is little changed...
But please remember that the Free versions don't include some smart things like solid-tools, DC-editing and some export/import tools etc.
BUT you can have say v7 AND v8 free installed side by side and get some export/import tools now only available in v7.
You can use save_as to make v7 SKPs from v8 if desired, and v7 SKPs open in v8 fine, so you can mix-and-match between versions, normally using v8 for its better functions and v7 for odd processes not not available in v8-free...