VMware Review & Alternatives for 2024

There are a number of analyses of the virtualization market available, and all of them provide different market share figures for each of the major players. Despite a large variation in the numbers, all of those surveys agree that VMware has the largest client base. The dominance of VMware is helped by its range of products, while most of the rival providers focus on a single platform each.

Here is our list of the best alternatives to VMware: 

1. Microsoft Hyper-V EDITOR’S CHOICE This system can create a virtual host running Windows or Linux, and it offers live migration without downtime. Ideal for those already in the Windows ecosystem. Built into Windows Server.
2. XenServer A hypervisor that supports server virtualization, desktop virtualization, and cloud computing. Provides high performance, security, and flexibility for enterprise environments. Runs on Windows and Windows Server.
3. Red Hat OpenShift Uses KVM for efficient virtualization, scalability, and provides access to RHEL. Replaces Red Hat Virtualization (RHV).
4. Oracle VirtualBox Open-source, supports multiple OSes, and is ideal for both personal and enterprise use. User-friendly with extensive community support.
5. Proxmox Virtual Environment Combines KVM and LXC, offers a web-based management interface, and is free and open-source. Great for managing virtual and containerized workloads.
6. Nutanix AHV Provides hyper-converged infrastructure, simplifies management, and supports multiple hypervisors. Known for its scalability and efficiency.

As can be seen, just about all of these alternatives are free to use. However, some are integrated into wider product suites or are dependent on specific environments, so consideration of which of these systems is best depends on related purchasing decisions.

VMware Products

VMware is a leading company in cloud computing, virtualization, and enterprise software. Its suite of products and services is designed to help organizations efficiently manage their IT infrastructure, automate operations, and adopt cloud-native technologies. Below is a breakdown of the key products offered by VMware:

1. VMware vSphere

Category: Virtualization

VMware vSphere is the company’s flagship server virtualization platform. It allows users to run, manage, connect, and secure applications in a common operating environment. By pooling hardware resources into a virtualized environment, vSphere enables multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server.

Key Features:

• Host resource abstraction: Hypervisor (ESXi) manages multiple VMs on a physical server.
• Virtual infrastructure management: vCenter provides centralized management of vSphere environments.
• Enhanced security: VM-level isolation and encryption.
• High availability: Includes disaster recovery solutions.
• Response optimization: Resource pooling and load balancing.

Use Case: Virtualization of servers to improve resource utilization and reduce hardware costs.

2. VMware NSX

Category: Network Virtualization & Security

VMware NSX is a network virtualization platform that allows for the creation and management of entire networks in software. It decouples networking services from physical hardware, making it easier to deploy, manage, and secure network resources.

Key Features:

• Network segmentation: Implements micro-segmentation to enhance security.
• Support for multi-cloud and hybrid networking: Facilitates connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments.
• Automation of network services: Enforces policies consistently.
• Distributed firewall management: Advanced threat protection.

Use Case: Creating virtual networks for more flexible, scalable, and secure enterprise environments.

3. VMware vSAN

Category: Storage

VMware vSAN (Virtual Storage Area Network) is a hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solution that integrates with vSphere to provide a storage layer that combines compute and storage resources. It pools the local storage of vSphere hosts to create a shared, resilient storage platform.

Key Features:

• Integrated with vSphere: Seamless management.
• Multiple device media: Supports all-flash and hybrid storage configurations.
• Storage efficiency: Deduplication, compression, and erasure coding.

Use Case: Hyper-converged infrastructure environments that require scalable and resilient storage solutions.

4. VMware Horizon

Category: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

VMware Horizon is a VDI platform that provides virtual desktops and applications to users. It allows businesses to deliver secure and manageable desktops to end-users on any device, whether they are in the office or remote.

Key Features:

• Centralized control: Management of desktops and applications.
• Integration with vSphere and NSX: Creates a secure and scalable environment.
• Multi-cloud support: Enables desktops to run in private or public clouds.

Use Case: Virtual desktop deployment for remote or distributed workforce, enhancing security and management of end-user computing.

5. VMware Tanzu

Category: Cloud-Native Applications

VMware Tanzu is a suite of products designed to help businesses build, run, and manage modern applications on Kubernetes across multiple clouds. It offers a platform for developers to deliver containerized applications at scale.

Key Features:

• Developer tools and services: For building containerized apps.
• Application lifecycle management: multi-cloud environments.
• Integration with VMware Cloud Foundation: Provides unified operations.

Use Case: Modernizing applications through containers and Kubernetes orchestration, facilitating DevOps and cloud-native application delivery.

6. VMware Cloud Foundation

Category: Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure

VMware Cloud Foundation is an integrated software platform that combines compute, storage, and network virtualization with cloud management services. It provides a comprehensive foundation for private, public, and hybrid cloud environments.

Key Features:

• Integrated with vSphere, vSAN, and NSX: Operates a software-defined data center (SDDC).
• Automated infrastructure provisioning: System lifecycle management.
• Consistent operations across platforms: On-premises and cloud environments.

Use Case: Deploying and managing hybrid or multi-cloud infrastructure with ease and consistency.

7. VMware Aria Universal Suite

Category: Cloud Management

VMware Aria Universal Suite was originally called vRealize. It is a cloud management platform designed to help automate and manage hybrid cloud environments. It provides tools for infrastructure management, performance monitoring, and capacity planning.

Units:

• Aria Operations: Provides monitoring and analytics.
• Aria Automation: Provisioning and management of infrastructure.
• Aria Automation Orchestrator: Workflow automation.
• Aria Operations for Logs: Log management and analysis.
• Aria Operations for Networks: Network monitoring and optimization.

Use Case: Managing, optimizing, and automating cloud infrastructure and operations across hybrid environments.

8. VMware Carbon Black

Category: Endpoint Security

VMware Carbon Black is a security platform that provides endpoint protection, threat detection, and response capabilities. It leverages big data and machine learning to detect and prevent advanced cyber threats.

Key Features:

• Endpoint detection and response (EDR): Real-time threat analysis.
• Behavior monitoring: Identifies and stops malware.
• Integration with VMware security products: Connects to NSX for holistic protection.

Use Case: Protecting enterprise endpoints from cyber threats with advanced detection and response capabilities.

9. VMware Cloud on AWS

Category: Hybrid Cloud

VMware Cloud on AWS allows businesses to run VMware workloads natively on Amazon Web Services (AWS). It provides a consistent operating environment across on-premises data centers and the AWS public cloud.

Key Features:

• Cloud-native architecture: Expands easily.
• Encompasses the VMware range: Support for vSphere, vSAN, and NSX.
• Disaster recovery: Backup, and cloud migration capabilities.

Use Case: Extending on-premises VMware environments to the AWS cloud for scalability, disaster recovery, or cloud migration.

VMware product range

VMware is now owned by Broadcom, and some products of the company have been retired or sold off. This is why, one of the most successful VMware products, Workspace ONE doesn’t appear in our list: it was sold off in 2023 and is now under the Omnissa brand.

The Best Alternatives to VMware

Keeping in mind that VMware is the most widely-used virtualization platform in the world, it is clear that more enterprises choose VMware over any alternatives. Nonetheless, the tool doesn’t have the entire market, so there should be room for other virtualization systems in your shortlist.

1. Microsoft Hyper-V

Microsoft Hyper-V is a robust virtualization platform included with Windows Server that enables businesses to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server. Designed to integrate with the broader Microsoft ecosystem, Hyper-V supports server virtualization, desktop virtualization, and application isolation. It offers advanced features for resource management and VM migration, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Key Features:

• Live migration: Move VMs between hosts without downtime.
• Hyper-V replication: Enables disaster recovery by replicating VMs to a remote site.
• Dynamic memory: Allocates memory to VMs dynamically based on demand.
• Virtual switch: Provides network isolation, segmentation, and security.
• Integration with Microsoft Stack: Seamless integration with Microsoft tools like System Center and Azure.

Why do we recommend it?

Hyper-V’s deep integration with Windows Server and Azure makes it a perfect fit for Microsoft-centric IT environments. Its easy-to-use interface, scalability, and disaster recovery features are excellent for businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective virtualization solution.

I found that Hyper-V delivers strong performance, scalability, and integration, especially for organizations already using the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers enterprise-grade features, including disaster recovery, advanced networking, and resource allocation flexibility. The platform is continuously evolving, particularly in terms of cloud integration and hybrid deployments with Microsoft Azure.

Who is it recommended for?

Hyper-V is ideal for organizations already using Windows Server or Microsoft Azure, and those looking for seamless integration across their cloud and on-premises environments. It is also well-suited for mid-sized to large enterprises seeking cost-effective server virtualization.

Hyper-V is available as part of Windows Server, with a free standalone edition called Hyper-V Server (though it lacks some advanced features). The standalone version supports bare-metal deployment. Hyper-V Server is free, while full integration requires Windows Server licensing.

2. XenServer

XenServer is a powerful, open-source virtualization platform designed for server and desktop virtualization. Citrix produced a range of virtualization products on top of the Xen hypervisor, creating a choice of XenServer implementations. It is known for high performance and scalability. XenServer supports a wide range of guest operating systems and includes enterprise-grade features like live migration, resource pooling, and automated VM management.

Key Features:

• Live VM migration: Move running VMs without downtime.
• Resource pooling: Manage compute, storage, and network resources across hosts.
• High availability (HA): Automatically restarts VMs in case of host failure.
• GPU virtualization: Support for GPU pass-through and sharing.

Why do we recommend it?

XenServer’s open-source roots, coupled with enterprise-grade features, make it an excellent choice for businesses seeking high performance, scalability, and flexible resource management. It’s particularly strong for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and applications requiring GPU acceleration.

I noted that XenServer provides enterprise-grade virtualization capabilities with the advantage of being open-source. It is highly scalable, supports GPU-intensive workloads, and integrates seamlessly with Citrix’s suite of virtualization tools. The ease of management through XenCenter and the support for both Linux and Windows make it versatile for different business needs.

Who is it recommended for?

XenServer is recommended for businesses that require high-performance server virtualization, particularly in environments that rely on virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or GPU-accelerated workloads. It’s also ideal for organizations looking for a cost-effective alternative to proprietary solutions.

XenServer has a free open-source edition called XenProject, which runs on Linx or Windows. Advanced features like high availability, dynamic memory control, and automated updates are only available in the paid Citrix Hypervisor version, which has a free trial. That runs on Windows or Windows Server but supports both Linux and Windows OS for guest VMs.

3. Red Hat OpenShift

Red Hat OpenShift is an enterprise Kubernetes platform designed to develop, deploy, and manage containerized applications in hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It offers an integrated development and operations (DevOps) solution that automates the entire lifecycle of applications. While VMware excels in virtualization, OpenShift provides a powerful alternative for organizations looking to modernize their application infrastructure and shift towards containerized microservices architectures.

Key Features:

• Kubernetes integration: OpenShift provides a fully managed, enterprise-grade Kubernetes platform with built-in automation for container orchestration.
• Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud support: OpenShift allows applications to be deployed across multiple environments, including on-premises, public clouds, and hybrid setups.
• Developer-friendly tools: Integrated CI/CD pipelines, source-to-image (S2I) builds, and developer workspaces streamline application development.

Why do we recommend it?

OpenShift is ideal for organizations moving towards cloud-native, microservices-based applications. Its developer-friendly tools, hybrid cloud capabilities, and integration with Kubernetes make it a leading alternative to VMware for businesses focusing on containerization and modern app development.

I learned that this system is a fully integrated, highly scalable Kubernetes platform that offers automation, security, and developer-friendly features for managing containerized workloads. Unlike VMware, which focuses on traditional virtualization, OpenShift is designed for modern application architectures, particularly for enterprises embracing DevOps and cloud-native technologies. It supports hybrid deployments and multi-cloud strategies, making it a future-proof solution for many organizations.

Who is it recommended for?

OpenShift is recommended for businesses adopting Kubernetes, microservices, and containerized workloads. It’s an excellent fit for organizations implementing DevOps practices and looking for a scalable platform for cloud-native applications across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

OpenShift is available in multiple editions:

• OpenShift Container Platform: Designed for on-premises and private cloud deployment.
• OpenShift Dedicated: A managed version hosted on AWS or Google Cloud.
• OpenShift Online: A fully managed, multi-tenant cloud service.

OpenShift supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) as its base operating system but can also run on other compatible Linux distributions. While OpenShift is not free, it offers a 60-day free trial for the OpenShift Container Platform, allowing organizations to test its capabilities before committing to a subscription.

3. Oracle VirtualBox

Oracle VirtualBox is a powerful, cross-platform, open-source virtualization software ideal for desktop virtualization. Known for its versatility and ease of use, VirtualBox runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris hosts and supports a wide range of guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and more.

Key Features:

• Cross-platform support: Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris hosts.
• Guest additions: Optimizes guest OS performance and allows seamless integration.
• Snapshots: Easily revert to previous VM states.

Why do we recommend it?

Oracle VirtualBox is free, open-source, and incredibly versatile, making it the go-to option for users looking for a flexible and reliable desktop virtualization solution. Its cross-platform compatibility and ease of use are major advantages.

I discovered that VirtualBox is a lightweight and highly versatile virtualization solution that works across various host platforms. It’s particularly well-suited for users needing to run multiple operating systems on a single machine without a complex setup. While not as feature-rich as enterprise-grade solutions, it offers more than enough functionality for personal and small business use.

Who is it recommended for?

VirtualBox is ideal for developers, testers, and users who need a free, easy-to-use virtualization solution for running multiple operating systems on desktops. It’s also great for educational purposes and smaller environments where advanced enterprise features are not required.

Oracle VirtualBox is free and open-source under the GNU General Public License (GPL). It supports a wide range of hosts and guest operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris. Enterprise-level support and additional features can be accessed via Oracle’s paid Extension Pack.

5. Proxmox Virtual Environment

Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) is an open-source platform that combines KVM-based virtualization with LXC container management. It provides a complete enterprise virtualization solution with integrated tools for high availability, live migration, backups, and software-defined storage, making it a popular choice for data centers and hosting providers.

Key Features:

• KVM and LXC integration: Supports both full virtualization and container-based environments.
• Cluster management: Manage multiple hosts as a single entity.
• Built-in backup: Integrated backup and restore functionality for VMs.

Why do we recommend it?

Proxmox VE is a comprehensive, open-source virtualization solution that combines KVM virtualization and container management. Its web-based management interface, clustering, and built-in backup features make it suitable for data centers and hosting providers.

I observed that Proxmox VE delivers enterprise-grade features, such as live migration, high availability, and clustering, while remaining open-source and cost-effective. Its flexibility in handling both VMs and containers makes it unique in the virtualization space. With integrated backup and software-defined storage options, it is a great choice for those seeking a versatile and scalable solution.

Who is it recommended for?

This system is recommended for data centers, hosting providers, and IT professionals who need a free, open-source, and scalable solution for managing virtualized environments. It’s perfect for organizations looking to balance between full virtualization and containers.

Proxmox VE is entirely free and open-source, with paid support options available. It supports both Linux and Windows guest operating systems. The platform can be installed on top of a Debian-based Linux distribution, and additional enterprise repositories are available through a subscription plan.

6. Nutanix AHV

Nutanix AHV is a hypervisor integrated within Nutanix’s hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) platform, offering simplified virtualization management. AHV provides enterprise-grade features like VM migration, replication, and disaster recovery, all managed through Nutanix’s Prism management interface. It is designed to simplify virtualization for organizations leveraging Nutanix’s hardware or software solutions.

Key Features:

• Prism Central Management: Centralized VM management and monitoring.
• Live migration: Move VMs across hosts without downtime.
• Disaster recovery: Integrated disaster recovery and backup capabilities.

Why do we recommend it?

Nutanix AHV offers a seamless, integrated experience for organizations using Nutanix’s hyper-converged infrastructure. Its simplicity, combined with robust disaster recovery and security features, makes it a powerful choice for enterprises seeking streamlined virtualization.

I noticed that Nutanix AHV is a key component of the Nutanix ecosystem, delivering enterprise-grade virtualization without the need for third-party hypervisors. It simplifies infrastructure management through Prism and provides a wide array of features for high availability, disaster recovery, and data protection, making it highly suitable for enterprise-scale deployments.

Who is it recommended for?

Nutanix AHV is recommended for enterprises using or planning to use Nutanix’s hyper-converged infrastructure solutions. It’s ideal for organizations seeking an integrated, all-in-one platform to manage their virtual environments without the complexity of traditional hypervisor licensing and management.

Nutanix AHV is included at no extra cost with the Nutanix HCI platform, making it a highly cost-effective solution. It supports both Linux and Windows operating systems for guest VMs. AHV is only available as part of Nutanix’s hyper-converged infrastructure, which includes hardware or software subscriptions.