VMware Alternatives: 8 Best Virtualization Solutions for 2024

Server virtualization software enables the creation of multiple virtual servers on a single physical server, dividing the physical server’s hardware and software resources into multiple virtual servers. Each virtual server can run independently with its own operating system and applications. This allows for optimal use of processing power, as each server can be dedicated to a specific task or application.

Several server virtualization solutions are available in the market and VMware is dominating in this market for the last 2 decades. But, with the recent acquisition of VMware by Broadcom and changes in licensing model, organizations and businesses are eying on VMware alternatives solutions. In this article, we’ll discuss 8 best VMware alternative solutions for virtualizations in 2024.           

Benefits of Best Server Virtualization Solutions

One of the key benefits of server virtualization is consolidation. Many companies will dedicate one physical server to a single application or task. However, if multiple applications or tasks are running on the same server, the processing capabilities of the server may not be used optimally. In such cases, server virtualization can be used to consolidate all of these applications or tasks into a single server running different virtual environments. This can help companies reduce the physical space required in their data centers, which can lead to significant cost savings.

Another key benefit of server virtualization is redundancy. Network virtualization administrators can create virtual servers on different physical machines and host the same application. If one physical server fails, the other virtual server can respond to user queries without any additional hardware required. This can help ensure that critical applications remain available even in the event of a hardware failure.

Server virtualization can also help companies cut down on expenses. By making use of resources that are already available, server virtualization can reduce the number of physical servers required. This can lead to significant cost savings in terms of maintenance expenses and energy consumption.

Finally, server virtualization can make it easy to migrate virtual servers from one physical machine to another, even if the machines are using different processors. This can be particularly useful when upgrading hardware or migrating to a new data center.

Read More: Top 44 Scenario-Based VMware Interview Questions and Answers of 2024

VMware Alternatives: 8 Best Virtualization Solutions

The infrastructure of a company can be expanded and high workloads can be supported with the aid of server virtualization software. Several server virtualization software options are available in the market, and their impressive features are attracting many companies to use them. Presented below is a list of the 8 best virtualization software solutions for 2024. These solutions can also be considered as VMware alternatives.

1. Scale Computing HyperCore
2. Verge IO VergeOS
3. Red Hat Virtualization
4. Oracle VM Server
5. IBM PowerVM
6. ScaleWay
7. Citrix Hypervisor
8. Proxmox VE

    1. Scale Computing HyperCore

Scale Computing HyperCore is one of the best VMware alternatives and comprised of a 64-bit, hardened and proven OS kernel and leverages a mixture of patented and improved open-source components for a fairly hyperconverged product. All constituents—storage, virtualization, software and hardware—interface directly through the HyperCore hypervisor and SCRIBE storage layers to build an ideal computing platform that can be deployed everywhere from the data center to the edge of the network. Scale Computing HyperCore architecture provides scalable, accessible computing and storage while maintaining simplicity over automation and design.

Pricing

Starting at $3,300 per node

Pros

• Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI): Simplified management, scalability.
• Ease of Deployment: Quick Implementation reduced downtime.
• Integrated Disaster Recovery: Built-in resilience, automated backup.
• Cost Efficiency: Resource optimization reduced hardware footprint.
• Performance Optimization: Enhanced performance, resource balancing.
• Vendor Support and Updates: Responsive support, regular updates

Cons

• Learning Curve: Training requirements, transition challenges.
• Vendor Lock-In: Limited compatibility, dependency on vendor.
• Resource Intensiveness: Resource requirements, overhead concerns.
• Customization Limitations: Restrictions on configuration, inflexibility in component selection.
• Cost Considerations: Upfront investment, total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Security and Compliance: Security concerns, compliance challenges.

2. Verge IO VergeOS

Verge.io VergeOS, another VMware alternative solution, previously known as Yottabyte, is an ultraconverged infrastructure (UCI) solution that revolves the traditional IT stack and integrates virtualization, storage, and networking into a single data center operating system. Verge provides vigorous storage and networking software, excluding the need for separate SAN/NAS or proprietary networking hardware. Its proficiency enables greater virtual machine (VM) density. Consolidate all; even earlier bare metal, workloads using existing hardware, further reducing costs. Exceptional Scale VergeOS’ optimized networking stack guarantees the seamless addition of each new node and linear performance improvements.

Pricing

click on the link for sales code.

 Pros

•      Innovative Features: cutting-edge technology, It runs on your existing hardware.
•      Performance Optimization: efficient resource utilization improves performance.
•      Security Enhancements: robust security measures.
•      User-Friendly Interface
•      Compatibility and Integration: hardware and software support, it consolidates all.
•      Unprecedented Scale VergeOS
•      Improved Data Efficiency and Resiliency

Cons

•     Initial Bugs and Stability Issues: early release challenges
•      Limited Ecosystem and Third-Party Support: ecosystem constraints
•      Learning Curve: complexity for users
•      Vendor Dependence: single-vendor dependence

3.  Red Hat Virtualization

Red Hat Virtualization is a server virtualization tool solution that excels at managing workloads in Linux and Microsoft environments. It features an easy-to-use interface that allows users to manage their work efficiently in a short period. It is compatible with large deployments and requires significant server density.

Red Hat Virtualization uses Red Hat Enterprise Linux and the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) to process applications and virtualized resources. It helps regulate the storage and improve infrastructure and networking resources efficiency according to workload optimization. Additionally, Red Hat Virtualization Manager can scale up to 400 hosts and handle the maximum tested workload of around 1 VM per GB. With its cost-friendly and desktop issue-prevention features, Red Hat Virtualization is definitely worth considering.

Pricing

Starting at $999 per Year per Hypervisor

Pros

• Open Source Foundation: community support, flexibility
• Integration with Red Hat Ecosystem: seamless integration, compatibility.
• High Performance and Scalability: optimized for performance, scalability
• Advanced Management Features: centralized management, live migration
• Security and Compliance: enhanced security features, compliance support
• Support and Training: professional support, training resources

Cons

• Complexity for Novice Users: learning curve
• Limited Third-Party Integrations: dependency on red hat ecosystem
• Resource Intensiveness: hardware requirements
• Cost Considerations: subscription costs, initial investment
• Licensing Complexity: licensing models
• Community vs. Enterprise Features: feature variations

4. Oracle VM Server

The construction of simulated machines on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Oracle Solaris systems is supported by the flexible open-source virtualization tool platform known as Oracle VM Server. For tech-savvy consumers, it offers a highly customizable user interface that is simple to use. The platform constantly updates its features, keeping up with the latest market trends. Although it is open-source, it offers extension packs that can be downloaded to extend its functionality.

Oracle VM Server is equipped with Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) authentication and an SDK, which enhances its security and authentication requirements. This virtual server is a popular option for consumers because, to a range of services, it provides.

Pricing

click on the link for sales code

 Pros

• Oracle Integration: optimized for oracle workloads, integration with oracle ecosystem
• Server Virtualization Features: hypervisor functionality, live migration
• Management and Administration: oracle vm manager, user-friendly interface
• Performance Optimization: performance tuning, resource balancing
• Enterprise-Grade Security: security enhancements, compliance support
• Support and Documentation: oracle support, comprehensive documentation

Cons

• Cost Considerations: licensing costs, additional expenses
• Complexity for Non-Oracle Workloads: optimized for oracle
• Learning Curve: complex configuration
• Resource Requirements: hardware demands
• Limited Third-Party Integrations: dependency on oracle ecosystem
• Vendor Lock-In: dependency on oracle
• Competing Solutions: alternatives in the market

5. IBM PowerVM

IBM PowerVM is another open-source virtualization and VMware alternative tool. It offers an environment suitable for AIX, IBM Linux, and IBM clients. IBM PowerVM is ideal for small businesses that require assistance in dealing with complex solutions. It is a cost-effective option for enterprises with the necessary tools to deal with over-engineered solutions.

The hypervisors used by IBM PowerVM are flexible, enabling faster provisioning of cloud services by automating the deployment of VMs and storage virtualization. This virtual server consolidates workloads onto fewer systems, promoting resource utilization and cost reduction. It efficiently shares resources with all applications running in the operating system to enhance the performance of multi-cloud infrastructure.

Pricing

click on the link for sales code

Pros

• High Performance and Scalability: designed for power systems, virtualization capabilities
• Advanced Virtualization Features: logical partitioning(LPAR,Micro-Partitioning)
• Reliability and Availability: live partition mobility, built-in redundancy
• Integrated Management: PowerVM manager, enhanced flexibility
• Security and Compliance: integrated security features, compliance support.
• Resource Efficiency: active memory sharing, processor pooling
• IBM Ecosystem Integration: Integration with IBM solutions, compatibility with AIX and Linux.

Cons

• Cost Considerations: licensing costs, hardware investment
• Learning Curve: complex configuration
• Limited Third-Party Integrations: Dependency on IBM ecosystem
• Specialized Hardware Requirements: IBM power systems dependency
• Competing Solutions: alternatives in the market
• Vendor Lock-In: dependency on IBM
• Community and Support: community size

6. ScaleWay

ScaleWay is a cloud-based server that offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different business needs. It charges users hourly for used services, making it a fair deal for businesses. There are no startup fees, and the setup procedure is quick and simple.

ScaleWay has servers that support ARM processors with around 32 and 64 bits, and with Intel, they have 64 bits and capacities ranging from 1 core to 64 cores for ARMv8 and 12 cores for Xeon D. ScaleWay is compatible with Linux and is supported by SSDs, which increase the steps around 50GB. The platform is regularly updated to keep up with market trends, and it supports IPv6 on all cloud servers. It offers backup options for a quality user experience.

ScaleWay

Pricing

Setup fee optional

Pros

• Affordability: competitive pricing
• Diverse Service Offerings: scalable solutions, bare metal servers
• Data Center Locations: global presence
• User-Friendly Interface: intuitive control panel
• Developer-Focused Approach: API access, DevOps Integration
• Community Support: community forums

Cons

• Limited Global Reach: smaller network compared to giants
• Service Maturity: less mature services
• Customer Support: limited support options
• Learning Curve: steep learning curve for beginners
• Marketplace and Ecosystem: limited marketplace
• Security Concerns: security features
• Service Uptime: service stability

7. Citrix Hypervisor

Citrix Hypervisor is enterprise-grade VMware alternative server virtualization software that offers exceptional 3D graphical support, allowing you to run Windows and Linux workloads. This virtual server is optimized for application virtualization infrastructure, making it easy to handle different workload types, mixed operating systems, and storage or networking configurations.

Citrix Hypervisor is perfect for large deployments and ensures a high-definition user experience with centralized management. It also has excellent compatibility with Microsoft, Google, and AWS, and offers top-notch security, live migration, and great storage options.

Pricing

Starting from $440 per socket in standard edition

Pros

• High Performance and Scalability: optimized for virtualization, resource optimization
• Advanced Virtualization Features: live migration, storage motion
• Centralized Management:  XenCenter, Integration with Citrix Cloud
• Security Enhancements: secure virtualization, isolation and segmentation
• Flexibility and Compatibility: support for multiple guest operating systems, compatibility with Citrix solutions.
• Cost-Effective Virtualization: open source base, free edition

Cons

• Complexity for Beginners: learning curve
• Limited Ecosystem and Marketplace: smaller ecosystem
• Licensing Costs: advanced features require licensing
• Community Size: smaller community
• Integration Challenges: Integration with Non-Citrix solutions
• Updates and Patching: occasional update challenges
• Market Share: smaller market share.

8. Proxmox VE

Proxmox VE, on the other hand, combines KVM and LXC virtualization technologies to offer virtual machines and containers for Linux and Windows server application workloads. It is perfect for large deployments and has a stable, user-friendly web-based management system. Proxmox VE offers high availability, software-defined storage and networking, and clusters with its built-in web interface.

It also provides other useful tools like backup; restore live migration, and storage replication, as well as a built-in firewall for system protection. Proxmox VE is widely used worldwide, with over 2.3 million installations, and is available in over 20 languages for better user communication.

Also Read: Proxmox VE 8.2 is Released with VMware ESXi Import Wizard

Pricing

To get a quote you can contact Proxmox Sales Team

Pros

• Open Source Platform: free and open source, community support.
• Combination of Virtualization and Containers: KVM virtualization, LXC containers.
• Centralized Management Interface: Proxmox GUI (Web Interface),clustering support
• High Availability (HA) Support: HA clustering, live migration
• Storage Options: wide range of storage backend, storage replication.
• Built-in Backup and Restore: integrated backup solutions, snapshot support.
• Community and Documentation: active community, comprehensive documentation
• SDN (Software-Defined Networking)

Cons

• Learning Curve: complexity for beginners
• Limited Third-Party Ecosystem: smaller ecosystem
• Enterprise Support Costs: subscription for enterprise support
• Market Share: smaller market share
• Interface Responsiveness: interface performance

Things to Consider Before Choosing a VMware Alternative Server Virtualization Tool

There are a number of things to consider when choosing a server virtualization tool for your business to make an informed choice.

Compatibility

The first is operating system compatibility. It’s essential to ensure that the software supports the operating system used by your systems. However, some businesses prefer to remain with particular suppliers, like Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, or Citrix and may need to make a decision in accordance with this preference. Consider platforms like Redhat or Proxmox if you’re seeking open-source applications.

Scalability

Scalability is yet another vital aspect to take into account. Some virtualization software can scale up better than others and can handle a considerable number of virtual machines (VMs). Choosing a platform that can scale up and down VMs based on demand can be highly beneficial.

Consumption of Resources

The consumption of resources is another critical consideration, as some server virtualization tool utilizes a lot of memory space. Choose the program based on the environment you wish to create. Some have advanced features that work better on sophisticated platforms and meet the demand for memory and CPU power. For basic needs, it’s best to choose software that saves space for VMs without unnecessary features.

Hardware Compatibility

Hardware compatibility is another factor to consider. Virtualization platforms can have many hardware issues, and hosted hypervisors will offer support for different hardware types, whereas bare-bones virtualizers will only support certain hardware. If you plan to change the hardware of the physical server, ensure that the new hardware supports the virtualization software of your choice.

Ownership Expenses

Ownership expenses are also essential to consider. Besides the cost of the virtualization software, you’ll need to spend money on OS licenses, hardware, support, and training. Additionally, you may also need to purchase advanced management tools. Keeping all these factors in mind, selecting the software is crucial to make the best decision for your company.

Wrapping up

Now that you have an understanding of VMware alternative server virtualization solutions and the various best server virtualization software options available. You are better equipped to select the appropriate server virtualization software to match your business requirements.