VMware Alternatives Compared
Compare Proxmox VE, Nutanix AHV, Hyper-V, OpenShift Virtualization and XCP-ng as VMware alternatives, with criteria for choosing.
Several virtualization platforms can replace VMware, and the right one depends on your environment. This guide outlines the main options and how to choose. Makus Systems is a Proxmox authorized reseller, so please read with that in mind. Check pricing and license terms with each vendor.
Main VMware alternatives
| Product | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Proxmox VE | Open source on KVM and LXC. No usage fee, with vendor support by optional subscription. | Reducing license cost and reusing existing x86 servers |
| Nutanix AHV | A hypervisor included with the Nutanix platform, adopted along with the whole platform. | HCI with support from one vendor |
| Microsoft Hyper-V | A hypervisor included in Windows Server that fits Windows management tools. | Windows-centric estates with Microsoft agreements |
| Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization | Runs VMs on Kubernetes and requires OpenShift skills. | Organizations standardizing on containers |
| XCP-ng | Open source on Xen, with commercial support from Vates. | Teams with Xen experience or an open source preference |
How to choose
- Cost model: compare per-socket, per-core or per-node charging and the three to five year total.
- Existing hardware: check whether current servers and storage can stay, or certified hardware is required.
- Skills: consider whether the team knows Linux, Windows or Kubernetes best.
- Migration effort: review VM count and size, tolerated downtime and tool support.
- Backup and support: confirm your backup product supports it and local support exists.