Many IT teams are thinking about their future. The situation with VMware has created uncertainty. If you use VMware, you might be looking for a new plan. This is a common concern. Professionals are discussing options on platforms like Spiceworks and Reddit. They are sharing what works. This guide will help you understand your choices in simple terms.
The main reason for this shift is change at VMware. After being acquired by Broadcom, the pricing, licensing, and product bundles have been altered. This has led many loyal users to seek more predictable and cost-effective solutions. They want stability for their critical systems. You are not alone in this search for a reliable path forward.
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What Other Professionals Are Choosing
Listening to the tech community provides valuable insight. A recent poll in the TrueNAS community shows a clear preference for new tools.
- Proxmox is the top choice, with over 52% of users favoring it.
- XCP-ng is also a strong contender, chosen by nearly 21% of the group.
- A small number of users are looking at Hyper-V and oVirt.
- Only about 16% plan to continue with VMware.
One IT professional on Spiceworks stated their plan clearly: “Already upskilling in Proxmox and testing it. All new projects will be delivered using Proxmox moving forward. Goodbye ESX.” This shows a decisive move toward new platforms.
A Closer Look at Your Main Options
Choosing a new virtualization platform depends on your specific needs. Here are the leading alternatives being considered in 2025.
Proxmox VE
This is an open-source platform that is gaining significant support. It combines two virtualization technologies, KVM and LXC, into one package with a simple web-based control panel.
Key Strengths: It is rich with features, including built-in clustering, live migration, and backup tools. The community is large and active, offering plenty of free support and guides.
Potential Limitations: The ecosystem of third-party tools is smaller than VMware’s. While powerful, it can have a learning curve. For enterprise-level support, a paid subscription is necessary.
Microsoft Hyper-V
For organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, Hyper-V is a natural fit. It is included with Windows Server and professional versions of Windows, making it easily accessible.
Key Strengths: It offers strong security features like Shielded VMs. Integration with Microsoft Azure for hybrid cloud setups is seamless. The interface is familiar to anyone who manages Windows servers.
Potential Limitations: Its support for non-Windows guest operating systems is less robust. The overall ecosystem of compatible management tools is smaller compared to others.
XCP-ng
XCP-ng is a mature, enterprise-ready hypervisor. It originated from XenServer and is maintained by a responsive community and commercial entity.
Key Strengths: It is highly scalable, secure, and often more cost-effective than other enterprise solutions. It has strong features for graphics virtualization (GPU) and high availability.
Potential Limitations: The learning curve can be steeper for teams unfamiliar with Xen-based platforms. It has fewer third-party integrations available compared to the market leader.
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV is part of a hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solution. It simplifies your data center by combining compute, storage, and virtualization into a single, integrated platform.
Key Strengths: It dramatically simplifies infrastructure management. By integrating multiple functions, it can be a very cost-effective solution that is easy to scale.
Potential Limitations: It delivers the most value when used within the complete Nutanix environment. It may not be the ideal choice if you do not plan to adopt their HCI model.
Other Notable Platforms
KVM & Red Hat Virtualization (RHV): KVM is a powerful virtualization technology built directly into the Linux kernel, making it fast and efficient. RHV adds an enterprise management layer on top, but the project’s future is shifting toward OpenShift Virtualization.
oVirt: This is the open-source project that RHV was based on. It offers a robust, feature-rich virtualization management system that can be a direct replacement for VMware’s vCenter.
Cloud Platforms: Tools like OpenStack, OpenNebula, and Apache CloudStack offer full cloud orchestration, which goes beyond simple server virtualization. They are best for building private or public clouds.
Making the Right Choice for Your Team
To select the best alternative, consider your team, budget, and goals. Ask yourself these questions:
- What skills does my team have? Choosing a platform that aligns with your team’s existing expertise can make the transition smoother.
- What is our long-term strategy? Consider your future needs for cloud integration, scalability, and new technologies.
- What is our budget? Factor in both upfront licensing costs and the potential need for paid support subscriptions.
By carefully evaluating these options against your organization’s requirements, you can confidently choose a new virtualization strategy. This will ensure your infrastructure remains stable, manageable, and ready for the future.