Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware has reshaped today’s hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) market, pushing businesses to reconsider their reliance on VMware’s HCI software due to concerns around pricing, support, and product direction.
With the HCI market estimated to grow at a CAGR of 23.5% from 2024 to 2030, it’s no surprise that VMware alternatives are rapidly gaining traction. As organizations seek greater control, flexibility, and cost efficiency in their IT environments, non-VMware HCI solutions are becoming a key driver of this shift.
At the same time, HCI vendors face increasing pressure to enhance and differentiate their offers so that they can deliver more competitive performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This balancing act is especially important as companies look to move away from VMware. Vendors that deliver on both performance and value will be best positioned to lead the next wave of IT modernization.
So, what should you look for?
What to Look for in the Best VMware Alternatives
When evaluating alternatives to VMware, consider factors that ensure a smooth transition and ongoing functionality. Focus on aspects such as cost, scalability, compatibility, and how well the solution integrates with your existing infrastructure.
Cost
The alternative should align with your budget and provide sufficient value for the price. Look for solutions that offer clear pricing models and tools that allow you to efficiently manage and optimize resource usage. This can help you control expenses while still meeting your organization’s needs.
Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
TCO encompasses not only upfront acquisition costs but also the long-term expenses of maintaining and scaling infrastructure. By focusing on lightweight, scalable infrastructure, your business can significantly lower long-term costs while improving operational efficiency.
HCI software helps you achieve lower TCO because it’s lightweight. It reduces the amount of hardware required per site, often running on just two standard x86 servers instead of three or more. This lean infrastructure not only lowers upfront costs but also cuts power, cooling, and maintenance expenses over time. See how StorMagic can significantly lower your TCO vs VMware with our VMware Savings Calculator.
Scalability
The best VMware alternative will scale with your organization’s growth. It should handle increasing workloads and resources without frequent downtime or disruptions. Ensure that the solution can adapt to your changing requirements, allowing your infrastructure to grow smoothly alongside your business.
Compatibility
Compatibility with your existing hardware, operating systems, and applications is essential. Your chosen VMware alternative should integrate seamlessly with your current infrastructure, ensuring that it doesn’t require significant changes or adjustments to your setup.
VMware Alternative Support
Not all VMware alternatives will be straightforward to deploy. Or, if you have complex needs within your business. If this is the case, ensure that you choose a solution with expert, 24/7 support, and a technical team that’s well-equipped to assist you on your journey. Here’s an example of how we helped the IT team of the city of Süßen in Germany.
Usability and Interface
The solution should be easy to use, with an intuitive interface that allows your team to manage and monitor the virtual environment efficiently. A straightforward setup process can minimize the time and effort required for implementation, helping you quickly get up and running without complicated configurations. Features like centralized management, remote access, and automated updates are highly beneficial.
Performance
Performance and stability are key factors in choosing a VMware alternative. The solution should deliver reliable performance, minimizing downtime, and ensuring that your VMs run smoothly. It should also be able to handle demanding workloads while maintaining stability, allowing your organization to rely on the platform for everyday operations.
Curious about the top five VMware vSphere alternatives? Read our full blog here.
What is a Low-risk VMware Alternative?
When making any decision about new software, not just a VMware alternative, you should choose an option that minimizes disruptions, security threats, and inefficiencies. Most importantly, choose an option that has excellent pre- and post-sales support so you’re certain it has the technical capability to do what you need.
Proven Reliability
Does your chosen provider have a proven record of meeting, or exceeding service level agreements (SLAs)?
A low-risk VMware alternative vendor must demonstrate reliability through consistent uptime and performance. It should have a solid track record of stability, showing that it can handle demanding environments without unexpected downtimes or failures. This reliability ensures your business operations run smoothly without interruptions.
Integration
The alternative should offer robust integration capabilities with your existing services, hardware, operating systems, applications, backup solutions, and security tools. This minimizes the complexity of migrating, using a VMware migration tool, and eliminates the risks associated with reconfiguring your environment. By ensuring smooth integration, you can avoid potential system failures and configuration issues during the transition.
Strong Vendor Reputation and Feedback
Choose a solution from a reputable vendor with a proven history of customer satisfaction and support. The alternative should receive positive feedback from users who share their experiences with the product. A vibrant user community also provides additional resources, troubleshooting advice, and peer support. Use trusted review sites to understand more about your chosen vendor and their offering.
Lower Long-term Costs
Finally, calculating the long-term cost of ownership enables you to make a low-risk decision. Many IT administrators are blinded by the upfront costs. This is especially true when trying to navigate rapidly changing business needs, the demands from the C-suite, and keeping users happy. Sometimes, we’re more inclined to pick the most affordable option. However, focus on finding a VMware alternative that has an impact far beyond a lower upfront investment.
Choose the right VMware alternative that enables you to achieve predictable costs long-term by reducing operational expenses down the line. Work with a trusted vendor who provides you with a clear view of TCO, letting you avoid budget surprises, and stay focused on what matters: growing your business without IT complications slowing you down.
