# Azure Virtual Machines vs VMware vSphere Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that VMware vSphere excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher G2 Score compared to Azure Virtual Machines. Users appreciate its robust features like **HA, DRS, and SRM** , which enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
- **Users say** that VMware vSphere's ease of management is a standout feature, with many finding it intuitive and straightforward to use. This is reflected in the positive feedback highlighting its **great support and service** , making it a preferred choice for enterprise environments.
- **According to verified reviews** , Azure Virtual Machines offers impressive flexibility and integration within the Azure ecosystem. Users commend its ability to quickly deploy and scale resources, with features like **Availability Sets and various templates** that help optimize cost versus performance.
- **Reviewers mention** that while Azure Virtual Machines provides solid security features, VMware vSphere is often favored for its comprehensive virtualization capabilities. Users note that vSphere's extensive plugin support and API integration make it a powerful tool for enterprise-grade virtualization.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that both products have similar scores for ease of setup, but VMware vSphere's higher overall ratings suggest a more seamless onboarding experience. Users appreciate the **intuitive onboarding wizard** that simplifies the initial setup process.
- **Users report** that while Azure Virtual Machines is effective for handling sensitive information, VMware vSphere's advanced features like **overprovisioning and replication** provide a more comprehensive solution for enterprises looking for robust virtualization and disaster recovery options.



---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between VMware vSphere vs Azure Virtual Machines?

VMware vSphere is most distinguished by its enterprise-grade virtualization management and broad ecosystem integrations, while Azure Virtual Machines stands out for its flexibility and rapid cloud deployment.

| [VMware vSphere](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews) | [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| G2 Rating: 4.5/5 (772 reviews) | G2 Rating: 4.4/5 (393 reviews) |
| Largest Segment: Enterprise | Largest Segment: Mid-Market |
| Ease of Setup: 8.6 | Ease of Setup: 8.6 |
| Quality of Support: 8.5 | Quality of Support: 8.4 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: Virtualization Management (57 all-time mentions) | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: Scalability (29 all-time mentions) |



### How do the pricing models of VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines compare?

VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines are rated nearly identically on value, with VMware vSphere at 8.6 and Azure Virtual Machines at 8.9 for Ease of Doing Business With.

- **VMware vSphere:** In recent reviews, many cite high licensing costs and less flexible subscription bundles as a drawback, especially for small and mid-sized deployments.
- **Azure Virtual Machines:** Reviewers highlight the pay-as-you-go model and flexible resource scaling, but note that costs can be unpredictable without careful monitoring of storage, networking, and egress charges.
- **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers mention moving away from VMware vSphere due to increased licensing costs and restrictive packaging after Broadcom's acquisition.



### What are the best alternatives to VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines?

The top three alternatives to VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines are Google Compute Engine, Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI), and SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [VMware vSphere](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews) | 4.5/5 (772 reviews) | Enterprise | High licensing costs and less flexible subscription bundles | Virtualization Management (57 all-time mentions) |
| [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) | 4.4/5 (393 reviews) | Mid-Market | Pay-as-you-go model, but unpredictable costs if not monitored | Scalability (29 all-time mentions) |
| [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) | 4.5/5 (953 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |
| [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) | 4.5/5 (333 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite/reviews) | 4.7/5 (329 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |



### Which Server Virtualization features should I prioritize when comparing VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines?

Buyers should prioritize scalability, virtualization management, integrations, security, and cost management when comparing VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines.

- **Scalability:** Azure Virtual Machines: 29 all-time mentions; VMware vSphere: 18 all-time mentions.
- **Virtualization Management:** VMware vSphere: 57 all-time mentions; Azure Virtual Machines: 19 all-time mentions (Cloud Computing).
- **Integrations:** VMware vSphere: 13 all-time mentions; Azure Virtual Machines: 16 all-time mentions.
- **Security:** Azure Virtual Machines: 19 all-time mentions; VMware vSphere: —.
- **Cost Management:** VMware vSphere: 56 all-time mentions (Expensive); Azure Virtual Machines: 23 all-time mentions (Cost Issues).



### What are the pros and cons of VMware vSphere vs Azure Virtual Machines?

VMware vSphere's headline strength is virtualization management, while Azure Virtual Machines is most praised for scalability and flexibility.

- **VMware vSphere strengths:** Virtualization Management (57 all-time mentions), Ease of Use (69), Reliability (19), High Availability (12), Integrations (13), Centralized management, Resource balancing, and Automation.
- **VMware vSphere trade-offs:** Expensive (56 all-time mentions), Licensing Issues (31), High Licensing Cost (29), Cost Increase (12), Complexity in upgrades and advanced features, Steep learning curve for new users, Vendor lock-in concerns.
- **Azure Virtual Machines strengths:** Scalability (29 all-time mentions), Flexibility (19), Security (19), Ease of Use (45), Cloud Storage (29), Integration with Azure ecosystem (16), Rapid deployment, Pay-as-you-go pricing, Global availability.
- **Azure Virtual Machines trade-offs:** Complexity (26 all-time mentions), Cost Issues (23), Expensive (19), Learning Difficulty (13), Poor Customer Support (10), Complex Pricing (8), Occasional slow performance, Initial setup and permission management can be overwhelming.



### Is VMware vSphere or Azure Virtual Machines better for small businesses?

Azure Virtual Machines is a better fit for small businesses, as reflected by its larger mid-market and small-business reviewer base and more favorable sentiment on flexibility and cost control.

- **VMware vSphere:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers frequently cite high licensing costs and restrictive packaging as barriers for small businesses.
- **Azure Virtual Machines:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers highlight ease of scaling, pay-as-you-go pricing, and lower upfront investment as advantages for smaller organizations.



### Which Server Virtualization platform has better integrations?

Azure Virtual Machines is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions and broader ecosystem compatibility.

- **VMware vSphere:** Integrates with Zabbix (recent reviews); 13 all-time mentions of integrations.
- **Azure Virtual Machines:** Integrates with Kubernetes (recent reviews); 16 all-time mentions of integrations, with frequent references to integration with Azure services and automation tools.



### How do VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines compare on customer support?

VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines are rated at parity on Quality of Support, with scores of 8.5 and 8.4 respectively.

- **VMware vSphere:** Reviewers describe support as reliable and helpful, though some note less predictable response times and friction during recent vendor transitions.
- **Azure Virtual Machines:** Reviewers highlight professional and responsive support, especially for higher-tier plans, but mention that basic support can be slow and complex issues may require escalation.



### Which is easier to implement, VMware vSphere or Azure Virtual Machines?

VMware vSphere and Azure Virtual Machines are rated equally on Ease of Setup, both scoring 8.6, indicating no material difference in implementation difficulty.

- **VMware vSphere:** Reviewers note a straightforward initial setup with guided processes, but mention a learning curve for advanced features and complexity in upgrades.
- **Azure Virtual Machines:** Reviewers highlight rapid deployment and easy VM provisioning, though initial configuration and permission management can be overwhelming for new users.



### Which product has better Security?

Azure Virtual Machines is more frequently cited for Security, with 19 all-time mentions compared to no security-specific mentions for VMware vSphere.

- **VMware vSphere:** No all-time security mention count; security is not highlighted as a top feature in recent reviews.
- **Azure Virtual Machines:** Security: 19 all-time mentions; reviewers consistently praise built-in security features, integration with Azure AD, and compliance capabilities.



| | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 394 | 779 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Azure Virtual Machines

Pros:
- Ease of Use (45 reviews)
- Cloud Storage (29 reviews)

Cons:
- Complexity (26 reviews)
- Cost Issues (23 reviews)

### VMware vSphere

Pros:
- Ease of Use (69 reviews)
- Virtualization Management (57 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (56 reviews)
- Licensing Issues (31 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (340 reviews) | 9.2 (352 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (340 reviews) | 8.9 (633 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.6 (207 reviews) | 8.6 (575 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.6 (192 reviews) | 9.0 (284 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (327 reviews) | 8.5 (326 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.9 (184 reviews) | 8.6 (290 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.2 (328 reviews) | 7.9 (348 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Azure Virtual Machines

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### VMware vSphere

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Azure Virtual Machines** | N/A | N/A |
| **VMware vSphere** | N/A | N/A |

#### Core Functions

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Server Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Storage Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### General Functionality

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Dynamic Scaling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **High Availability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Configuration

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Appliance Independence** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Hardware Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Azure Virtual Machines** | 8.7/10 | 76 |
| **VMware vSphere** | N/A | N/A |

#### Infrastructure Provision

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Public Cloud** | 9.0 (66 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Private Cloud** | 8.6 (55 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Hybrid Cloud** | 9.0 (53 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Bare Metal** | 7.2 (48 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **High-Performance Computing (HPC)** | 8.3 (54 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Virtual Machines (VMs)** | 9.3 (67 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Edge Computing** | 8.5 (49 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Virtual Networks** | 9.1 (60 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cloud Computing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Management

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Pay by Usage** | 8.9 (63 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Usage Tracking** | 8.8 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Tracking** | 8.6 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Resource Auto-Scaling** | 8.9 (58 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Version Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Database Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Configurable Workflow** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Metrics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Escalation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Storage Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Resource Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Scheduling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Load Balancing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Role-Based Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Service Level Agreement (SLA) Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Task Scheduling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Application Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Resource Allocation & Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Configuration Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Log Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Capture and Transfer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Workflow Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search/Filter** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Server Virtualization

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Azure Virtual Machines** | 8.7/10 | 35 |
| **VMware vSphere** | 8.7/10 | 195 |

#### Performance

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | 8.5 (28 reviews) | 9.3 (182 reviews) | 
| **Portability** | 8.3 (26 reviews) | 8.9 (176 reviews) | 
| **Data Recovery** | 8.9 (27 reviews) | 8.8 (179 reviews) | 
| **Disaster Recovery** | Not enough data | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **OS Integration** | 9.0 (31 reviews) | 9.2 (171 reviews) | 
| **Resource Saving** | 8.5 (30 reviews) | 9.1 (179 reviews) | 
| **Performance Management** | 8.7 (29 reviews) | 9.0 (179 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 9.3 (30 reviews) | 8.9 (173 reviews) | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Task Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Server Virtualization

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 7.7 (19 reviews) | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | 8.3 (19 reviews) | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | 8.5 (20 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | 7.7 (19 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 7.5 (19 reviews) | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | 7.9 (20 reviews) | 
| **File Transfer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud Computing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Archiving & Retention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Issue Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Virtual Machine Migration** | Not enough data | 9.7 (6 reviews) | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Status Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Graphical User Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Escalation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Virtual Server** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Update/Installation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Verification** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **VDI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Database Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Virtual Machine Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas), [Server Virtualization Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization)


**Unique to VMware vSphere (2):** [Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions ](https://www.g2.com/categories/hyperconverged-infrastructure-hci-solutions), [Container Orchestration Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/container-orchestration)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Azure Virtual Machines | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 31.6% | 14.9% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 33.0% | 41.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 35.4% | 43.4% | 

### By Industry

#### Azure Virtual Machines

- **Information Technology and Services:** 30.2%
- **Computer Software:** 17.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 7.4%
- **Accounting:** 4.2%
- **Information Services:** 2.4%
- **Financial Services:** 2.1%
- **Banking:** 1.9%
- **Higher Education:** 1.9%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 1.6%
- **Computer Networking:** 1.6%
- **Other:** 28.9%

#### VMware vSphere

- **Information Technology and Services:** 16.0%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 5.3%
- **Government Administration:** 5.0%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.0%
- **Financial Services:** 4.9%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 4.5%
- **Computer Software:** 4.1%
- **Banking:** 4.0%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.8%
- **Higher Education:** 3.3%
- **Other:** 44.0%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Azure Virtual Machines

- [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (953 reviews)
- [Amazon EC2](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-ec2/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1202 reviews)
- [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (755 reviews)
- [Akamai Cloud Computing](https://www.g2.com/products/akamai-cloud-computing/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (409 reviews)
- [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (286 reviews)
- [Oracle VM](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-vm/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [Proxmox VE](https://www.g2.com/products/proxmox-ve/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (38 reviews)
- [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (294 reviews)
- [VMware Cloud Director](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-cloud-director/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (16 reviews)
- [Hostwinds](https://www.g2.com/products/hostwinds/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (438 reviews)

### Alternatives to VMware vSphere

- [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (339 reviews)
- [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (333 reviews)
- [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (306 reviews)
- [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (755 reviews)
- [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (294 reviews)
- [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (953 reviews)
- [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/products/suse-linux-enterprise-server/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (72 reviews)
- [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (977 reviews)
- [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (286 reviews)
- [Virtuozzo](https://www.g2.com/products/virtuozzo/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (55 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Azure Virtual Machines

- Title: [What is Azure Virtual Machines used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-azure-virtual-machines-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) are used to run applications and workloads on virtualized server environments in the cloud. They allow you to deploy and manage..."
- Title: [What operating systems does an Azure virtual machine support?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-operating-systems-does-an-azure-virtual-machine-support) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "2012 and above"
- Title: [What are Azure virtual machines used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-azure-virtual-machines-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Mission critical workloads"
- Title: [What is virtual machine in Azure portal?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-virtual-machine-in-azure-portal) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is a computer file that behaves like a computer,it has computing environment that offers to run different operating system "
- Title: [Azure VM](https://www.g2.com/discussions/36714-azure-vm) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Most powerful VM machine"

### VMware vSphere

- Title: [Is ESXi software free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-esxi-software-free) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "no 
but you can use the evaluation version for 3 month and then you can take a decision "
- Title: [What is VMware vSphere Hypervisor used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-vmware-vsphere-hypervisor-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Virtual platform to host multiple images on a single machine which has limited resources."
- Title: [What is VMware vSphere standard?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-vmware-vsphere-standard) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "vSphere 7 has been rearchitected with native Kubernetes for application modernization. Developers can’t afford infrastructure that slows them down –..."
- Title: [What is ESXi operating system?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-esxi-operating-system) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "yes "
- Title: [What is ESXi used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-esxi-used-for) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Virtualization is the creation of a virtual -- rather than actual -- version of something, such as an operating system (OS), a server, a storage device or..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-vmware-vsphere)