# Proxmox VE, VMware ESXi, XenServer vs VirtualBox Comparison

| | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 36 | 20 | 49 | 291 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (62.9% of reviews) | Mid-Market (52.6% of reviews) | Enterprise (55.3% of reviews) | Small-Business (43.8% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | € 4,99 month (per CPU) | No pricing available | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Proxmox VE

Pros:
- Scalability (2 reviews)
- Cost-Effective (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Steep Learning Curve (2 reviews)
- Network Issues (1 reviews)

### VMware ESXi

Pros:
- Virtualization Management (6 reviews)
- Ease of Use (4 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (2 reviews)
- Limited Features (1 reviews)

### XenServer

**Not enough data**

### VirtualBox

Pros:
- Virtualization Management (4 reviews)
- Ease of Use (3 reviews)

Cons:
- Performance Issues (3 reviews)
- Communication Clarity (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.9 (32 reviews) | 9.6 (19 reviews) | 8.4 (42 reviews) | 9.1 (254 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.7 (32 reviews) | 9.0 (19 reviews) | 8.5 (42 reviews) | 9.0 (259 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.1 (27 reviews) | 9.4 (19 reviews) | 8.4 (24 reviews) | 9.0 (79 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.6 (25 reviews) | 9.1 (15 reviews) | 8.8 (23 reviews) | 8.4 (69 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.0 (22 reviews) | 8.9 (17 reviews) | 8.1 (33 reviews) | 7.9 (188 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.6 (18 reviews) | 8.2 (15 reviews) | 8.3 (18 reviews) | 8.3 (52 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 10.0 (30 reviews) | 7.5 (19 reviews) | 7.0 (43 reviews) | 8.6 (250 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Proxmox VE

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: COMMUNITY

Price: € 4,99 month (per CPU)

Key Features:
- Access to Enterprise repository
- Support via community forum

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/proxmox-ve/pricing)

#### Free Trial

No

### VMware ESXi

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### XenServer

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### VirtualBox

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Proxmox VE** | N/A | N/A |
| **VMware ESXi** | N/A | N/A |
| **XenServer** | N/A | N/A |
| **VirtualBox** | 8.3/10 | 41 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Desktop Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.1 (38 reviews) | 
| **Application Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (29 reviews) | 

#### Desktop Management

| Feature | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Desktop Provisioning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.1 (33 reviews) | 
| **Image Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (32 reviews) | 
| **Load Balancing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.3 (24 reviews) | 

#### Support

| Feature | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Device Portability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.0 (27 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.4 (17 reviews) | 
| **Single Sign-On (SSO)** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.5 (19 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.8 (27 reviews) | 
| **Access Controls and Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (27 reviews) | 

### Server Virtualization

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Proxmox VE** | 9.0/10 | 13 |
| **VMware ESXi** | 9.0/10 | 18 |
| **XenServer** | N/A | N/A |
| **VirtualBox** | 8.1/10 | 14 |

#### Performance

| Feature | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 9.4 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (13 reviews) | 
| **Portability** | 8.5 (12 reviews) | 8.7 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (13 reviews) | 
| **Data Recovery** | 8.8 (10 reviews) | 8.4 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.1 (11 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **OS Integration** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 9.3 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.8 (13 reviews) | 
| **Resource Saving** | 9.2 (12 reviews) | 9.1 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (13 reviews) | 
| **Performance Management** | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 9.1 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.6 (14 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 9.3 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Server Virtualization

| Feature | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Server Virtualization Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization)




**Unique to VirtualBox (1):** [Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Proxmox VE | VMware ESXi | XenServer | VirtualBox | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 62.9% | 31.6% | 12.8% | 43.8% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 28.6% | 52.6% | 31.9% | 34.4% | 
| **Enterprise** | 8.6% | 15.8% | 55.3% | 21.9% | 

### By Industry

#### Proxmox VE

- **Information Technology and Services:** 41.2%
- **Computer Software:** 11.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 11.8%
- **Oil & Energy:** 5.9%
- **Internet:** 5.9%
- **Consumer Goods:** 5.9%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 2.9%
- **International Affairs:** 2.9%
- **Higher Education:** 2.9%
- **Financial Services:** 2.9%
- **Other:** 5.9%

#### VMware ESXi

- **Information Technology and Services:** 47.4%
- **Telecommunications:** 10.5%
- **Food Production:** 10.5%
- **Accounting:** 10.5%
- **Manufacturing:** 5.3%
- **Luxury Goods & Jewelry:** 5.3%
- **Insurance:** 5.3%
- **Computer Software:** 5.3%

#### XenServer

- **Information Technology and Services:** 22.9%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 14.6%
- **Higher Education:** 10.4%
- **Education Management:** 6.3%
- **Utilities:** 4.2%
- **Telecommunications:** 4.2%
- **Retail:** 4.2%
- **Computer Software:** 4.2%
- **Civil Engineering:** 2.1%
- **Computer Hardware:** 2.1%
- **Other:** 25.0%

#### VirtualBox

- **Information Technology and Services:** 23.6%
- **Computer Software:** 22.2%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 7.3%
- **Telecommunications:** 4.9%
- **Internet:** 4.5%
- **Education Management:** 3.8%
- **Higher Education:** 2.1%
- **Computer Networking:** 2.1%
- **Program Development:** 1.7%
- **Accounting:** 1.4%
- **Other:** 26.4%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Proxmox VE

- [VMware vSphere](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (761 reviews)
- [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (391 reviews)
- [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (324 reviews)
- [Oracle VM](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-vm/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/products/suse-linux-enterprise-server/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (72 reviews)
- [Virtuozzo](https://www.g2.com/products/virtuozzo/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (55 reviews)
- [antsle Private Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/antsle-private-cloud/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [SQL Server on Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/sql-server-on-virtual-machines/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [Red Hat Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-virtualization/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (15 reviews)
- [Xen Project](https://www.g2.com/products/xen-project/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (5 reviews)

### Alternatives to VMware ESXi

- [Xen Project](https://www.g2.com/products/xen-project/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (5 reviews)
- [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (391 reviews)
- [Oracle VM](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-vm/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (324 reviews)
- [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (952 reviews)
- [Virtuozzo](https://www.g2.com/products/virtuozzo/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (55 reviews)
- [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (286 reviews)
- [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2380 reviews)
- [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (974 reviews)
- [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (303 reviews)

### Alternatives to XenServer

- [VMware vSphere](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (761 reviews)
- [Oracle VM](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-vm/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [Xen Project](https://www.g2.com/products/xen-project/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (5 reviews)
- [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (391 reviews)
- [Red Hat Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-virtualization/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (15 reviews)
- [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2380 reviews)
- [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (324 reviews)
- [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (952 reviews)
- [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (974 reviews)
- [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (303 reviews)

### Alternatives to VirtualBox

- [Citrix DaaS](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (546 reviews)
- [VMware vSphere](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (761 reviews)
- [VMware Workstation Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-workstation-pro/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (138 reviews)
- [VMware Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-fusion/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (126 reviews)
- [Amazon WorkSpaces](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-workspaces/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (108 reviews)
- [Vagrant](https://www.g2.com/products/vagrant/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (32 reviews)
- [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (391 reviews)
- [V2 Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/v2-cloud/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (247 reviews)
- [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (952 reviews)
- [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2380 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Proxmox VE

- Title: [Possibility of importing virtual machines from other platforms](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12585-possibility-of-importing-virtual-machines-from-other-platforms) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "While the answer is yes, unfortunately at the time of writing importing ova files for example isn't a gui based thing.  An example is here:..."
- Title: [What operating system is proxmox?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-operating-system-is-proxmox) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Proxmox VE is a complete operating system based on Debian Linux"
- Title: [Is proxmox still free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-proxmox-still-free) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Its still free and great!"

### VMware ESXi

No discussions available for this product.

### XenServer

No discussions available for this product.

### VirtualBox

- Title: [How do I create a virtual machine in VirtualBox?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-create-a-virtual-machine-in-virtualbox) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Install Virtual Box on virtual box site.
after installation click on #New option
then get a name what types of os you want to install like Centos
then..."
- Title: [Is VirtualBox free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-virtualbox-free) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes it is"
- Title: [How easy is it to install VirtualBox and what is it used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/10403-que-ta-facil-es-instalar-virtual-box-y-para-que-nos-sirve) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "It is relatively easy to install, you just need to run its installer and follow the quick installation steps. It helps us to simulate different operating..."
- Title: [What is VirtualBox software virtualization?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-virtualbox-software-virtualization) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "You can run an OS virtually inside the software (virtualbox) without affecting the local OS.
The services of the virtualized OS could be limited but you can..."
- Title: [How does virtual box work?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-does-virtual-box-work) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It uses the machine resources to allocate and run another machine. It's like having another pc, that shares your resources with the main one."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/proxmox-ve-vs-vmware-esxi-vs-xenserver-vs-virtualbox)