# Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs VMware vSphere Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that VMware vSphere excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a higher G2 Score compared to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Users appreciate its comprehensive features like **HA, DRS, and replication** , which are essential for enterprise-grade virtualization.
- **Users say** that Red Hat Enterprise Linux is particularly strong in security and scripting capabilities, with many highlighting its ability to **write and run scripts** and schedule tasks using cron. This makes it a preferred choice for enterprises focused on security and automation.
- **Reviewers mention** that VMware vSphere offers a more intuitive management experience, with many finding it **easy to deploy** and manage resources effectively. This ease of use is a significant advantage for teams looking to streamline their virtualization processes.
- **According to verified reviews** , Red Hat Enterprise Linux has a strong reputation for being a reliable partner in business, with users noting its **high-quality support** and ability to meet enterprise needs, which is crucial for long-term projects.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that while VMware vSphere has a slight edge in scalability and integration capabilities, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is praised for its **robust security features** , making it a solid choice for organizations prioritizing data protection.
- **Users report** that both products have their strengths, but VMware vSphere's extensive feature set and support make it a go-to for many enterprises, while Red Hat Enterprise Linux is favored for its **command line capabilities** and security focus, appealing to users with specific technical needs.



| | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 974 | 761 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (51.0% of reviews) | Enterprise (43.6% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Pros:
- Stability (58 reviews)
- Security (57 reviews)

Cons:
- High Cost (33 reviews)
- Expensive (21 reviews)

### VMware vSphere

Pros:
- Ease of Use (138 reviews)
- Virtualization Management (110 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (106 reviews)
- Licensing Issues (70 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (502 reviews) | 9.2 (338 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.4 (768 reviews) | 8.9 (620 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.5 (575 reviews) | 8.6 (562 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.5 (295 reviews) | 9.0 (277 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.8 (485 reviews) | 8.5 (313 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (282 reviews) | 8.6 (283 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.9 (482 reviews) | 8.0 (335 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### VMware vSphere

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Server Virtualization

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.7/10 | 46 |
| **VMware vSphere** | 8.4/10 | 182 |

#### Performance

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | 8.8 (44 reviews) | 9.2 (171 reviews) | 
| **Portability** | 8.8 (42 reviews) | 8.9 (167 reviews) | 
| **Data Recovery** | 8.6 (40 reviews) | 8.8 (171 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **OS Integration** | 9.0 (43 reviews) | 9.2 (167 reviews) | 
| **Resource Saving** | 8.6 (41 reviews) | 9.1 (167 reviews) | 
| **Performance Management** | 9.0 (41 reviews) | 9.0 (172 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 9.1 (42 reviews) | 8.9 (166 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Server Virtualization

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 7.5 (17 reviews) | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 8.0 (16 reviews) | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (18 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 7.3 (16 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 7.2 (17 reviews) | 
| **Decision Making** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 7.5 (17 reviews) | 

### Container Engine

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.8/10 | 24 |
| **VMware vSphere** | N/A | N/A |

#### Application Support

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Deployment** | 8.9 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Interface support** | 8.7 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Processor support** | 8.7 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Application Support** | 8.6 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### System Capability

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Self Healing High Availability** | 8.3 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Orchestration** | 8.1 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Scalability** | 8.9 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Automatic Security Updates** | 9.1 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Security updates** | 9.3 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Operating System

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.2/10 | 33 |
| **VMware vSphere** | N/A | N/A |

#### Memory Management - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **RAM management** | 8.6 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Device Management - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **I/O management** | 8.5 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Backup and Recovery - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data backup** | 7.5 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Error Detection - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **System operations monitoring** | 8.2 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### IoT Operating Systems

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.2/10 | 9 |
| **VMware vSphere** | N/A | N/A |

#### Security

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Access Controls** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Network Security** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cryptography** | 8.3 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

**Unique to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (3):** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system), [IoT Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/iot-operating-systems), [Container Engine Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/container-engine)

**Unique to VMware vSphere (1):** [Container Orchestration Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/container-orchestration)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | VMware vSphere | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 19.4% | 14.4% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 29.6% | 42.0% | 
| **Enterprise** | 51.0% | 43.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.4%
- **Computer Software:** 11.3%
- **Telecommunications:** 6.5%
- **Financial Services:** 5.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 5.0%
- **Banking:** 4.3%
- **Higher Education:** 3.7%
- **Defense & Space:** 3.4%
- **Government Administration:** 2.4%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.1%
- **Other:** 35.1%

#### VMware vSphere

- **Information Technology and Services:** 15.4%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 5.4%
- **Government Administration:** 5.1%
- **Financial Services:** 5.0%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.0%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 4.5%
- **Computer Software:** 4.2%
- **Banking:** 4.1%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.9%
- **Higher Education:** 3.4%
- **Other:** 44.1%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Red Hat Enterprise Linux

- [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2380 reviews)
- [Apple iOS](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-ios/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1558 reviews)
- [Windows 7](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-7/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (894 reviews)
- [macOS Sierra](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-macos-sierra/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (481 reviews)
- [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (425 reviews)
- [Oracle Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (345 reviews)
- [Android](https://www.g2.com/products/android/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1272 reviews)
- [Debian](https://www.g2.com/products/debian/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (218 reviews)
- [Fedora](https://www.g2.com/products/fedora/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (211 reviews)
- [Linux Mint](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (188 reviews)

### Alternatives to VMware vSphere

- [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (303 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)
- [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (291 reviews)
- [Scale Computing Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/scale-computing-platform/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (265 reviews)
- [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (746 reviews)
- [Oracle VM](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-vm/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [XenServer](https://www.g2.com/products/xenserver/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (49 reviews)
- [Proxmox VE](https://www.g2.com/products/proxmox-ve/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (36 reviews)
- [Red Hat Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-virtualization/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (15 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

- Title: [What in RHEL you guys love?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/35917-what-in-rhel-you-guys-love) — 4 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Stability, Security, Lifeycle, World class Support "
- Title: [Why should I use Red Hat Linux?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/why-should-i-use-red-hat-linux) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "If you are looking for a stable, reliable, and secure operating system, then Red Hat Linux is a great choice. Google uses Red Hat Enterprise Linux to power..."
- Title: [What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/red-hat-enterprise-linux-what-is-red-hat-enterprise-linux-used-for-19dd5271-6d29-4249-956f-b8dc44f0ce30) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is an Operating System"
- Title: [What are the six key features of Red Hat Enterprise Linux?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-six-key-features-of-red-hat-enterprise-linux) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Lightweight
cost-effective with enterprise licensing
easy to use
most of the software is compatible
most acceptable OS
multiple option for Administrators
"
- Title: [What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/red-hat-enterprise-linux-what-is-red-hat-enterprise-linux-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "RedHat is an organization that comes up with products like Linux bundles, cloud computing components, middleware products, cloud management tools, and..."

### 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/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-vmware-vsphere)