The best thing about IBM i is its incredible reliability and integrated security. It is a 'set it and forget it' system that handles massive workloads without crashing, which gives our team total peace of mind for mission-critical operations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The traditional green-screen interface can feel outdated for newer developers, making the learning curve a bit steep. Additionally, finding young talent specialized in RPG or system administration for IBM i is becoming increasingly difficult in the current market Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

IBM i is a highly secure, reliable, and scalable system that continues to stand out in the enterprise computing world. Its unique integration of hardware and operating system provides a seamless experience for users, developers, and administrators alike.

One of the key strengths of IBM i is its robust security architecture, making it one of the most securable platforms available. Its proven reliability ensures uninterrupted business operations, while its scalability allows organizations to grow without worrying about performance limitations.

In addition, IBM i integrates a wide range of open-source technologies, enabling modern application development and flexibility. The built-in WebSphere Application Server (WAS) and Integrated Web Services (IWS) further enhance development capabilities, providing businesses with powerful tools to build and deploy applications efficiently.

Overall, IBM i offers a trusted, modern, and future-ready environment for enterprises looking for a dependable platform with unmatched security, scalability, and development features. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One challenge with IBM i is that many long-time users are not always fully prepared for the continuous changes and new capabilities being introduced. While IBM i evolves to support modern technologies, some organizations face difficulties in adapting quickly, especially when shifting from traditional workloads to newer approaches such as open-source integration, cloud readiness, and modern development practices. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I appreciate IBM i for its incredible stability and low-maintenance requirements, allowing the system to operate smoothly without constant troubleshooting. The integration of the operating system, security, virtualization, and the Db2 database into a single platform offers outstanding efficiency, especially suited for transaction-heavy workloads like ERP, finance, and manufacturing systems. Its ability to ensure 24/7 uptime is crucial for mission-critical business applications. I find the built-in security features exceptionally strong, making data protection robust and ensuring compliance with security standards. The system effectively handles heavy business workloads without performance issues, making it a reliable choice for business-critical operations. In addition, the ease of initial setup is a significant advantage, as many components are already integrated, reducing the complexity of configuration. Moreover, the compatibility with other tools and software, such as SQL tools and modern monitoring solutions, and its capability to work well with cloud services, extend its functionality and help in integrating legacy applications with newer technologies seamlessly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

IBM i presents several challenges that could be improved. First, modernization efforts can be difficult, especially when working with older RPG or COBOL applications. The platform's interface feels outdated, which can hinder productivity and make it less appealing compared to more modern systems. Additionally, integrating IBM i with newer technologies requires extra effort, as it is not as seamless as with other contemporary platforms. Another concern is the difficulty in finding skilled professionals experienced with IBM i, which can limit a team's ability to effectively utilize and maintain the system. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The reliability of the platform is great because of its integrated hardware and software model. It is easy to use, easy to get support, and was really easy to implement. Our IBM business partner was able to rack mount our new Power Server and get us up and running in less than an hour. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It is an expensive platform since software and hardware only come from a single source. However, on the flip side it is a very reliable platform. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I appreciate how IBM i provides a singular solution to backend management by running our databases efficiently. This capability makes it easier to handle data and consolidates operations, which is crucial for our business. One of the most beneficial aspects is how it simplifies ownership and management, allowing for more streamlined processes. I value the singular terminal feature as it grants access to all important stats and data from a centralized location, which significantly enhances efficiency and data accessibility. Additionally, I find the initial setup of IBM i to be incredibly simple, which minimizes downtime and allows for quicker implementation in our systems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I feel that IBM i could be a little bit more user-friendly. Its user interface is atrocious to learn, making it challenging for new users or for those who are not familiar with its system. This steep learning curve can lead to frustration and inefficiency in utilizing the system effectively. Improving the intuitiveness and accessibility of the user interface would greatly enhance its usability. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

IBM i stands out for its stability, security, and ease of management. Its integrated design helps organizations run applications efficiently while requiring less maintenance compared to many other platforms. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main drawback is the steep learning curve for beginners and the need for additional effort when integrating certain modern technologies and tools. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Integrated architecture, Reliability and uptime and Security model Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Smaller talent pool, Finding experienced IBM i admins or developers—especially people strong in RPG plus modern integration practices—can be difficult compared with Linux, cloud, or mainstream enterprise stacks and cost Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use IBM i for skill-building activities, particularly focusing on data management and analytics. It's been helpful in guiding me through data management and enhancing my database skills. I find IBM to be a good company that assists significantly in performing these tasks. The process of filtering, cleaning, and managing raw data in databases is now smoother with IBM i. Also, the initial setup felt like gliding, which I appreciate. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

All good Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Reliability, low maintenance, pricing, security- Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Doesn't fit is some generic cloud infrastruture, only runs on IBM Power Systems processors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

IBM i offers outstanding stability and security. Its integrated database (Db2 for i) is extremely powerful, and backward compatibility is a major advantage — applications developed 20+ years ago still run flawlessly. At the same time, IBM i supports modern technologies like RPG Free Format, native SQL, REST APIs, Python, Node.js, and more. As both a trainer and developer, I appreciate the centralized management, integrated file system, and rich diagnostic and analysis tools. It’s a platform designed to last and evolve. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main drawback of IBM i is its outdated reputation — many still associate it with "legacy AS/400" systems, which makes it harder to attract new developers. Some IBM tools (like RDi) can also be a bit complex or unintuitive for beginners. Additionally, license costs can be high, especially for small businesses, and skilled local partners are sometimes hard to find, which can slow down modernization efforts. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.