VMware Cloud Foundation Reviews & Product Details

Across all locations, VCF standardizes the infrastructure stack. Prior to VCF, different sites had varying configurations (different versions of vSphere, unique networking layouts), making troubleshooting complex; first step was identifying what made that site different. With VCF, all compute/storage/network components are deployed similarly every time.

Lifecycle automation via SDDC Manager eliminates our manual efforts for patching. Previously, patching was completed over the weekends and executed one host at-a-time. We can now apply updates to workloads, and the system performs the updates.

Being able to run VMs and containers on the same platform provides developers access to both without implementing separate Kubernetes clusters with Tanzu-enabled services. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The licensing modifications that have occurred since Broadcom's acquisition have been considerably difficult. The amount we paid previously is no longer what we pay now, and the subscription model just appears to increase in price each year. Several reviews found on Gartner's site show similar results -- the cost of licenses has risen substantially.

There is also an increased learning curve associated with how you utilize the lifecycle tooling and NSX. When team members have not been involved in prior upgrades and are new to the team, they will likely have difficulties with the automation segment of those upgrades because they will not have gone through the upgrading process; therefore, they'll need time to adjust to using the automation capabilities that are part of the upgrades. Because you must have certified hardware to run the lifecycle tooling/automation software, having certified hardware may inhibit your ability to use existing servers as resources for the new lifecycle tooling and automation systems because of the hardware compatibility requirements. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like best about VMware Cloud Foundation is how it simplifies the management of complex infrastructure by bringing compute, storage, networking, and security into a single integrated platform. Instead of managing each layer separately, everything is centrally managed with built-in automation and lifecycle management. This reduces operational effort, improves consistency, and makes it much easier to deploy, scale, and maintain hybrid cloud environments. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One area where VMware Cloud Foundation can improve is cost flexibility. The licensing and overall investment can be high, particularly for small and mid-sized organizations, so more modular or usage-based pricing would help. Additionally, the platform has a steep learning curve due to the integration of multiple VMware components. More simplified onboarding, clearer documentation, and guided setup workflows would make it easier for new users to adopt and manage the platform effectively. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like the stability and predictability that VMware Cloud Foundation brings once the environment is set up properly. The integration with vSAN and NSX feels very enterprise-grade, and performance remains consistent even when workload demand increases. Additionally, from an operations perspective, it makes troubleshooting easier as the stack is designed to work together, rather than feeling like separate tools stitched up. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The biggest downside is the complexity - it's not something you can just 'pickup and configure' without proper planning and VMware knowledge. Licensing and cost can also feel heavy, especially if you are not using the full stack. Also, when something breaks, the dependency chain is big, so troubleshooting can sometimes take longer than expected. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like VMware Cloud Foundation for its automated lifecycle management through SDDC Manager, which significantly reduces upgrade complexity and operational risk. NSX microsegmentation is also a feature I really value as it provides strong internal security controls and visibility, crucial for our cybersecurity environment. SDDC Manager is extremely helpful as it orchestrates upgrades and patches across the entire stack—vSphere, vSAN, and NSX. The platform allows us to define workload-level firewall rules, strengthening our internal security posture beyond just perimeter security. It's a highly integrated, secure, and automated platform, which motivated our transition from using standalone vSphere and NSX deployments. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One challenge is the licensing and overall cost, which can be significant for larger or scaling environments. The licensing model can be expensive because it bundles multiple components - vSphere, vSAN, NSX, SDDC Manager each with its own cost, which adds up quickly for larger deployments. It can be difficult to predict total cost when scaling and some features are only available in higher-tier license. A potential improvement would be more flexible, modular licensing options that allow organizations to pay only for the components and features they actively use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like most about VMware Cloud Foundation is the livepatching, as it allows us to apply security patches more quickly and less invasively on any critical service. Additionally, it centralizes the entire infrastructure, facilitating operation, monitoring, and management, which allows us to make continuous improvements. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

In my case, the NSX part is not that it doesn't work well, rather it's that due to the type of infrastructure we have, we won't be able to make the most of this functionality even if we have it available. Initially, it was a bit more complex since we didn't have internet access for the installer and had to make a first attempt using an offline bundle, but once we were able to provide internet access to the VMware Cloud Foundation installer, everything flowed much faster. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

VMware Cloud Foundation delivers an integrated software-defined stack that unifies compute, storage, networking, and container management. The automated lifecycle management through SDDC Manager eliminates manual patching headaches, allowing to schedule updates per workload domain and update development environments independently from production.

The native integration of vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and Tanzu provides a genuine hybrid cloud foundation without third-party components. NSX enables micro-segmentation and distributed firewalls that significantly enhance security. Running both Kubernetes workloads and traditional VMs on the same infrastructure reduces management complexity considerably.

VMware Cloud Builder automates the initial deployment, transforming a multi-day manual process into a streamlined workflow. The stretched cluster capability across availability zones provides high availability without complex replication solutions. The unified operations experience consolidates monitoring, provisioning, and orchestration into a single interface. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The licensing model has become more complicated and expensive after Broadcom’s acquisition, with increased costs impacting mid-sized organizations. Documentation is fragmented across multiple sections, making it challenging to locate specific guidance. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like VMware Cloud Foundation's integrated, end-to-end stack with automated lifecycle management. The way compute, storage, networking, and security are tightly integrated and upgraded together really reduces operational effort and minimizes risk during updates. It keeps the environment consistent across both on-premises and cloud. The automated lifecycle management is also great as it handles deployments, patches, and upgrades across the whole stack in a coordinated way, saving time and reducing human error. This makes it much easier to keep the environment secure and up to date. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main areas for improvement are the cost and complexity. Licensing can be expensive and sometimes hard to understand, and the initial setup and day-to-day management require solid VMware expertise. It could also be improved with simpler onboarding and more streamlined troubleshooting tools. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like best about VMware Cloud Foundation is its ability to deliver a fully integrated and automated hybrid cloud platform. It simplifies infrastructure management by combining compute, storage, networking, and security into a single solution, enabling faster deployments, consistent operations, and improved scalability across on-premises and cloud environments. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One thing I dislike about VMware Cloud Foundation is its complexity and cost, especially for smaller teams or organizations. The initial setup and ongoing management can be challenging, and licensing can be expensive, which may limit flexibility for more lightweight or specialized use cases. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use VMware Cloud Foundation to build and manage a unified private cloud infrastructure. I like the tight integration of compute, storage, networking, and security into a single platform. The automation and lifecycle management features save a lot of time and reduce the risk of configuration errors. I appreciate the consistency it provides across environments, which makes operations more predictable, along with its strong scalability and enterprise-grade reliability. The automation and tight integration greatly simplify daily operations and reduce manual work, which helps me focus on higher-value tasks. VMware Cloud Foundation offers a robust, integrated, and reliable platform, and the long-term operational benefits and scalability make it a solid choice for enterprise environments. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One area that could be improved is the initial setup and learning curve, which can be complex for teams that are new to VMware Cloud Foundation. The platform is very powerful, but this also means it requires solid planning and expertise to deploy and operate effectively. Additionally, licensing and cost structure can be challenging to navigate, and clearer documentation or simplified workflows in some areas would help improve the overall user experience. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like the level of integration and automation VMware Cloud Foundation provides. It simplifies infrastructure management by offering a unified platform for compute, storage, and networking, making the management process much more streamlined. I also enjoy the centralized management and visibility it provides. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I don't like the complexity of the initial setup and configuration. The deployment process can be time-consuming and requires a lot of planning and expertise. It's moderately complex but manageable with proper documentation and preparation. It can be improved. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.