# Top 10 VMware vSphere Alternatives & Competitors **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Number of Reviews:** 772 Research alternative solutions to VMware vSphere on G2, with real user reviews on competing tools. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to VMware vSphere include user interface and features. The best overall VMware vSphere alternative is Azure Virtual Machines. Other similar apps like VMware vSphere are Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI), SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite, Red Hat OpenShift, and DigitalOcean. VMware vSphere alternatives can be found in [Server Virtualization Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization) but may also be in [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas) or [Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/hyperconverged-infrastructure-hci-solutions). ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to VMware vSphere - [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite/reviews) - [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) - [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) - [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) - [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/products/suse-linux-enterprise-server/reviews) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) - [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) ## Top 10 Alternatives to VMware vSphere Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how VMware vSphere stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Information Technology and Services, Financial Services, and Computer Software, and find the best product for your business. ### 1. [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) By Microsoft **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 393 Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) are scalable, on-demand computing resources provided by Microsoft Azure, enabling users to deploy and manage virtualized Windows and Linux servers in the cloud. These VMs support a wide range of workloads, from simple web applications to complex enterprise solutions, offering flexibility and control over computing resources without the need for physical hardware maintenance. Key Features and Functionality: - Diverse VM Series: Azure offers various VM series tailored to specific needs: - General Purpose (D-series, B-series): Balanced CPU-to-memory ratio, suitable for web servers and small to medium databases. - Compute Optimized (F-series): High CPU-to-memory ratio, ideal for CPU-intensive tasks like batch processing. - Memory Optimized (E-series): High memory-to-CPU ratio, designed for in-memory applications and large databases. - Storage Optimized (L-series): High disk throughput and IOPS, perfect for big data and data warehousing. - GPU-enabled (N-series): Equipped with GPUs for graphics-intensive and machine learning workloads. - Operating System Support: Azure VMs support a broad range of operating systems, including various distributions of Linux and all supported versions of Windows Server. - Scalability and Availability: Features like Virtual Machine Scale Sets allow for automatic scaling of applications, and Availability Sets ensure high availability by distributing VMs across multiple physical servers. - Integrated Security: Built-in security features include Azure Security Center for threat detection and response, and compliance with various industry standards. - Cost Management: Options like Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances and Azure Hybrid Benefit help optimize costs, while Azure Spot Virtual Machines offer significant discounts for interruptible workloads. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: Azure Virtual Machines offer businesses the ability to quickly deploy and manage scalable computing resources without the overhead of maintaining physical hardware. This flexibility allows organizations to respond rapidly to changing demands, optimize costs through various pricing options, and ensure high availability and security for their applications. By leveraging Azure VMs, users can focus on developing and running their applications while Azure handles the underlying infrastructure, leading to increased operational efficiency and agility. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, Azure Virtual Machines is: - Slower to reach roi - Easier to do business with Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare Azure Virtual Machines with other alternatives:** - [Azure Virtual Machines vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-digitalocean) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-virtualbox) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-google-compute-engine) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Azure Virtual Machines vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-vultr) ### 2. [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) By Nutanix **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 333 Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) combines feature-rich software-defined storage with built-in virtualization in a turnkey hyperconverged infrastructure solution that can run any application at any scale. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) is: - Slower to reach roi - Better at support - Easier to do business with Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/hyperconverged-infrastructure-hci-solutions) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) with other alternatives:** - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-virtualbox) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-vultr) ### 3. [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite/reviews) By Scale Computing **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 329 Scale Computing is a global business with offices around the world, thousands of customers, and countless applications now running on Scale Computing Platform. Strategic partners include market leaders such as Google, Intel, APC Schneider, Lenovo, NEC, BCDVideo, and others. Some of the largest organizations in the world trust SC//Platform to run critical infrastructure, such as Hilton Hotels, Steel Dynamics, Farm Bureau Insurance, McDonald’s, Sumitomo Corporation, Delhaize, Holiday Inn, Air Liquide, and many others. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite is: - Slower to reach roi - Better at support - Easier to do business with Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/hyperconverged-infrastructure-hci-solutions) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite with other alternatives:** - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite-vs-virtualbox) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite-vs-vultr) ### 4. [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) By Red Hat **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 306 Red Hat OpenShift is a platform for creating and deploying any application, quickly and easily, on virtually any infrastructure. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, Red Hat OpenShift is: - Slower to reach roi - Easier to do business with Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Container Orchestration](https://www.g2.com/categories/container-orchestration) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare Red Hat OpenShift with other alternatives:** - [Red Hat OpenShift vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-virtualbox) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Red Hat OpenShift vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-vultr) ### 5. [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) By DigitalOcean **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 756 DigitalOcean provides the best tools to control your virtual server in the cloud. Learn how we deliver the most intuitive interface and features so you can start building your web infrastructure today. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, DigitalOcean is: - Easier to set up - Easier to do business with - More usable Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Container Orchestration](https://www.g2.com/categories/container-orchestration), [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare DigitalOcean with other alternatives:** - [DigitalOcean vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-digitalocean) - [DigitalOcean vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci) - [DigitalOcean vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [DigitalOcean vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [DigitalOcean vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-virtualbox) - [DigitalOcean vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-google-compute-engine) - [DigitalOcean vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [DigitalOcean vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [DigitalOcean vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-vultr) ### 6. [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) By Oracle **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 294 Oracle VM VirtualBox is a free, open-source, cross-platform virtualization software that enables users to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single device. Designed for IT professionals and developers, VirtualBox supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Oracle Solaris as host operating systems, making it ideal for testing, development, demonstration, and deployment across diverse platforms. Key Features and Functionality: - Cross-Platform Compatibility: VirtualBox runs on various host operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Oracle Solaris, and supports a wide range of guest operating systems. - High Performance: The software leverages the latest in chip-level support for virtualization, including support for AMD, Intel, and Apple silicon processors, to provide faster execution times for guest operating systems. - 3D Graphics Support: VirtualBox includes VBoxSVGA and VMSVGA interfaces to improve 3D graphics performance. - USB Device Support: It implements a virtual USB controller, allowing users to connect arbitrary USB devices to virtual machines without installing device-specific drivers on the host. - Disk Image Encryption: VirtualBox supports 128 or 256-bit data encryption keys, enabling transparent encryption of data stored in hard disk images using the AES algorithm. - Remote Machine Display: The VirtualBox Remote Desktop Extension (VRDE) enables high-performance remote access to running virtual machines, supporting the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) with additional features like full client USB support. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: VirtualBox addresses several key challenges for its users: - Cost Reduction: By allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single device, VirtualBox reduces the need for multiple physical machines, thereby lowering hardware and operational costs. - Development Efficiency: Developers can test applications across different operating systems and versions using the same desktop environment, accelerating the development and testing process. - Simplified Software Distribution: Solution providers can distribute applications within a VirtualBox virtual machine, ensuring compatibility across various operating systems and versions without additional configuration. - Legacy Application Support: IT teams can extend the lifespan of legacy applications by running them on modern hardware through VirtualBox, avoiding the need for costly application rewrites or hardware replacements. - Secure Remote Access: VirtualBox facilitates secure access to restricted applications for remote workers by providing encrypted and isolated environments, ensuring data security and compliance without extensive rearchitecting of applications. In summary, Oracle VM VirtualBox offers a versatile and efficient solution for running multiple operating systems on a single device, enhancing development workflows, reducing costs, and providing secure, cross-platform compatibility for various IT needs. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, VirtualBox is: - Easier to set up - More usable Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/vmware-vsphere-vs-virtualbox) **Compare VirtualBox with other alternatives:** - [VirtualBox vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/suse-linux-enterprise-server-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-virtualbox) - [VirtualBox vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/virtualbox-vs-vultr) ### 7. [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) By Google **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 953 Compute Engine enables you to create and run large-scale workloads on virtual machines hosted on Google Cloud. Get running quickly with pre-built and ready-to-go configurations or create machines of your own with the optimal amount of vCPU and memory required for your workload. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, Google Compute Engine is: - Easier to do business with - Easier to set up Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare Google Compute Engine with other alternatives:** - [Google Compute Engine vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-google-compute-engine) - [Google Compute Engine vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci) - [Google Compute Engine vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [Google Compute Engine vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Google Compute Engine vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-google-compute-engine) - [Google Compute Engine vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-virtualbox) - [Google Compute Engine vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [Google Compute Engine vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Google Compute Engine vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-vultr) ### 8. [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/products/suse-linux-enterprise-server/reviews) By SUSE **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 72 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is a world-class, secure open source server operating system, built to power physical, virtual and cloud-based mission-critical workloads. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is: - Slower to reach roi - Easier to do business with - Easier to set up Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/suse-linux-enterprise-server-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with other alternatives:** - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/suse-linux-enterprise-server-vs-virtualbox) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/suse-linux-enterprise-server-vs-vultr) ### 9. [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) By Red Hat **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 977 Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a enterprise operating system designed to provide a secure, stable, and high-performance environment for modern IT infrastructures. It supports a wide range of applications across physical, virtual, and cloud environments, making it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes. Key Features and Functionality: - Security: RHEL offers live kernel patching, security profiles, and adheres to security standards certifications, ensuring a robust defense against vulnerabilities. - Consistent Lifecycle: The operating system follows a predictable lifecycle with three phases: full support, maintenance support, and an extended life phase, providing long-term stability and planning capabilities. - Cloud Integration: RHEL is optimized for cloud environments and collaborates with major cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, facilitating seamless workload migration and management. - Developer Access: Red Hat provides developers with free access to RHEL through the "Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Business Developers" platform, allowing up to 25 instances for development purposes. Primary Value and Solutions: RHEL addresses the need for a reliable and secure operating system that can handle diverse workloads across various environments. Its comprehensive security features mitigate risks, while the consistent lifecycle ensures long-term support and stability. The integration with leading cloud providers simplifies cloud adoption and management, and the provision of free developer access fosters innovation and accelerates application development. Overall, RHEL empowers organizations to build, deploy, and manage applications efficiently, aligning with business demands for production-readiness and operational excellence. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is: - Slower to reach roi - Better at support - Easier to do business with Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-vmware-vsphere) **Compare Red Hat Enterprise Linux with other alternatives:** - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-red-hat-red-hat-openshift) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-virtualbox) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-suse-linux-enterprise-server) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-vultr) ### 10. [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) By Vultr Holdings LLC **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Reviews:** 288 Vultr offers a standardized highly reliable high performance cloud compute environment with 14 datacenters around the globe. Reviewers say compared to VMware vSphere, Vultr is: - Easier to set up - More usable - Easier to do business with Categories in common with VMware vSphere: [Server Virtualization](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas) **Compare:** [VMware vSphere vs Vultr](https://www.g2.com/compare/vmware-vsphere-vs-vultr) **Compare Vultr with other alternatives:** - [Vultr vs Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-virtual-machines-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/compare/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/compare/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-red-hat-openshift-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/compare/digitalocean-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/compare/virtualbox-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-compute-engine-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.g2.com/compare/suse-linux-enterprise-server-vs-vultr) - [Vultr vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-vultr) --- ## VMware vSphere Alternatives FAQs ### How does VMware vSphere compare to Red Hat OpenShift? According to G2 data, both [VMware vSphere](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-vsphere/reviews) and [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) hold an equal average rating of 4.5 out of 5, with vSphere having 761 reviews and OpenShift 304 reviews. VMware vSphere excels in meeting requirements with a score of 9.2 versus OpenShift's 8.7, and is rated higher in usability (8.9 vs 8.2), ease of setup (8.6 vs 7.8), ease of administration (9.0 vs 8.6), and support (8.5 vs 8.4). Both products share the same score for ease of doing business (8.6). User sentiment highlights that vSphere is praised for ease of use (69 mentions), virtualization management (57 mentions), and reliability (19 mentions), while its main drawbacks are high cost (56 mentions) and licensing complexity (31 mentions). OpenShift is favored for ease of use (36 mentions), features (34 mentions), Kubernetes management (21 mentions), and scalability (19 mentions), with cons including learning curve (25 mentions), complexity (17 mentions), and cost (12 mentions). VMware vSphere offers a mature, stable virtualization platform with centralized management, high availability, and resource optimization, suited for enterprise-grade workloads. Red Hat OpenShift provides an enterprise-grade Kubernetes platform that simplifies container orchestration, developer workflows, and security, but with a steeper learning curve and higher complexity in setup and configuration. ### What are the best alternatives to VMware vSphere? The best alternatives to VMware vSphere based on user ratings and review counts include [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) (4.4/5 stars, 393 reviews), [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) (4.5/5 stars, 328 reviews), [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) (4.5/5 stars, 304 reviews), [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite/reviews) (4.7/5 stars, 265 reviews), and [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 749 reviews). These alternatives are favored for their ease of use, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and strong support. For example, Azure Virtual Machines is praised for its flexible VM configurations and seamless integration with the Azure ecosystem, while Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure is noted for its simplicity, unified management, and efficient scalability. Red Hat OpenShift excels in container orchestration and developer workflows, and SC// HyperCore is recognized for its simplicity, integrated backup, and high availability. DigitalOcean is valued for its intuitive interface, predictable pricing, and developer-friendly tools. ### Which Server Virtualization tools do reviewers recommend instead of VMware vSphere? Reviewers recommend alternatives such as [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) for its flexible scaling and integration, [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) for its ease of administration and unified platform, and [SC// HyperCore Virtualization Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/sc-hypercore-virtualization-suite/reviews) for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) is recommended for containerized application management and Kubernetes orchestration. [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) is favored for straightforward cloud server deployment and transparent pricing. These alternatives are often suggested for organizations seeking easier administration, better cost control, and modern cloud-native capabilities while maintaining robust virtualization features. ### Why do users choose Red Hat OpenShift over VMware vSphere? Users choose [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) over VMware vSphere primarily for its robust Kubernetes orchestration and developer-centric features. OpenShift simplifies Kubernetes complexity by packaging it into an opinionated, enterprise-grade platform that enhances developer workflows and automates manual tasks, as reflected in 36 mentions of ease of use and 34 mentions of features. Its strong security model, including default restricted policies and clear role-based access control, supports enterprise compliance needs effectively. Additionally, OpenShift's scalability and integration capabilities (19 and 17 mentions respectively) make it attractive for managing containerized applications across hybrid cloud environments. Despite a steeper learning curve (25 mentions) and complexity in setup (14 mentions), users appreciate OpenShift's ability to streamline application development and deployment, with 17 mentions of deployment ease and 12 mentions of migration ease. The platform's comprehensive tooling around Kubernetes, including automated scaling, rolling updates, and health checks, provides a smoother path from code to production, which is a decisive factor for organizations prioritizing container orchestration and modern application delivery over traditional virtualization. Cost is noted as a consideration (12 mentions), but users often accept this in exchange for the platform's advanced container management and developer productivity benefits that OpenShift delivers compared to VMware vSphere's virtualization focus. ## Explore Articles - [Best platform for customer success management in the software industry](https://www.g2.com/discussions/best-platform-for-customer-success-management-in-the-software-industry) - [Which digital wayfinding software reduces patient navigation confusion in large healthcare systems without complex implementation?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-digital-wayfinding-software-reduces-patient-navigation-confusion-in-large-healthcare-systems-without-complex-implementation) - [What cloud workload protection platforms work best for a CISO who needs real-time attack detection and breach prevention without a large dedicated security operations center?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-cloud-workload-protection-platforms-work-best-for-a-ciso-who-needs-real-time-attack-detection-and-breach-prevention-without-a-large-dedicated-security-operations-center ) - [Is Chetu worth it as an Oracle PeopleSoft reseller for large-scale enterprise HR implementations, or do global consulting firms like Wipro or TCS deliver better at-scale support?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-chetu-worth-it-as-an-oracle-peoplesoft-reseller-for-large-scale-enterprise-hr-implementations-or-do-global-consulting-firms-like-wipro-or-tcs-deliver-better-at-scale-support) - [Blackbaud Enrollment Management System vs Sawyer: which admissions and enrollment management platform works best for mid-size educational institutions?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/blackbaud-enrollment-management-system-vs-sawyer-which-admissions-and-enrollment-management-platform-works-best-for-mid-size-educational-institutions) - [Which live commerce platforms provide the clearest reporting and analytics for measuring whether live events are actually driving revenue rather than just views?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-live-commerce-platforms-provide-the-clearest-reporting-and-analytics-for-measuring-whether-live-events-are-actually-driving-revenue-rather-than-just-views) ## Spotlight Categories - [Sales Engagement Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/sales-engagement) - [Operational Risk Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/operational-risk-management) - [Performance Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/performance-management)