VMware ESXi Reviews

Name: VMware ESXi
Brand: VMware
Rating: 4.2 (32 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

32 reviews
96% willing to recommend

What is VMware ESXi?

VMware ESXi serves as a hypervisor enabling virtualization by transforming physical servers into virtual infrastructures, supporting efficient server management, development, and production environments.

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VMware ESXi is the #8 ranked solution in best Server Virtualization Software. PeerSpot users give VMware ESXi an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. VMware ESXi is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: VMware ESXi vs Proxmox VE. VMware ESXi is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 53% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a manufacturing company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Helped 861,390 peers since 2012

Featured VMware ESXi reviews

Syed Ali Waqas

Head IT at Burraq Cyber Security Solutions

I recommend new users download and evaluate the free version from VMware's website. Once satisfied, they should purchase the professional version for a smooth and secure IT infrastructure. The professional version is cost-effective, allowing one to create multiple servers on a single server. I'd rate the solution ten out of ten.

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Fozia Nurye

IT Officer at Bank of Abyssinia

I use VMware ESXi to virtualize our servers. I use it as a hypervisor for our physical servers. It helps me virtualize our infrastructure as we have both Linux and Windows environments for my production All the features of VMware ESXi are very beneficial, particularly for virtualizing our…

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Amar Sorro

Team Lead Virtualization at Hybrid Tech

ESXi is a virtualization platform that allows multiple applications to run on the same physical hardware, reducing costs significantly by transforming physical servers into virtual environments. It is known for its stability and reliability, allowing seamless task execution by running directly on the hardware processor. Additionally, ESXi's integration with VMware vCenter offers centralized management. Features like high availability ensure VM migration to another host in case of host failure.

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VMware ESXi mindshare

As of July 2025, the mindshare of VMware ESXi in the Server Virtualization Software category stands at 1.1%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Server Virtualization Software

PeerResearch reports based on VMware ESXi reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Server Virtualization Software	Jul 11, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jul 11, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware ESXi vs Proxmox VE	Jul 11, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware ESXi vs VMware vSphere	Jul 11, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware ESXi vs Hyper-V	Jul 11, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Proxmox VE	4.3	17.5%	98%	62 interviews Add to research
Hyper-V	4.0	14.1%	86%	143 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

VMware ESXi is valued for cost savings via server consolidation, reliability, high availability, and user-friendly management. It simplifies virtualization with features like vMotion, DRS, and hyper-threading. Users appreciate its integration with third-party applications, seamless migration, and centralized vCenter management. ESXi supports efficient resource allocation through memory optimization techniques. Its robustness is favored in enterprise environments, enabling stable and scalable virtualization. The software is lightweight and offers strong networking capabilities and storage virtualization.

"All the features of VMware ESXi are very beneficial, particularly for virtualizing our infrastructure."
"For enterprises seeking scalable and robust solutions, VMware ESXi is highly recommended."
"ESXi's integration with VMware vCenter offers centralized management."

Room for Improvement

Many users suggest that VMware ESXi pricing is high, especially after Broadcom acquisition. Licensing model complexity and recent changes cause dissatisfaction. Improving the user interface and simplifying deployment and password recovery would enhance usability. Users desire easier scalability like Kubernetes and prefer direct OS management links. Enhanced technical support response time is also recommended. Web interface and patching process improvements are needed. Cost structure needs improvement to be competitive with alternatives.

"Pricing is a major issue with VMware ESXi as it is becoming more expensive."
"The cost of VMware ESXi is very high, especially after the acquisition by Broadcom, which led to price increases. Improving the cost structure would be beneficial."
"The cost of VMware ESXi is very high, especially after the acquisition by Broadcom, which led to price increases."

ROI

VMware ESXi allowed customers to launch applications without new hardware purchases, reducing procurement timelines. Many found it saved time compared to physical data workloads and Hyper-V, which requires manual management. Some noted inefficiencies due to rising costs, illustrating a trade-off between saved resources and increased expense. Some users sought better cost-effectiveness with different options, highlighting financial benefits through optimization. Some struggled to quantify ROI, expressing interest in consultancy or support services for evaluation.

Pricing

VMware ESXi pricing is reportedly high, especially post-Broadcom acquisition, with changes in licensing models leading to increased costs. Users note that initial costs range from $20,000 to $30,000, with ongoing expenses up to $20,000 annually. Recent adjustments have complicated the cost structure, affecting affordability for smaller entities. The shift to core-based licenses has exacerbated expense concerns, making it crucial for buyers to evaluate needs and potential additional feature costs.

"The pricing is expensive, with the cost for customers ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 yearly."
"VMware ESXi is a costly solution in Africa and other developing countries."
"Broadcom recently purchased VMware, and the pricing scheme has changed. If I need any more features in the tool, I can actually purchase them."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize VMware ESXi for server virtualization, transforming physical servers into virtual machines to consolidate IT infrastructure. The platform supports numerous applications in production, development, and data centers, offering stability and compatibility with Windows and Linux environments. It helps optimize hardware, manage virtual machines, and provide high availability, snapshots, and storage features. Companies in sectors such as insurance, medical, and banking rely on VMware ESXi for efficient IT operations.

Service and Support

VMware ESXi support is generally regarded as good with quick responses, especially when escalated to higher levels. Most users rate it highly, but some note delays, particularly after Broadcom's acquisition. Support bundled with Dell was well-received, but during the post-acquisition phase, response times were slower and SLAs affected. Users appreciate the support's ability to resolve issues efficiently when escalated, though inconsistencies in response speed are noted. Overall satisfaction varies, with ratings ranging from six to ten.

Deployment

VMware ESXi's initial setup is generally straightforward and can vary in complexity. Many find it simple, taking anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of days, depending on the infrastructure. Involvement from experienced personnel ensures comprehensive integration and security considerations. While setup is often rated highly for ease, support and documentation play crucial roles. Planning for future scalability and infrastructure needs, along with thorough testing, enhances successful deployment.

Scalability

VMware ESXi is recognized for its scalability, accommodating a range of virtual machines and users across varied infrastructures. Users appreciate the ease of adding servers, good vertical scalability, and challenges with horizontal expansion. The platform is praised by large enterprises and banks for managing extensive server counts. The rating often falls between seven and nine out of ten, depending on specific use cases and environments. Some users encounter licensing model complexities.

Stability

VMware ESXi is frequently praised for its stability, often receiving ratings between eight to ten out of ten. Users consistently note minimal issues, attributing smooth operations and reliability to the platform. Occasionally, some experience downtime, though regular maintenance helps maintain stability. Over time, stability can vary, as some reports mention decreases. Despite this, many rely on VMware ESXi for its dependable performance, with issues being rare and promptly resolved through updates.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our VMware ESXi Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

16%

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Government

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Performing Arts

Healthcare Company

Insurance Company

Media Company

Transportation Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Retailer

Legal Firm

Logistics Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Non Profit

Outsourcing Company

International Affairs Institute

University

Non Tech Company

Wellness & Fitness Company

Computer Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Marketing Services Firm

Mining And Metals Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Recruiting/Hr Firm

Leisure / Travel Company

Compare VMware ESXi with alternative products

Learn more about VMware ESXi

Organizations utilize VMware ESXi for its high availability and ability to host diverse workloads effectively. Known for stability and maturity, it efficiently handles server, networking, and storage demands, with integral features like vMotion and memory compression. ESXi integrates well with data center operations, allowing seamless resource allocation and virtual machine migration. Despite impressive capabilities, users encounter challenges with setup complexity, licensing costs, and technical support delays, leading some to explore different solutions.

What are the main features of VMware ESXi?

High Availability: Ensures continuous operation of virtual machines.
vMotion Capabilities: Facilitates easy virtual machine migration.
Clustering: Enhances resource management and efficiency.
Server Management: Offers efficient management with third-party integration.
Resource Optimization: Utilizes memory compression technologies.

What benefits and ROI do organizations see with VMware ESXi?

Cost Savings: Reduces expenses by consolidating servers.
User-friendliness: Offers a stable and manageable interface.
Multi-OS Support: Enables running Linux and Windows environments.
High Performance: Recognized for speed and efficiency.

Industries deploying VMware ESXi benefit in sectors requiring robust IT infrastructure, including finance, healthcare, and education. Its capability to support high availability and diverse workloads proves essential for critical applications, enhancing productivity and agility in dynamic environments.