VMware vCenter Reviews

Name: VMware vCenter
Brand: VMware
Rating: 4.3 (36 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

36 reviews
96% willing to recommend

What is VMware vCenter?

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VMware vCenter is the #3 ranked solution in top Server Monitoring solutions. PeerSpot users give VMware vCenter an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. VMware vCenter is most commonly compared to Zabbix: VMware vCenter vs Zabbix. VMware vCenter is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 44% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Helped 864,053 peers since 2012

Featured VMware vCenter reviews

Muhammad Fahad

Manager Tech. & Support (Information Technology) at Texitech

I am using vMotion for live migration and storage migrations. I can use vCenter for both now. In vCenter, I can easily manage storage and move it from one server to another, which is beneficial for the environment. If any server is down, I can utilize the storage for different servers. I can easily manage from anywhere. Deployments are simple, and optimization can improve security management. Troubleshooting is easy, and it is possible to detect noncompliance configurations, minimizing costs. The deployment does not require high-cost human resources. I use a single dual machine for multiple VMs. This offers many benefits compared to physical servers or machines.

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Mir Gulzar Ahmed

IT Manager at Synergy Computers

I primarily use VMware vCenter for data center virtualization. It is a professional product under the data center virtualization umbrella. VMware vCenter manages and monitors multiple hypervisors like VMware ESXi, particularly in larger environments such as telcos, universities, or big…

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Mangesh Parjane

Technical Manager at Owens & Minor, Inc.

The primary use case is for virtual machine (VM) deployment, configuration of Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), prioritizing products on VMs, and using add-on devices such as hardware, network, and graphics cards. It's mainly used for high-priority tasks and performance management within VMware…

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VMware vCenter mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of VMware vCenter in the Server Monitoring category stands at 0.9%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Server Monitoring

PeerResearch reports based on VMware vCenter reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Server Monitoring	Aug 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Aug 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware vCenter vs Zabbix	Aug 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware vCenter vs ServiceNow Discovery	Aug 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware vCenter vs Oracle Enterprise Manager	Aug 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Zabbix	4.2	27.4%	95%	106 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Configuration Manager	4.1	5.2%	90%	82 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

VMware vCenter offers centralized management across ESXi hosts, high availability, ease of virtualization, and efficient resource scaling. Its user-friendly interface simplifies VM creation and real-time migration. Monitoring capabilities optimize operations and enhance server control. Integration with tools like DRS, vSphere, NSX T, and vSAN supports automation and scalability. Cloning, snapshots, alerting, and Active Directory integration further streamline infrastructure management. Users benefit from cost-effective deployment and resource efficiency.

"VMware vCenter is the best from a management perspective, scoring ten on a scale of one to ten."
"In vCenter, I can easily manage storage and move it from one server to another, which is beneficial for the environment."
"I am using vMotion for live migration and storage migrations. I can use vCenter for both now."

Room for Improvement

VMware vCenter's main issues include high pricing and a complex licensing model, exacerbated by Broadcom's acquisition. Users find its interface challenging and fault tolerance features complex, highlighting bugs and operational difficulties. The lack of unified management for security, plugins, and automation limits functionality. Users also mention difficulties in transitioning between versions and inadequate support, raising concerns about password recovery, storage management, and hybrid cloud integration. Management and scalability require possible enhancements.

"The main issue with VMware vCenter is its pricing and licensing model. The licensing model has shifted, leading to higher costs, particularly for smaller organizations."
"The stability could be better."
"Efficiency and redundancy can be increased, minimizing or mitigating downtime."

ROI

VMware vCenter offers significant ROI for companies, optimizing cost-effectiveness with long-term benefits and flexibility. It reduces labor costs by streamlining management, decreases hardware investment, and lowers electricity expenses, especially in larger deployments. By consolidating hosts, it cuts node expenses and enhances operational efficiency. Users report over a decade of minimized issues, bolstering ROI through improved management and data recovery capabilities, enabling a scalable, secure, and compliant infrastructure that supports remote work.

Pricing

VMware vCenter pricing is generally considered high, with several users noting the transition to a subscription model under Broadcom may increase costs. Licensing complexity is mentioned, including per-core and bundled support options. Though some find the product affordable, others highlight hidden expenses for advanced features. Licensing changes have created challenges, and while the solution may be cost-effective for larger enterprises, smaller businesses may find initial setup costs prohibitive. Overall, pricing ratings vary significantly among users.

"VMware vCenter is not expensive."
"We have purchased monthly licenses for the platform. There are additional costs involved."
"On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten."

Popular Use Cases

VMware vCenter's primary use case involves centralized management and administration of virtual environments, focusing on virtual machine deployment, monitoring, and resource allocation. It supports critical tasks in data centers, cloud services, and IT environments, aiding in infrastructure services, performance management, and virtualization of computing resources. Organizations use it for backup, recovery, and improving service delivery, alongside coordinating components like ESXi, vRealize Automation, and NSX for enhanced virtualization capabilities and efficient resource management.

Service and Support

VMware vCenter support has experienced a decline in responsiveness and effectiveness over the past few years. Users report slower response times and repetitive escalation processes. While some still receive prompt, knowledgeable help, others find support challenges, especially for critical issues. Some users praise proactive handling and valuable resources, rating their experiences highly. However, there are mentions of delayed responses without premium licenses and difficulties during complex situations, leading to mixed sentiments regarding the current support quality.

Deployment

VMware vCenter's initial setup is generally straightforward, supported by easy-to-follow instructions. The process has simplified over time, now often completed with ease, typically taking less than an hour for deployment. Users highlight the importance of having the right skills, noting complexities in advanced installations and integrations. The setup benefits from existing templates, requires minimal personnel, and is well supported by VMware, ensuring a smooth integration with virtual environments.

Scalability

VMware vCenter is praised for impressive scalability, suitable for businesses of all sizes. Multiple users highlight its capacity to manage extensive setups, with many rating its scalability highly. It facilitates effortless expansion by adding hardware or deploying additional vCenters. Although some note Nutanix as more scalable, many appreciate the ability to manage numerous nodes and hosts efficiently. Automation improvements could enhance its scalability, but it remains one of the top choices for enterprise environments.

Stability

VMware vCenter is stable, with users rating its stability mostly between eight to ten out of ten. It provides centralized administration, and its unavailability has minimal impact on cloud infrastructure. Issues are typically addressed by technical support. Its reliability ensures continued VM operation during host failures. High availability and performance monitoring options are appreciated. Although there are occasional concerns like log file generation, slip in compatibility, and vendor patching, vCenter remains a trusted platform.

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

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

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Manufacturing Company

13%

Government

Performing Arts

Financial Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

University

Healthcare Company

Legal Firm

Sports Company

Museum Or Institution

Logistics Company

Local Government

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Renewables & Environment Company

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

Transportation Company

Media Company

Compare VMware vCenter with alternative products

Learn more about VMware vCenter

VMware vCenter is essential for managing virtual machines, deploying systems for customers, and centralizing ESXi servers' management. It aids in monitoring hosts, handling backups, recovering data, and virtualizing compute resources.

Organizations leverage VMware vCenter to oversee virtual infrastructure, automate administrative tasks, and provide self-service portals. It simplifies the management of IT environments by offering features like host profiles, high availability, and cluster configuration. Other notable features include scalability, resource management, performance monitoring, cloning, snapshots, DRS, LACP, and lifecycle management. VMware vCenter ensures continuous system availability, benefiting sectors like healthcare through efficient server management and process automation. The platform's alerting mechanisms, backup and restore functionalities, and elastic resource allocation enhance operational efficiency.

What are the key features of VMware vCenter?

Host Profiles: Simplifies and standardizes host configurations.
High Availability: Ensures system uptime and reliability.
Centralized Management: Allows comprehensive control over multiple ESXi servers.
Scalability: Adapts to growing infrastructure needs.
Performance Monitoring: Assesses and optimizes virtual machine performance.
Cloning & Snapshots: Facilitates quick deployment and recovery.
DRS: Distributes resources efficiently across the cluster.
LACP: Enhances network performance and reliability.
Lifecycle Management: Manages software updates and hardware lifecycles effectively.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Operational Efficiency: Automates routine tasks and improves resource management.
System Availability: Minimizes downtime and ensures continuous operations.
Cost Management: Optimizes resource usage and reduces operational costs.
Scalability: Grows with the company's infrastructure needs.
Enhanced Performance: Monitors and optimizes virtual machine performance.

Healthcare organizations use VMware vCenter to ensure uninterrupted access to critical applications and patient data. It helps manage large volumes of virtual servers, providing necessary performance and reliability. This platform's automation and monitoring capabilities are crucial for maintaining efficient IT operations and supporting healthcare needs.

VMware vCenter customers

1. Amazon 2. Apple 3. ATT 4. Bank of America 5. Cisco Systems 6. CocaCola 7. Dell 8. ebay 9. Facebook 10. Google 11. HP 12. IBM 13. Intel 14. JPMorgan Chase 15. LinkedIn 16. Microsoft 17. Netflix 18. Oracle 19. PayPal 20. SAP 21. Siemens 22. Tesla 23. Toyota 24. Twitter 25. Visa 26. Walmart 27. WeWork 28. World Bank