Citrix XenServer Reviews

Name: Citrix XenServer
Brand: Citrix
Rating: 4.1 (52 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

52 reviews
81% willing to recommend

What is Citrix XenServer?

Citrix XenServer provides virtualization with high availability and robust security, offering seamless VM migration and centralized management through XenCenter. Its expansive compatibility and integration enhance its appeal, particularly for SMBs.

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Citrix XenServer is the #11 ranked solution in best Server Virtualization Software. PeerSpot users give Citrix XenServer an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Citrix XenServer is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: Citrix XenServer vs Proxmox VE. Citrix XenServer is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 48% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 16% of all views.

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Featured Citrix XenServer reviews

VivekKumar10

Co-Founder at Virajo

In the past, we utilized the live migration feature in Citrix XenServer, but not in this project. This is a new, fresh deployment, so there is no live migration. The support of heterogeneous resource pool in Citrix XenServer depends on the deployment and customer requirements. If a customer requires heterogeneous deployment, we accommodate that. Generally, Citrix XenServer goes in straightforward vanilla deployment because it is majorly used for Citrix farms. Very few customers use it for other products or applications. Intelligent performance optimization is available in this product, but very few customers use it, and those who do aren't using it extensively. I cannot comment extensively on this feature at present.

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Tonatiuh Torres Zamorano

Solutions Manager at ICSI

I find Citrix XenServer valuable for small to medium-sized businesses. It is user-friendly and easy to deploy, making it an attractive option. When included with Citrix virtualization solutions, it provides a comprehensive package with existing licenses. Despite being effective for small to medium infrastructures, it may not be the best hypervisor for larger deployments.

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Filip Fronczak

Virtualization Architect & Managing Owner at AnyThin', Jerzy Fronczak

The typical use case for Citrix XenServer in my organization is to provide secure access to applications and resources. We use it primarily for offering affordable server virtualization I find Citrix XenServer valuable for its affordable server virtualization capabilities. It provides secure…

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Citrix XenServer mindshare

As of July 2025, the mindshare of Citrix XenServer in the Server Virtualization Software category stands at 4.9%, up from 4.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Server Virtualization Software

PeerResearch reports based on Citrix XenServer reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Server Virtualization Software	Jul 13, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jul 13, 2025	Download
Comparison	Citrix XenServer vs Proxmox VE	Jul 13, 2025	Download
Comparison	Citrix XenServer vs VMware vSphere	Jul 13, 2025	Download
Comparison	Citrix XenServer vs Hyper-V	Jul 13, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Proxmox VE	4.3	17.5%	98%	62 interviews Add to research
VMware vSphere	4.4	16.1%	94%	456 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Citrix XenServer's most valued features include cost-efficiency, ease of use, and performance. Its compatibility with Windows and Linux, free virtualization suite, and migration capabilities such as XenMotion stand out. Users appreciate its simple installation, high availability, robust management, security, and compatibility with various systems. Many benefit from the VM live migration, backup, recovery, and effective resource management provided by XenCenter, making it a reliable choice for virtualization tasks.

"Licensing with Citrix XenServer is very cost-effective, and organizations save substantial money because competing solutions, such as VMware, cost double or triple."
"The most valuable feature is transferring and sharing applications that allow users to move files between devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers without needing USB cables, internet connections, or data usage."
"Citrix XenServer is suitable when working with VDI solutions. It provides essential capabilities and stability, which are crucial."

Room for Improvement

Citrix XenServer requires enhancements in network management, Linux guest support, and integration with third-party applications. Users suggest improving the management interface, backup options, and licensing costs. The platform's administrative tools need to be more versatile and user-friendly, along with better compatibility for diverse hardware environments. Enhanced backup capabilities and support for more virtualization technologies would address existing constraints. There's also a need for more efficient data management and storage recovery solutions.

"There appear to be very few engineers at Citrix who understand the problems, and we experience considerable delays in support."
"While Citrix Hypervisor remains a reliable virtualization platform, several areas could be improved to better meet enterprise needs."
"I did not favor Citrix XenServer in the past due to numerous issues and complications that made it a nightmare to use."

ROI

Management appreciates the ROI from Citrix XenServer. Users find satisfaction, aiding in return on investment. The platform virtualizes environments, saving on hardware and energy costs. While not the cheapest, its value is significant with features like server consolidation, resource utilization, and simplified management. Licensing and ongoing costs must be weighed against traditional desktops. Stability and reliability are evident since clients maintain Citrix infrastructure without switching.

Pricing

Citrix XenServer offers a cost-effective pricing model, appealing to enterprise buyers due to its free version and reasonable licensing fees. While the free edition suffices for many, the paid version with support costs around $6,000 annually. Users praise the technical support, emphasizing its swift response and effectiveness. Pricing is considered cheaper compared to competitors like VMware, though some find it expensive and complex. It includes necessary products for diverse deployment, making it a budget-friendly option for organizations.

"Citrix Hypervisor can be fairly expensive."
"Citrix Hypervisor is expensive."
"We used it only for some desktop licenses, so the pricing is great. We used the free licenses for server virtualization."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Citrix XenServer for server virtualization, deploying virtual machines, and providing secure access to applications. They implement it for cloud automation, core banking, infrastructure management, VDI scenarios, and desktop solutions. Citrix XenServer supports major operating systems, with strong reliability and high affordability, allowing businesses to manage virtual environments efficiently and cost-effectively. Companies seek its robust capabilities for cost reduction, virtualization, and centralized application delivery in various data center environments.

Service and Support

Citrix XenServer's support is mixed; several users find it knowledgeable and effective, especially with responsive engineers who resolve issues promptly. Others find support slow, difficult to reach, or dependent on community or resellers. Some note delays in response times or inadequate mid-size business support, with performance issues and a lack of skilled personnel. Premium options offer better availability and specialized assistance, but many report frustration with standard levels, especially for older versions.

Deployment

Citrix XenServer's initial setup is generally simple and quick. Most users find it straightforward, often taking just a few hours. Some mention the need for proper hardware compatibility and planning for aspects like shared storage. Users appreciate the setup's ease and flexibility, allowing transitions from local to network storage without downtime. Experienced users may navigate any complexities smoothly, particularly with a Linux background, while consultants are occasionally engaged for niche cases.

Scalability

Citrix XenServer is highly scalable, with many users reporting no issues scaling from small to large deployments. Its scalability supports needs well across various organization sizes, with users highlighting ease of expansion in terms of servers and users. Some express satisfaction with the integration capabilities, although improvements in technical advancement are desired. Many find that it suits both mid-range and enterprise-level needs, effectively handling hardware and user growth without significant problems.

Stability

Users describe Citrix XenServer as generally stable, noting it's reliable with minimal bugs. Some encounter minor issues like orphaned images, but these are not widespread. Regular updates enhance stability. Users appreciate the interface for notifying updates and find the health assessment challenging at times due to errors. While older Intel chipsets have caused instability, overall, XenServer shows strong stability, especially in environments with experienced teams managing it.

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

Download our Citrix XenServer Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

16%

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Government

University

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

Non Profit

Media Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Insurance Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Performing Arts

Outsourcing Company

Hospitality Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Legal Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Transportation Company

Logistics Company

Consumer Goods Company

Compare Citrix XenServer with alternative products

Learn more about Citrix XenServer

Citrix XenServer is recognized for its user-friendly virtualization capabilities, facilitating dynamic scalability and efficient resource management. It supports a wide range of operating systems and integrates with Citrix solutions for improved operations. Businesses benefit from its affordability and ease of deployment. Despite its strengths, users seek improvements in third-party tool integration, network and backup management, and storage flexibility. High costs, limited Linux support, system complexity, technical support, and hardware compatibility remain challenges. An updated and intuitive interface is in demand for more seamless operations across platforms.

What are the key features of Citrix XenServer?

User-Friendly Virtualization: Simplifies virtualization operations with efficient management tools.
High Availability: Ensures continuous access to virtualized resources.
Robust Security: Protects virtual environments with comprehensive security protocols.
Seamless VM Migration: Facilitates easy migration of virtual machines across environments.
Centralized Management: XenCenter provides centralized control for resource management.
Dynamic Scalability: Supports scaling of resources as per business requirements.
Real-Time Performance Monitoring: Enables monitoring and optimizing of system performance actively.
Unlimited Virtual Machines: Offers the capacity for deploying numerous virtual machines without limitations.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Cost Efficiency: Competitive pricing model reduces virtualization costs.
Comprehensive Virtualization: Complete solution for desktop and server virtualization needs.
Ease of Deployment: Quick and straightforward setup process minimizes downtime.
Integration with Citrix Solutions: Enhances functionality with existing Citrix technologies.

In diverse industries, Citrix XenServer is leveraged for server and desktop virtualization, cloud automation, and infrastructure management. Many deploy it for virtual desktop infrastructure, application delivery, on-premises data centers, and to support Citrix application delivery like XenApp and XenDesktop. Enterprises migrating from VMware often find Citrix XenServer cost-efficient for these applications, serving as a main computing platform for enterprise applications including ERP systems and SQL Servers.

Citrix XenServer was previously known as Hypervisor.