FlexPod XCS vs HPE ConvergedSystem vs VxRail comparison

The compared NetApp and Hewlett Packard Enterprise solutions aren't in the same category. NetApp is ranked #5 in CI , with an average rating of 8.4, and holds a 9.4% mindshare in the category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #2 in CI , with an average rating of 8.4, and holds a 18.2% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of NetApp users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users who would recommend it.

FlexPod XCS

Read 295 FlexPod XCS reviews

533 Views
209 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

HPE ConvergedSystem

Read 21 HPE ConvergedSystem reviews

665 Views
398 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

VxRail

Read 132 VxRail reviews

17,868 Views
11,569 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

FlexPod XCS

HPE ConvergedSystem

VxRail

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between FlexPod XCS, HPE ConvergedSystem, and VxRail based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Oracle and others in Converged Infrastructure.

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Converged Infrastructure

June 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Mindshare comparison

Converged Infrastructure

HCI

Featured Reviews

John Kevin

Deputy IT Manager at MBBank

Enforces standardized setup procedures following Certified Validated Design (CVD) guidelines and offers greater flexibility and control over the system compared to traditional systems

The GUI setup follows the right setup, meaning we have to follow the CVDi.e. Certified Validated Design. Everything is clear, because you can build CI yourself, but without rules, it can be messy. With FlexPod, there are rules to follow, making it more standardized. This helps with troubleshooting and compatibility assessments, simplifying troubleshooting significantly. We also use FlexPod pre-validated architectures to validate the design. It is very, very important to us because we had a bad case in 2015 where separate items integrated poorly due to no version or firmware compatibility certification. Troubleshooting became a nightmare. So, standards are crucial for us, and everything entering production should be verified or at least documented for certification.

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Fatai Akinwande

Specialist Datacenter and Server at IHS Towers

Has the ability to easily scale resources and redistribute workloads across multiple hosts

HPE ConvergedSystem could be enhanced by improving the built-in backup solution, as the current one fell short of our needs and led us to opt for third-party tools like Veeam. Additionally, addressing challenges related to remote copy functionality, especially in low-bandwidth conditions, would significantly improve the overall usability and effectiveness of HPE solutions in our setup.

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Rami Jadallah

Data Center Solution Manager at a computer software company with 51-200 employees

Streamline management and integration with seamless upgrades

The primary reasons customers choose VxRail include ease of management, ease of upgrades, and integration with VMware. The hyper-converged infrastructure simplifies software and hardware upgrades. Customers prefer the single pane of glass management and integration with VMware, which makes it easier for them to proceed with decisions involving VMware products.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"For the management side of our UCS, it is a single pane of glass for multiple people, whether it is data center, sysadmin, or server deployment."

"It has simplified our support."

"The solution’s unified support for the entire stack is critically important because we cannot afford downtime."

"The most valuable features are that the solution is vetted and validated and it's supported end-to-end."

"Integration is most valuable. This is a reference architecture. So, we don't have to design something from scratch and figure out how it is going to work."

"The initial setup was very straightforward. They provided a lot of documentation."

"It has been very stable. There has been no downtime."

"The solution is innovative when it comes to compute storage and networking. Each environment has knowledge of another in a FlexPod environment. This would be difficult to operate separately."

More FlexPod XCS pros

"The user interface, reporting, and management are good, and we are quite happy with the performance."

"Consolidation and duplications features."

"Most of the HP products I come across are they are easy to install. That's not very complex."

"The flexibility is the most advantageous aspect of the solution. Our system has a very big environment. Due to this, the replication and backup operation is not an easy task. We prefer HPE SimpliVity modules in our environment, even when we have some different cases in operations."

"We find the deduplication and compression features to be most valuable, as well as that of the backup solution inside."

"The storage, BladeSystems, Virtual Connect, and simplicity with hyper-converged solutions are the most valuable features of this solution."

"This is a scalable solution. Our customers begin with an initial configuration and later add more servers, memory and other options to meet the demands of increased processing."

"The most valuable features of HPE ConvergedSystem are scalability and resilience."

More HPE ConvergedSystem pros

"You don't have to worry too much about the hardware and you don't have to work on integrating a storage device. We instead have this as an all-in-one solution and everything is available as a box."

"The stability continues to get better and better. It's pretty reliable."

"We are very happy with the purchase, and it works well. It is fast. We went with the full-flash version, meaning that we have SSDs. So, we can build a Windows virtual machine in two minutes. We were surprised when we first tried to do that."

"The VxRail is built on two specific platforms that have been in the industry for the last 15 to 20 years: the 1-U socket and the 2-U socket platforms from Dell. They're in their sixteenth generation of those platforms, I believe, so they're very stable."

"The assurance that my systems would not suffer a performance drop no matter where they are is valuable. I do not need any extra hardware."

"VxRail does not require fiber switches or external storage. It's easy to replace and manage. It's centralized management through VxRail Manager."

"The most compelling aspect of VxRail lies in its unwavering guarantee of sustained performance for my systems, regardless of their geographical distribution."

"The support has been excellent, especially if you compare it to IBM."

More VxRail pros

Cons

"FlexPod was born to be used like building-block elements, to create large EDP premises. If used to create a single FlexPod CED, optional operational collaterals (backup, management, etc.) are missing, both in docs and in design."

"I would like to see programmability into a SaaS-based offering, as I know Cisco's going in a lot of directions with their Intersight application."

"They need to improve the user interface to make it easier to work in this environment. The older version is poor."

"There are apparently some new products coming around the whole FlexPod side of things with regards to auditing, to ensure everything is configured correctly. It's basically a "delta" if there have been any changes. It's important to us, from a support perspective, to know if there have been changes and what impact they have actually had."

"The ability to manage the templates across sites. We would like to easily take out the configuration of one FlexPod and copy it over, just making minor changes. There is a way to do it, but it's clumsy."

"It would be great to see some form of interoperability between the FAS units and the E-Series, specifically for replication, even if it is just one more replication from a FAS to an E-Series. That would be amazing."

"We have had some problems with SnapSuite and the replication functionality."

"I think they are working on it, but I would like to be able to log into a portal and see the end-to-end solution and understand where it stands, from a supportability perspective."

More FlexPod XCS cons

"HPE ConvergedSystem needs to improve its management. I would like the tool to add cloud management features so that the system can be accessed anywhere from the cloud."

"The solution needs to add NFS features."

"Pricing is an area of concern in the solution where improvements are required."

"There is some scope for improvement in support. The response time could be better."

"The MTG inside HP could be improved."

"It could be enhanced by improving the built-in backup solution."

"Perhaps they can work on providing faster allocation of memory or storage."

"The interface is not fully integrated with the ESXi, which is something that could be improved."

More HPE ConvergedSystem cons

"In the version that I was working with, the integrations are in need of improvement."

"You cannot install another operating system such as Microsoft or Hyperflex or Nutanix. We have also had a hardware problem."

"The initial setup was not that easy, it was a medium difficulty level."

"The licensing needs to be improved upon."

"The support charges for VxRail should be optimized and made cheaper."

"Obtaining support was hindered by the frequent changes to the hotline numbers."

"VxRail should try to improve the pricing."

"It would be nice if its installation can be simplified, but it is currently not too bad. They can provide deduplication and compression in hybrid configurations. To the best of my knowledge, these features are not there, and it would be nice if these are added. Some of its competitors already have these features, so it will help VxRail to have a better feature set and compete more effectively."

More VxRail cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Make sure that you engage as much with whom you are buying from as a partnership, not just as a purchase."

"We have a lease for approximately $10,000 USD per month."

"The product's pricing is high and I would rate it a nine out of ten."

"The scalability is very good. I wish it was a more cost-effective, but you get what you pay for."

"We purchased from CDW•G. They are great partners on the government side."

"The pricing and licensing are quite expensive. However, compared to other solutions, it is okay."

"As a whole, it is inexpensive, and it uses the least amount of parts."

"It has saved us hundreds of man-hours by using this converged infrastructure."

More FlexPod XCS pricing and cost advice

"My company has a five year contract for HPE ConvergedSystem. The contracts depend on companies and sometimes it can be three years. The solution is worth its price."

"The tool's licensing costs are yearly."

"This is an expensive system and not every customer has the kind of budget to support it."

"There are some extra costs in addition to the licensing costs for the yearly maintenance from professional third-party services."

"The pricing is sensitive."

"I rate the product price an eight and a half on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."

"The pricing is competitive. Not a major problem. We have a subscription model."

"This is an expensive solution."

More HPE ConvergedSystem pricing and cost advice

"The product is expensive compared to other solutions."

"There is an advantage for those who have a good deal with Dell. Its price is good. From a company's perspective, it is always too expensive, but it is about value for money."

"At about $200,000, this solution is a little bit pricey but it is more economical than others such as Nutanix or Cisco Hyperflex."

"VxRail is quite expensive and could be cheaper. I would say that the main difference between VxRail and the competition is cost. There may be some differences in features, but I would say that it's mainly the costs."

"We pay for annual support from VxRail."

"VxRail is not cheap, but it's not expensive either."

"The cost was cheaper compared to other virtualization solutions."

"VxRail does raise the price, but overall, it's well-priced. It's not more expensive than other similar solutions. If you were to create an in-house, tailor-made solution, you could potentially do it at a lower cost. However, I think a fully integrated solution like VxRail should be priced appropriately."

More VxRail pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user244362

Managing Consultant with 51-200 employees

Aug 30, 2015

Nutanix vs. VMware EVO:RAIL vs. FlexPod

Originally posted at www.storagegaga.com/dont-get-too-drunk-on-hyper-converged/ I hate the fact that I am bursting the big bubble brewing about Hyper Convergence (HC). I urge all to look past the hot air and hype frenzy that are going on, because in the end, the HC platforms have to be aligned…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

20%

Educational Organization

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Computer Software Company

10%

Computer Software Company

16%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Real Estate/Law Firm

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about FlexPod?

The system is designed for easy scaling. Because we define everything clearly. So when we plug the system in, we appl...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for FlexPod?

The pricing is not cheaper, but stability is more important for us now. We focus on business gains, not static number...

See all answers

What needs improvement with FlexPod?

FlexPod should focus more on automation. Integrating an automation tool with FlexPod would enable customers to levera...

See all answers

What do you like most about HPE ConvergedSystem?

The most valuable features of the solution are the flexibility and the availability of the machines.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE ConvergedSystem?

I rate the product price an eight and a half on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with HPE ConvergedSystem?

Pricing is an area of concern in the solution where improvements are required.

See all answers

How does HPE Nimble Storage compare to VxRail?

HPE Nimble Storage dHCI Vs. VxRail One of the best things about the HPE Nimble Storage dHCI is the three, two, one, z...

See all answers

What Is The Biggest Difference Between vSAN And VxRail?

While both run on the vSAN technology from VMware, vSAN needs to be deployed on vSAN ready nodes while VxRail is an e...

See all answers

What are the major differences between VxRail and Dell EMC PowerFlex?

VxRail vs. Dell EMC PowerFlex VxRail provides stable solutions for technical problems while at the same time not bein...

See all answers

Comparisons

Dell PowerFlex vs FlexPod XCS

Compared 31% of the time

Oracle Private Cloud Appliance vs FlexPod XCS

Compared 14% of the time

Dell PowerEdge VRTX vs FlexPod XCS

Compared 13% of the time

HPE Hyper Converged vs FlexPod XCS

Compared 13% of the time

Dell VxBlock System vs FlexPod XCS

Compared 11% of the time

More FlexPod XCS Competitors

Dell PowerEdge VRTX vs HPE ConvergedSystem

Compared 73% of the time

Oracle Private Cloud Appliance vs HPE ConvergedSystem

Compared 19% of the time

Dell VxBlock System vs HPE ConvergedSystem

Compared 8% of the time

More HPE ConvergedSystem Competitors

Dell PowerFlex vs VxRail

Compared 29% of the time

VMware vSAN vs VxRail

Compared 23% of the time

HPE SimpliVity vs VxRail

Compared 13% of the time

Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs VxRail

Compared 7% of the time

HPE Hyper Converged vs VxRail

Compared 6% of the time

More VxRail Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

FlexPod XCS

June 2025

Download FlexPod XCS product report

Buyer's Guide

HPE ConvergedSystem

June 2025

Download HPE ConvergedSystem product report

Buyer's Guide

VxRail

May 2025

Download VxRail product report

Also Known As

No data available

HPE ConvergedSystem 700, HPE ConvergedSystem for SAP HANA, CS500, HPE ConvergedSystem 900, HPE ConvergedSystem 500, HPE ConvergedSystem 300

VCE VxRail

Overview

FlexPod XCS is the secure platform your applications need from edge to cloud. Easily manage your suite of cloud-native, edge, and enterprise apps. Integrate advanced cloud services without compromising performance, security, reliability, or scale.

NetApp

HPE ConvergedSystem is designed for on-premises and hybrid deployments, hosting VMware ESXi, supporting cloud containers, and facilitating recovery and backup, making it ideal for large-scale virtual environment replacements.

Consulting firms, government organizations, healthcare, and education departments extensively use HPE ConvergedSystem. It efficiently supports VMware virtualization, enhancing internal customer service by meeting various client requirements. Notable for its scalability, stability, and ease of deployment, HPE ConvergedSystem integrates seamlessly with HP Data Protector and numerous storage devices, ensuring high reliability. However, it requires improved management and better integration with third-party tools and cloud services.

What are the key features of HPE ConvergedSystem?

HPE Synergy: Facilitates deployments and updates.
Backup Capabilities: Ensures data security and recovery.
Reporting and Management: Enhances operational oversight.
High Availability: Offers robust performance.
Flexibility: Adapts to diverse workloads.
Deduplication and Compression: Saves storage space.
Security: Protects sensitive information.
Ease of Configuration: Simplifies setup.
BladeSystems and Virtual Connect: Enhances connectivity.
Scalability: Grows with business needs.
Stability and Resilience: Ensures continuous operations.
Energy Reduction: Promotes efficiency.

What are the benefits or ROI of HPE ConvergedSystem?

Enhanced Service Quality: Improves customer interactions.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces operational expenses.
Operational Flexibility: Adapts to varied business models.
Reliability: Minimizes downtime and data loss.
Scalability: Supports future growth without major investments.
Energy Efficiency: Lowers power consumption.

HPE ConvergedSystem sees extensive use across several industries. Government, healthcare, and education departments benefit from its reliable and scalable infrastructure. Consulting firms implement it for diverse clients, ensuring solutions tailored to specific needs. Chilean customers efficiently use it for servers and DDI with VMware for virtualization, while it also excels in replacing large-scale virtual environments, making it a versatile choice for companies and integrators alike.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

VxRail is a hyper-converged appliance based on VMware virtual SAN Software and is jointly engineered and built with VMware, for VMware, to enhance Vmware. VxRail software-defined architecture simplifies compute, storage, virtualization, and management. It will safeguard performance, reliability, and flexibility across your organization with a broad range of workloads and applications from business-critical to next-gen. With VxRail, you are covered.

VxRail is a single turn-key appliance that is a validated, fully integrated, pre-configured, pre-tested solution and offers non-disruptive scaling. Every node includes compute storage and IO. All-flash configurations can contain between 12-28 cores per node. The storage capacity options run from 7.6 TB to 19TB with either 256 GB or 512GB of memory. Hybrid appliances may have 6-20 cores per node, 3.6 TB to 10 TB of storage capacity, and 24GB to 256 GB of memory.

VxRail offers high availability fail-over, an active/active stretch cluster, and VSan Kernal integration. VxRail is a power-edged server with APIs built on automation. There are over 15 million different combinations of hardware available with VxRail. VxRail provides a simple, cost-effective solution that solves a large range of use cases. Additionally, you also get a mixed workloads automated system that is backed with fully automated system updates, and complete end-to-end lifecycle management all in a single two-rack appliance.

VxRail is a value-added suitable solution for distributed small to mid-sized enterprises, remote offices, private clouds, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). You choose the deployment option that best suits your organizational needs, from appliance to integrated rack offerings, with or without networking, and it will be delivered to you, ready to deploy out-of-box.

If you know VMware, you know VxRail.

VxRail Features and Benefits

Seamlessly accelerate deployment to a hybrid cloud
Fast data center modernization
Create developer-ready Kubernetes platforms

Powerful performance and reliability
Improve and simplify operational efficiency
Excellent integration
Save time
Reduce costs

Reviews from Real Users

VxRail is an all-in-one solution: "You don't have to worry too much about the hardware and you don't have to work on integrating a storage device. We instead have this as an all-in-one solution and everything is available as a box."

VxRail is remarkable: “The cover points feature in VxRail is remarkable. It's unique. It has an intervention failover system as well as an automatic failover system, reaching clusters existing in VxRail…”

VxRail is a powerful performer: “...VxRail delivers a very high number of IOPS for a hybrid configuration or an all-flash configuration. The processors that are available in the Xeon family are very powerful. They are multi-core with typically 2 gigahertz, 2.4 gigahertz, or higher frequency, so the performance is very much appreciated.”

Dell Technologies

Sample Customers

University of Sao Paulo, WD-40, The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group

FAW-Volkswagen, NICS, NBrIX, Pinpoint, HPE Technology Services, SWS, Ko Sistem, HPE

World Wide Technology Inc, Renault Sport Formula One Team, 8x8 Inc, Brownes, Canadian Pacific, Canopy, Denton, EDF, Unilin, Xerox

Buyer's Guide

Converged Infrastructure

June 2025

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