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IBM PowerVM vs VMware vSphere Foundation comparison

IBM and VMware are both solutions in the Server Virtualization Software category. IBM is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5, while VMware is ranked #13 with an average rating of 8.0. Additionally, 96% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 75% of VMware users who would recommend it.
IBM PowerVM
Read 36 IBM PowerVM reviews
  • 1,834 Views
  • 1,548 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
VMware vSphere Foundation
Read 10 VMware vSphere Foundation reviews
  • 114 Views
  • 60 Comparison Views
75% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 6, 2024

IBM PowerVM and VMware vSphere Foundation compete in virtualization solutions for enterprise environments, with VMware vSphere Foundation having an edge in a broader feature set, potentially offering more versatility across platforms.

Features: IBM PowerVM integrates seamlessly with IBM hardware, ensuring stability and high performance, while VMware vSphere Foundation offers cross-platform capabilities, advanced virtualization features, and scalability, showcasing versatility and feature breadth suitable for diverse enterprise needs.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: VMware vSphere Foundation allows for quick deployment across various platforms and extensive support resources, accommodating different organizational setups with ease. IBM PowerVM, although more complex to deploy with a focus on IBM Power Systems, benefits from specialized support, catering specifically to these environments.

Pricing and ROI: IBM PowerVM typically involves lower setup costs, delivering good ROI for companies invested in IBM systems. VMware vSphere Foundation may involve higher initial expenses but offers strong ROI with its comprehensive feature suite and adaptable deployment options, focusing on long-term value for diverse infrastructure.

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To learn more, read our detailed IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere Foundation Report (Updated: April 2025).
Buyer's Guide
IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere Foundation
April 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
7.7
IBM PowerVM offers higher ROI and cost savings, especially for Oracle users, with scalability, easy administration, and enhanced efficiency.
Sentiment score
7.3
VMware vSphere Foundation enhances server consolidation, recoverability, and scalability, offering significant returns on investment without increasing personnel.
The return on investment is substantial, though other platforms may offer a better ROI, primarily due to lower costs involved in setup and maintenance.
If calculated over a five-year period, IBM PowerVM is 30 to 40% more cost-effective than physical servers despite initial costs seeming high.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
In an environment where the infrastructure has to be up for monitoring and controlling physical infrastructure like water plants, it has absolutely returned on its investment.
Server consolidation is one return on investment where we can use one server for multiple workloads.
While the return on investment is not clearly defined, the manageability of multiple servers without needing additional personnel or specialists is beneficial.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere Foundation report
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MR
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reviewer2592888 - PeerSpot reviewerAshutoshKumar4 - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.5
IBM PowerVM is praised for strong support, though TSM support and hardware support subscription issues need improvement.
Sentiment score
6.6
VMware vSphere Foundation's customer service saw a ratings drop post-acquisition, cited for slower response times despite stable performance.
IBM provides strong support.
IBM offers excellent customer support.
IBM has an established technical support team and partners who provide extended support to end customers.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
There is nonstop support available around the world, which allows issues to be resolved continuously without interruption, regardless of whether the problem occurs in the USA, India, or another location.
Now, with Broadcom's management, I would rate it a three out of ten.
Most of the time, VMware operates smoothly without requiring support.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere Foundation report
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reviewer2592888 - PeerSpot reviewer
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Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.1
IBM PowerVM excels in scalability and flexibility, supporting large enterprises with superior performance and integration capabilities despite pricing concerns.
Sentiment score
8.8
VMware vSphere Foundation is praised for its seamless scalability, efficient integration, and ability to handle multiple workloads.
An IBM server can handle up to sixty-four terabytes of RAM.
I think IBM PowerVM uses a 'pay as you grow' model, allowing customers to scale their resources as needed.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
The return on investment is high because we can maximize the use of one server for multiple workloads.
It's straightforward to procure additional licenses, install them on the host and add them to the same cluster.
You can simply add more hosts to your VMware stack seamlessly, scaling up vertically or horizontally.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere Foundation report
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reviewer2592888 - PeerSpot reviewer
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Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.5
IBM PowerVM offers superior stability and security with excellent uptime, efficiency, and resilience, outperforming alternatives like Nutanix and VMware.
Sentiment score
8.5
VMware vSphere Foundation is praised for stability and low management needs, though it requires regular updates for security.
The stability of IBM PowerVM is exceptional, as industry reports have named IBM Power and Z as the most stable platforms globally for 15 consecutive years.
Our clients in India using Power Servers have been running their servers for the last four to five years without any reboot.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
Stability is optimal.
Frequent updates are required due to constant security challenges and attacks.
It is a standard tool and is considered very stable.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere Foundation report
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reviewer2592888 - PeerSpot reviewerTonatiuh Torres Zamorano - PeerSpot reviewerAshutoshKumar4 - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Room For Improvement

IBM PowerVM users seek better management, interface, performance, and cost-effectiveness, with enhanced automation, virtualization, and cloud integration features.
Post-Broadcom, VMware vSphere Foundation struggles with pricing, language, and licensing issues, causing delays and customer dissatisfaction.
We have a strong relationship with IBM, which aids decision-making in transitioning clients from mainframe to other platforms.
PowerVM should integrate some capabilities of VMware vCenter to improve its management features.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
I highly recommend that continuous support for perpetual licenses be provided.
VMware needs to improve cost efficiency, especially in Pakistan, as customers often seek more affordable solutions.
Recently, VMware shifted its licensing models, and they should streamline it.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere Foundation report
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ErmiasGirma - PeerSpot reviewer
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Setup Cost

IBM PowerVM offers flexible payment options, though initial high costs require negotiation but may yield long-term savings.
VMware vSphere Foundation faces high costs and complexity, driving users towards cheaper cloud options and open-source alternatives.
Pricing is a concern in Argentina due to the higher cost of mainframe solutions.
PowerVM itself is free with the purchase of an IBM server.
While initially costly, the ROI over five years proves IBM PowerVM is cost-effective, resulting in a 30 to 40% reduction in costs compared to a physical setup.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
It's expensive, however, the stability it offers is optimal.
In Brazil, we are increasingly using open-source alternatives like Proxmox due to their lower prices in comparison.
During one project, the price doubled or even tripled before implementation, causing issues with clients.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere Foundation report
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reviewer2592888 - PeerSpot reviewer
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ErmiasGirma - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Valuable Features

IBM PowerVM provides flexible resource management, high availability, and smooth cloud transitions, supporting various operating systems and complex workloads.
VMware vSphere Foundation offers scalable virtualization, efficient infrastructure management, and user-friendly tools, enhancing server utilization and cost-effectiveness.
PowerVM excels in efficiently managing all systems and environments, including development, UI, and production.
It supports specific workloads, like Oracle and SAP HANA, much better due to its shared processor pool feature which reduces licensing costs.
IBM PowerVM supports multiple operating systems such as IBM i, AIX, and Linux, allowing users to run various applications seamlessly in a cloud environment.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
vSphere Foundation is valuable due to its scalability, reliability, and ease of management.
VMware provides the tools needed to move environments between private and public clouds seamlessly.
The virtual stack of vCenter, its distributed resources system, high availability engines, and the ability to move VM workloads from one host to another are outstanding.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere Foundation report
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Categories and Ranking

IBM PowerVM
Ranking in Server Virtualization Software
10th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
36
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
VMware vSphere Foundation
Ranking in Server Virtualization Software
13th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
10
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Featured Reviews

Atif Najam - PeerSpot reviewer
A stable system for high-end data processing with a great support structure
The only problem with the IBM system is improving its hardware licensing model. For example, when you procure a server with 40 physical codes, you must also procure licenses to activate the codes. In Dell or any system, you procure the hardware and have the full right to use the hardware. For IBM, it's different because when you procure a 40-code processor and have 40 physical codes, you only have a license to use 20. As a result, the 20 alert codes will always be in activated mode. Hence, the hardware licensing model could be improved because the licensing model is a bit different from the standard hardware procured.
Read full review
ErmiasGirma - PeerSpot reviewer
Virtualization enhances management and utilization in enterprise environments
In the past, we faced challenges with VMware's transition to Broadcom, which caused a lot of frustration. Issues like not being able to upgrade to version eight without support and the end-of-life of perpetual licenses were concerning. Pricing fluctuation and increased licensing costs were also significant challenges. I highly recommend that continuous support for perpetual licenses be provided.
Read full review
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
20%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Government
6%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM PowerVM?
Managing other operating systems is also straightforward with IBM PowerVM.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM PowerVM?
While initially costly, the ROI over five years proves IBM PowerVM is cost-effective, resulting in a 30 to 40% reduction in costs compared to a physical setup.
See all answers
What needs improvement with IBM PowerVM?
I have not encountered any issues or dissatisfaction with IBM PowerVM so far. Clients using it have been satisfied, and there have been no glitches since its introduction.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware vSphere Foundation?
There's definitely room for improvement on the pricing of VMware vSphere Foundation. Recently, the cost has increased for various organizations, depending on their licensing post-Broadcom acquisition.
See all answers
What needs improvement with VMware vSphere Foundation?
I can't really say because I don't have much experience with other platforms in the commercial space. Recently, the pricing has gone up a lot for different organizations depending on what licensing...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for VMware vSphere Foundation?
We are hosting our internal infrastructure with VMware vSphere Foundation ( /products/vmware-vsphere-foundation-reviews ).
See all answers
 

Comparisons

VMware vSphere vs IBM PowerVM Logo
VMware vSphere vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 63% of the time
KVM vs IBM PowerVM Logo
KVM vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 11% of the time
Hyper-V vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Hyper-V vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 9% of the time
Proxmox VE vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Proxmox VE vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 9% of the time
Nutanix AHV Virtualization vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Nutanix AHV Virtualization vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 3% of the time
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Red Hat OpenShift vs VMware vSphere Foundation Logo
Red Hat OpenShift vs VMware vSphere Foundation
Compared 100% of the time
More VMware vSphere Foundation Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
IBM PowerVM
April 2025
IBM PowerVM reportDownload IBM PowerVM product report
Buyer's Guide
VMware vSphere Foundation
April 2025
VMware vSphere Foundation reportDownload VMware vSphere Foundation product report
 

Also Known As

PowerVM
No data available
 

Overview

Power is server virtualization without limits. Businesses are turning to PowerVM server virtualization to consolidate multiple workloads onto fewer systems, increasing server utilization and reducing cost. PowerVM provides a secure and scalable server virtualization environment for AIX, IBM i and Linux applications built upon the advanced RAS features and leading performance of the Power Systems platform.
IBM

VMware vSphere Foundation is designed for businesses seeking virtualization management capabilities. It offers essential features to optimize IT operations and improve server utilization, providing a solid infrastructure for managing virtual environments.

VMware vSphere Foundation supports efficient resource management in virtual environments, delivering a robust platform for businesses to streamline their IT processes. It enhances system reliability and offers scalable options for growing business needs. By leveraging virtualization, it reduces hardware dependency while ensuring consistent system performance.

What are the key features of VMware vSphere Foundation?
  • VMware vCenter Server: Centralized platform for managing VMs and hosts.
  • High Availability: Ensures minimal downtime for critical applications.
  • Data Recovery: Provides backup and restore options for enhanced data protection.
  • Resource Manager: Allocates resources efficiently between VMs to maximize performance.
What benefits or ROI should users consider?
  • Cost Reduction: Decreases hardware expenses by maximizing server usage.
  • Improved Scalability: Facilitates easy expansion of IT infrastructure.
  • Enhanced Reliability: Offers consistent uptime and minimized outages.
  • Efficiency Gains: Streamlines operations, reducing manual IT management tasks.

VMware vSphere Foundation is implemented effectively across industries like healthcare, finance, and retail. It supports crucial workloads, allowing these sectors to maintain operational efficiency while handling sensitive data. Its flexibility and robust capabilities make it suitable for diverse operational demands.

VMware
 

Sample Customers

Sto, Soitec, SNO, Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH, Al Mansour Holding, Baptist Health of Northeast Florida, Huhtamaki, ELK Group, IT-Informatik, Arkansas Tech University, Pneuhage
Information Not Available
Buyer's Guide
IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere Foundation
April 2025
Free Report: IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere Foundation
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