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Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs vCenter Orchestrator comparison

Microsoft and VMware are both solutions in the Process Automation category. Microsoft is ranked #19 with an average rating of 9.0, while VMware is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.1. Microsoft holds a 0.9% mindshare in PA, compared to VMware’s 0.3% mindshare. Additionally, 33% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of VMware users who would recommend it.
Microsoft System Center Orc...
Read 2 Microsoft System Center Orchestrator reviews
  • 1,043 Views
  • 222 Comparison Views
33% willing to recommend
vCenter Orchestrator
Read 50 vCenter Orchestrator reviews
  • 162 Views
  • 83 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

vCenter Orchestrator and Microsoft System Center Orchestrator are automation management products for virtual environments. System Center Orchestrator appears to have an advantage due to its comprehensive feature set and integration capabilities.

Features: vCenter Orchestrator integrates smoothly with VMware, enhancing workflow automation and resource management. Its simplicity makes it a strong choice for users seeking efficient VMware automation. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator offers integration across multiple systems, facilitating diverse automation tasks and operational agility, with its variety in integration showcasing adaptability.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: vCenter Orchestrator provides a streamlined deployment process for VMware users, supported by a robust service network. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator also features easy deployment, particularly in Microsoft environments, benefiting from comprehensive documentation and customer support. It shows flexibility in deployment options, supporting extensive implementation assistance.

Pricing and ROI: vCenter Orchestrator has a straightforward pricing structure with competitive setup costs, positively affecting ROI for VMware users. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator may entail higher initial costs but its extensive functionality and integration offer long-term value, reflecting a favorable ROI through versatile automation capabilities. The decision may depend on budget constraints versus future-proof automation investments.

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To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator Report (Updated: June 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator
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:
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft System Center Orc...
Ranking in Process Automation
19th
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.1
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
vCenter Orchestrator
Ranking in Process Automation
6th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
50
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Process Automation category, the mindshare of Microsoft System Center Orchestrator is 0.9%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of vCenter Orchestrator is 0.3%, down from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Process Automation
 

Featured Reviews

Dan Campeanu - PeerSpot reviewer
Automates tasks and manages multiple servers from a central location
The initial setup was quite complex. It required careful preparation of installation steps, as many tasks were not automated as expected. Special attention was needed to prepare groups, users, and permissions at each step to ensure a smooth setup process. Please do so accurately to avoid having to start over. Challenges encountered during deployment included issues with installation and configuration and difficulties detecting machines and executing tasks as expected. Some solutions were found through trial and error during installation, while others were discovered through recommendations from other users. Despite these challenges, the deployment and rollout of Orchestrator took approximately one and a half months to ensure proper functionality.
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Gerhard Gmelch - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhance automation efficiency with cost-effective graphical workflow design
I use vCenter Orchestrator for automation purposes, specifically to run automation workbooks The most valuable features are the graphical UI for designing the workflows and the interfaces that come out of the box. Additionally, it is included in the VMware Vitalization Stack, which means there…
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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

"It can manage multiple servers and workstations from a single location."
"Automation is the most valuable feature of the solution."
"Communication with technical support is very good. It has a repository of knowledge base articles which we can access which are very helpful."
"I find that managing all my vCenters from one console is the most valuable feature."
"Because of the central management, the scripting engine and workflow engine are integrated with VMware without any burden to integrate different products."
"We can scale the solution."
"vCenter Orchestrator is easy to use."
"The most valuable feature is that this solution is complete, and you don't need any add-ons."
"The most valuable feature is affinity rules."
"The solution is pretty stable and reliable."
More vCenter Orchestrator pros
 

Cons

"The product's management aspect needs enhancement."
"I find the Orchestrator UI to be problematic."
"The licensing is expensive and should be improved."
"The GUI should be enhanced in the future."
"The response time of vCenter Orchestrator's support could be improved."
"A feature to review and setup tasks should be added."
"The snapshot technology of VMware is not good compared to other solutions in the market, like Nutanix."
"I would like to see, from within the Web Console, being able to define the project and custom templates per user; almost like how CloudSpec has approached the solution."
"The product lacks GUIs. The tool should have more GUIs available, along with easier product documentation."
"I would like to see a greater ability to do mobile administration."
More vCenter Orchestrator cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I give the cost of the solution a five out of ten."
"We obtained a license that bundled Windows Server with System Center at no additional cost."
"My organization didn't have to pay extra for vCenter Orchestrator. It was already included, so it's basically free. Even VMware regular support is included."
"We pay a yearly fee, based on our entries."
"My company needs to make yearly payments towards the licensing costs attached to the product."
"Our licensing is on a yearly basis. We pay for the license and then we pay the support every year."
"The product is expensive."
"We provide the VMware solution to our clients, for which they pay a perpetual license."
"The licensing cost is manageable because they have different versions available, standard, essential, and advanced."
"We renew the solution's license every one or two years."
More vCenter Orchestrator pricing and cost advice
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860,632 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
14%
Government
11%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Computer Software Company
7%
Computer Software Company
21%
Financial Services Firm
13%
Government
11%
Manufacturing Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft System Center Orchestrator?
It can manage multiple servers and workstations from a single location.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft System Center Orchestrator?
The platform was almost free of cost for us. We obtained a license that bundled Windows Server with System Center at no additional cost.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Microsoft System Center Orchestrator?
The product's management aspect needs enhancement. It affects the visibility of powerful scripts that were previously accessible. Furthermore, the focus is shifting towards cloud-based features, sp...
See all answers
What do you like most about vCenter Orchestrator?
The stability of the product is very good.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for vCenter Orchestrator?
We're running a low-profile budget. This is not our main focus on investment technology, so we're trying to reduce costs due to the change from perpetual to subscription licenses.
See all answers
What needs improvement with vCenter Orchestrator?
After the change from perpetual licensing to subscriptions, the cost model changed. We are considering alternatives since we lost the perpetual aspect, and support is changing.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 18% of the time
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Compared 14% of the time
BizTalk Server vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator Logo
BizTalk Server vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator
Compared 12% of the time
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Ivanti Automation vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator
Compared 12% of the time
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VMware Aria Automation vs vCenter Orchestrator Logo
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Compared 44% of the time
VMware Aria Operations vs vCenter Orchestrator Logo
VMware Aria Operations vs vCenter Orchestrator
Compared 25% of the time
VMware Cloud Director vs vCenter Orchestrator Logo
VMware Cloud Director vs vCenter Orchestrator
Compared 19% of the time
More vCenter Orchestrator Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Process Automation
June 2025
Microsoft System Center Orchestrator reportDownload Microsoft System Center Orchestrator product report
Buyer's Guide
vCenter Orchestrator
June 2025
vCenter Orchestrator reportDownload vCenter Orchestrator product report
 

Also Known As

MS System Center Orchestrator
No data available
 

Overview

As an IT administrator, you probably perform a lot of tasks and procedures to keep your computing environment healthy. You may have automated individual tasks, but typically, not the whole process. With System Center - Orchestrator you tie disparate tasks and procedures together using a graphical user interface Runbook Designer to create reliable, flexible, and efficient end-to-end solutions in your IT environment.

Microsoft
VMware vCenter Orchestrator simplifies the automation of complex IT tasks and integrates with VMware vCloud Suite components to adapt and extend service delivery and operational management, effectively working with existing infrastructure, tools and processes.
VMware
 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Beiersdorf Shared Services
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator
June 2025
Free Report: Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
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