Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs vCenter Orchestrator comparison

Microsoft and Broadcom are both solutions in the Process Automation category. Microsoft is ranked #15 with an average rating of 9.0, while Broadcom is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.1. Microsoft holds a 1.3% mindshare in PA, compared to Broadcom’s 0.7% mindshare. Additionally, 33% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

Microsoft System Center Orc...

Read 2 Microsoft System Center Orchestrator reviews

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1,115 Comparison Views

33% willing to recommend

vCenter Orchestrator

Read 51 vCenter Orchestrator reviews

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534 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Microsoft System Center Orc...

vCenter Orchestrator

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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.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator

February 2026

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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

15th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

vCenter Orchestrator

Ranking in Process Automation

10th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Process Automation category, the mindshare of Microsoft System Center Orchestrator is 1.3%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of vCenter Orchestrator is 0.7%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Process Automation Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
vCenter Orchestrator	0.7%
Microsoft System Center Orchestrator	1.3%
Other	98.0%

Process Automation

Featured Reviews

Dan Campeanu

Security Engineer at ProVision

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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Narendar Bompally

Hybrid Cloud Engineer at RealPage

Boosts operational efficiency with flexible workflows and reliable cluster management

We currently use vCenter Orchestrator's pre-built workflow templates for our IT processes. The templates are flexible, allowing us to create and convert processes simply and manage patches. Regarding integration capabilities, we do not integrate any third-party tools. We exclusively use VMware products. The integration within the VMware infrastructure is limited to Single Sign-On (SSO). I have not created any workflows in vCenter Orchestrator as workflows are only used for change management. I have not encountered any drag and drop interface. The version control and logging features of vCenter Orchestrator have significantly improved the reliability of our automated processes, particularly during upgrades or patching to the cluster-wise. Previously, it would be done on a one-to-one cluster or one-to-one host basis, but now we only need to monitor it for upgrading or patching the entire cluster. I cannot comment on the pricing and licensing of vCenter Orchestrator as these aspects are managed by our onsite counterpart. Overall, I rate vCenter Orchestrator 8 out of 10. The rating reflects occasional delays in support response times and portal stability issues.

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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

"Automation is the most valuable feature of the solution."

"It can manage multiple servers and workstations from a single location."

"The solution is pretty stable and reliable."

"The positive impact I have seen from using vCenter Orchestrator includes benefits such as cluster and versioning, frequent updates, and updates on the Dell side."

"We have excellent technical support. They have always been helpful when we have needed them."

"The most valuable features are the graphical UI for designing the workflows and the interfaces that come out of the box."

"Technical support is helpful."

"The most valuable feature is workflow automation."

"The technical support services are excellent."

"I find that managing all my vCenters from one console is the most valuable feature."

More vCenter Orchestrator pros

Cons

"The product's management aspect needs enhancement."

"I find the Orchestrator UI to be problematic."

"There are no good manuals or guidelines on integrations. Hence, you need to be asking someone."

"vCenter Orchestrator's debugging capacity could be improved."

"I believe vCenter Orchestrator should be part of VMware vSphere's basic bundle. As a product, vCenter Orchestrator should not be licensed at all because the world has progressed way beyond what it can offer."

"The solution needs to integrate with Cloud facilities like AWS and Azure."

"Many times, customers' licenses are not used because the client is not aware of the features and the product benefits. When somebody is buying a product, they just do a default configuration."

"In the next release, to make it easier to write the workflows, I would l like to see more HTML GUIs."

"It is practically difficult at this stage to really comment on the improvisations of V central. But more tech events and PoC cases would help the EA to design better solutions and utilization."

"The GUI should be enhanced in the future."

More vCenter Orchestrator cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We obtained a license that bundled Windows Server with System Center at no additional cost."

"I give the cost of the solution a five out of ten."

"vCenter Orchestrator could be more affordable."

"We provide the VMware solution to our clients, for which they pay a perpetual license."

"This solution is expensive and the licensing is more attractive for Haveri."

"The price is reasonable, and one of the reasons that this product was selected."

"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."

"vCenter Orchestrator is a very expensive solution."

"The licensing cost is manageable because they have different versions available, standard, essential, and advanced."

"My company needs to make yearly payments towards the licensing costs attached to the product."

More vCenter Orchestrator pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

16%

Government

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Insurance Company

Marketing Services Firm

14%

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	18
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	20

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.

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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...

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What do you like most about vCenter Orchestrator?

The stability of the product is very good.

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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?

For our environment, I do not see any areas of vCenter Orchestrator that could be improved or enhanced. We are currently satisfied with the orchestrator. If any improvements are needed, I will prov...

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Comparisons

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Compared 12% of the time

Ivanti Automation vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Compared 11% of the time

CA Process Automation vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Compared 10% of the time

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VMware Cloud Director vs vCenter Orchestrator

Compared 24% of the time

VMware Aria Automation vs vCenter Orchestrator

Compared 23% of the time

VMware Aria Operations vs vCenter Orchestrator

Compared 19% of the time

Camunda vs vCenter Orchestrator

Compared 12% of the time

ServiceNow Orchestration vs vCenter Orchestrator

Compared 9% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Process Automation

January 2026

Microsoft System Center Orchestrator report

Download Microsoft System Center Orchestrator product report

Buyer's Guide

vCenter Orchestrator

January 2026

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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.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Beiersdorf Shared Services

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft System Center Orchestrator vs. vCenter Orchestrator

February 2026

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: February 2026.

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