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Dell PowerScale Reviews

Vendor: Dell Technologies
4.4 out of 5
Badge Ranked 1
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What is Dell PowerScale?

Dell PowerScale leads in unstructured data management with unified file and object storage, massive scalability, security, and cloud adaptability, enhancing AI, analytics, and enterprise applications with exceptional performance and resilience.

Get the Dell PowerScale Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Dell PowerScale, Dell PowerStore, Red Hat Ceph Storage and more!
Dell PowerScale is the #1 ranked solution in top NAS solutions and #2 ranked solution in top File and Object Storage solutions. PeerSpot users give Dell PowerScale an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. Dell PowerScale is most commonly compared to Dell PowerStore: Dell PowerScale vs Dell PowerStore. Dell PowerScale is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 59% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a manufacturing company, accounting for 11% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerScale
May 2026
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Dell PowerScale mindshare

Product category:
NAS
As of May 2026, the mindshare of Dell PowerScale in the NAS category stands at 14.5%, down from 17.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
NAS Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Dell PowerScale (Isilon)14.5%
NetApp FAS Series10.6%
Dell PowerStore7.9%
Other67.0%
NAS

PeerResearch reports based on Dell PowerScale reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryNASMay 21, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersMay 21, 2026Download
ComparisonDell PowerScale vs Dell PowerStoreMay 21, 2026Download
ComparisonDell PowerScale vs NetApp FAS SeriesMay 21, 2026Download
ComparisonDell PowerScale vs CTERA Enterprise File Services PlatformMay 21, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Dell PowerStore4.47.9%97%205 interviewsAdd to research
Red Hat Ceph Storage4.1N/A82%27 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated May 21, 2026

Valuable Features

Scalability and ease of use are among Dell PowerScale's most valuable features. Users value its high performance, flexibility, and integration with various protocols. Features like data protection, erasure coding, and redundancy ensure data security. Dell PowerScale's ability to support AI workloads and low-latency connections is crucial for enterprises. Powerful UI, cost efficiency, real-time processing, and hybrid cloud capabilities enhance overall manageability and operational flexibility.
  • "My favorite thing about Dell PowerScale is its scalability."
  • "I feel that the reliability and availability of Dell PowerScale have positively affected my company's data operations as it's running stably, and we haven't had service outages or anything of that nature, so it's been very helpful."
  • "I assess the stability and reliability of Dell PowerScale as top-notch, as the only issues we have ever had are just failed drives, which is to be expected."

Room for Improvement

Dell PowerScale has challenges with deployment, pricing, and technical support. Enhancements are needed in features such as object storage integration and small file handling. Users experience difficulties with interface navigation and managing updates. Handling of hardware replacements is cumbersome, and improvements are required in storage performance and security. There is a desire for better cloud integration, enhanced AI capabilities, and a more straightforward configuration to reduce the high level of expertise required.
  • "My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Dell PowerScale has been expensive."
  • "I would appreciate seeing improvements in Dell PowerScale, particularly because it has been weak with small file writes."
  • "An example of something that is problematic at the moment or that I would want to see improved is that there needs to be further delineation between access zones and settings."

ROI

Users of Dell PowerScale see a return by handling more customers efficiently without extra hires, citing its scalability and reduced energy consumption. PowerScale's performance enhances data management, reduces costs through deduplication, and proves economical compared to cloud solutions. The platform facilitates improved workflow and storage, cutting administration needs and overheads. Users appreciate the product’s stability, long-term usability, and effective disaster recovery, resulting in substantial time and cost savings.

Pricing

Dell PowerScale users find pricing generally high but justifiable due to its features and performance. Licensing options allow customization based on needs, and negotiating prices with resellers can offer flexibility. While the initial setup and overall costs may be significant, especially for large data requirements, many users perceive the solution as cost-effective considering its scalability and ease of use. Comparisons with competitors like IBM and Qumulo reveal PowerScale's value despite higher expenses.
  • "The pricing is excellent."
  • "It's a high-cost offering amounting to three or four million Swedish kronor, or about $400,000 or euros, for approximately 480 terabytes of storage."
  • "Dell PowerScale is expensive on the start-up side but we can recoup those costs quickly by not having to reapply the savings to other equipment."

Popular Use Cases

Dell PowerScale's primary use case includes managing large-scale unstructured data. Companies often use it for data storage, file management, and storage scalability. Industries like oil and gas, healthcare, media, and financial services benefit from its capability to handle vast data, such as seismographic analysis and video files. Organizations use it for efficient data sharing across various systems and environments, including Windows, Linux, and Azure, facilitating storage consolidation and data protection.

Service and Support

Dell PowerScale's customer service and support receive generally positive feedback, with 24/7 availability, knowledgeable staff, and quick resolution times. Many rate their experience highly, praising the responsiveness and dedication of technical support, especially during complex issues. Some users note variations in quality and response time, particularly at the first level of support. Regional differences and occasional communication issues are mentioned, but escalation processes ensure effective problem-solving for most users.

Deployment

Initial setup experiences with Dell PowerScale are predominantly positive, highlighting its straightforward and efficient process. Deployment duration varies, typically taking a few days to a week. Most users find the installation easy, with some requiring support from Dell or professional services. While some mention complexities related to specific environments or network settings, many praise Dell for its supportive deployment team. Maintenance is often minimal once operational, with many valuing its simplicity and reliability.

Scalability

Dell PowerScale is praised for its seamless scalability, accommodating high data demands with ease. Users appreciate the ability to expand storage effortlessly by adding nodes without complex management. It supports both large and small organizations and adapts to various storage needs. PowerScale handles extensive data and connections, providing stability and reliable performance. Its features, like automatic tiering and flexible configuration, aid in future-proofing storage capabilities for diverse enterprise requirements.

Stability

Dell PowerScale is highly regarded for its stability, receiving numerous ten out of ten ratings. Many note its reliable performance with minimal downtime, some mentioning flawless operation over years of use. Users highlight its ability to handle power issues without data loss and commend its robustness even with hardware failures. Occasional issues generally result from support or deployment, not the system itself. The product frequently earns praise for being stable and reliable.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Dell PowerScale Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business23
Midsize Enterprise19
Large Enterprise44
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business496
Midsize Enterprise246
Large Enterprise1075
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
11%
Computer Software Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Government
8%
Healthcare Company
8%
University
6%
Comms Service Provider
5%
Outsourcing Company
4%
Educational Organization
4%
Insurance Company
3%
Retailer
3%
Media Company
3%
Construction Company
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Non Profit
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Pharma/Biotech Company
2%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
2%
Marketing Services Firm
2%
Transportation Company
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Recruiting/Hr Firm
1%

Compare Dell PowerScale with alternative products

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Learn more about Dell PowerScale

Dell PowerScale Isilon provides a comprehensive platform for unstructured data, excelling in scalability, management, and performance. With features like single-pane management, SyncIQ, and SmartQuotas, it handles large datasets with flexibility and robust security. Its multi-protocol support and seamless expansion improve operational efficiency. While it offers strong data protection, enhancements in cloud integration, cybersecurity, and performance are sought. Users note potential for cost reductions and streamlined configurations and mention desired improvements in object storage handling and NFS support.

What are the key features of Dell PowerScale Isilon?

  • Single-pane management: Simplifies data control and monitoring through a unified interface.
  • SyncIQ: Ensures efficient data replication for business continuity.
  • SmartQuotas: Provides intelligent quota management for optimized storage allocation.
  • Multi-protocol support: Facilitates cross-platform data access and integration.
  • Seamless storage expansion: Allows effortless scaling to accommodate growing data needs.

What benefits should users consider when reviewing Dell PowerScale Isilon?

  • Operational efficiency: Reduces workload with easy management and automation.
  • Enhanced security: Offers comprehensive data protection and recovery options.
  • Scalability: Supports large-scale data storage with flexible growth capabilities.
  • Performance: Delivers high-speed data processing for demanding applications.
  • Integration flexibility: Adapts to on-prem and hybrid cloud environments for diverse deployment needs.

Organizations across industries utilize Dell PowerScale Isilon for large-scale unstructured storage, supporting applications like video archiving, genomic data storage, and high-resolution imaging. Educational institutions, research centers, and media enterprises rely on its scaled-out storage capabilities, providing centralized, secure storage for diverse applications in hybrid, cloud, and on-prem environments.

Dell PowerScale was previously known as PowerScale, Dell EMC Isilon.

Dell PowerScale customers

OMRF, University of Utah, Translational Genetics Research Institute, Arcis, Geofizyka Torumn, Cyprus E&P Corporation, Colburn School, Columbia Sportswear, Harvard Medical School, University of Michigan, National Library of France,

Related questions

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  • 279
How to backup Dell EMC PowerScale (Isilon) with Veeam or an alternative tool?
  • 288
What is the biggest difference between EMC Isilon and NetApp FAS Series?
  • 49
How would you compare the performance of DDN Storage vs Dell EMC PowerScale (Isilon)?
  • 71
When evaluating NAS, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
  • 90
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  • 84
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  • 53
What are the top 8 Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices?
  • 50
What advice do you have for people considering NAS storage?
  • 80
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Product Categories

Product Categories
NAS
File and Object Storage

Popular Comparisons

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Dell PowerScale Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Systems Engineer at Unisity LLC5.0We use Dell PowerScale (Isilon) for large data storage and retrieval, benefiting from its flexibility and scalability. Despite deployment challenges, our satisfaction with the product remains high, especially as it integrates well with our existing systems.
Solutions Architect at a university with 10,001+ employees4.0I use Dell PowerScale (Isilon) for file sharing and enterprise needs; it scales well, minimizes downtime, and is reliable, though the administrative costs are high. I rate it 9.5 out of 10 for overall performance.
Storage Platform Engineer at Expedia Group5.0I've used Dell PowerScale (Isilon) for seven years as a stable, scalable file server with excellent replication and snapshot features, though it lacks SAN support and could improve backup integration and technical support responsiveness.
Chief Executive Officer at Orbital Virtual Studios5.0Dell PowerScale is crucial for our virtual production, providing unmatched speed and reliability. It enables immediate data access across many computers, drastically improving production efficiency and delivering a competitive edge, with outstanding support.
Manager, Information Technology at a transportation company with 11-50 employees4.5Dell PowerScale centralizes our file storage, boosting efficiency and digital transformation. I value its scalability and good support. My main concerns are the complex DR implementation and non-user-friendly code upgrades.
Senior Manager, Information Security & Infrastructure at National Football League4.0I've managed Dell PowerScale (Isilon) for 18 years and found it reliable, scalable, and low-maintenance, though its UI could improve. It's cost-effective, supports our file storage needs well, and customer service has always been responsive.
Senior Manager, Engineering, Oem Solutions at BCDVideo4.0I value Dell PowerScale for its excellent scalability and easy deployment in critical infrastructure, backed by reliable stability and customer service. However, its high price point is a significant hurdle for my industry, impacting its accessibility for many customers.
Technical Video Lead, Av at a real estate/law firm with 1,001-5,000 employees5.0I've used Dell PowerScale (Isilon) for years and found it fast, stable, and highly scalable, though complex to set up. Once configured, it requires minimal maintenance, and support is generally solid, with room for easier initial configuration.