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Oracle VM Reviews

Vendor: Oracle
4.0 out of 5
2,975 followers
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What is Oracle VM?

Oracle VM for x86

Get the Oracle VM Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Oracle VM, Proxmox VE, VMware vSphere and more!
Oracle VM is the #6 ranked solution in best Server Virtualization Software. PeerSpot users give Oracle VM an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Oracle VM is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: Oracle VM vs Proxmox VE. Oracle VM is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 46% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 22% of all views.
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Oracle VM
May 2025
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Oracle VM mindshare

As of June 2025, the mindshare of Oracle VM in the Server Virtualization Software category stands at 7.3%, up from 6.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Server Virtualization Software

PeerResearch reports based on Oracle VM reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryServer Virtualization SoftwareJun 20, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersJun 20, 2025Download
ComparisonOracle VM vs Proxmox VEJun 20, 2025Download
ComparisonOracle VM vs VMware vSphereJun 20, 2025Download
ComparisonOracle VM vs Hyper-VJun 20, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Proxmox VE4.317.9%98%62 interviewsAdd to research
VMware vSphere4.416.2%94%454 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Oracle VM's valuable features include network and storage enhancements, efficient resource management with Distributed Resource Scheduling, and high scalability. Users appreciate free access, compatibility with diverse operating systems, simplified deployment via templates, and secure live migration. They benefit from reduced licensing costs through CPU pinning and enjoy robust performance and stability. The intuitive GUI, ease of management, and seamless Oracle Database integration are also highlighted. It excels in high availability and rapid provisioning.
  • "Oracle VMs and logical domains have proven reliable over the years."
  • "I can dynamically adjust resources—it's stable and offers virtual functions."
  • "The simplicity is a strong point."

Room for Improvement

Oracle VM requires enhancement in several areas, including backup and snapshot functionalities, automation in live migration, and user interface intuitiveness. Performance lag compared to competitors, such as VMware, is a concern. Command-line options and integration with external products and services could be improved for better flexibility. Documentation and support accessibility are limited, making adoption challenging. Security enhancements, including integration and role-based access control, are also needed to meet broader industry standards.
  • "The main drawback is having a single hardware with multiple logical domains. If I have limited systems and there is maintenance on the hardware, the Oracle systems are impacted."
  • "Not every upgrade goes smoothly, and after an upgrade, it sometimes stops working. There are cases where I had to downgrade the system to get it working again."
  • "Not every upgrade goes smoothly, and after an upgrade, it sometimes stops working."

ROI

ROI was mixed, with some experiencing low returns despite free licensing and others enjoying cost efficiency due to flexible purchasing of licenses. Oracle VM enabled significant savings and ease of deployment for some, while others didn't see direct value, especially when used for monitoring. The tool was found cost-effective with strong support but had no significant impact in some organizations. It offered time savings through easy implementation and stability, which were appreciated by many.

Pricing

Oracle VM offers an economically viable virtualization solution for enterprises, with a zero-license cost when used with Oracle hardware and competitive support fees. The flexible licensing model based on actual CPU usage significantly lowers Oracle product costs compared to competitors like VMware. While the high initial hardware expense may deter some, the inclusion of support for Oracle Solaris and Oracle Enterprise Linux enhances value. Overall, Oracle VM is a cost-effective choice for organizations already leveraging Oracle solutions.
  • "The pricing for the platform is aligned with other enterprise virtualization solutions."
  • "Oracle VM is an open-source solution."
  • "The user will be charged accordingly as well—pay as you go. Basically, you get charged only for storage. If I stop a VM, then I'm not charged for the CPU usage. So, that's fine."

Popular Use Cases

Oracle VM is primarily utilized for server virtualization, application deployment, and integration with Oracle databases. It is frequently employed in development, training, project management, and private cloud building. Organizations use it to reduce licensing costs through CPU pinning and hard partitioning. It supports Oracle environments and offers features like live migration, high availability, and centralized management. Users recommend it for hosting Oracle products in various sectors, ensuring compliance with licensing requirements.

Service and Support

Oracle VM's customer service and technical support vary in effectiveness. Initially, support was deemed subpar by several users, but improvements have been noted over time. Many users find technical support knowledgeable and responsive, especially in critical situations. Some rely on community forums for assistance, while others do not engage with support due to product stability. Users highlight issues with first-level support but appreciate the ability to escalate cases for more specialized assistance.

Deployment

Experienced administrators found Oracle VM's initial setup straightforward, especially with Linux expertise. Many noted simplicity in basic installations using available documentation, highlighting quick deployment with practice. Complexities arose with advanced configurations and third-party integrations, often requiring detailed planning. Users highlighted improved ease in recent versions, though challenges remained for large-scale or unique setups. Consistent feedback pointed out that familiarity with similar systems aids in simplifying the process.

Scalability

Oracle VM is recognized for its scalability, with users frequently noting its ability to handle scaling without issues. It's capable of accommodating large environments and integrates well with existing systems. Although some express concerns about licensing costs linked to hardware upgrades, many find its allocation options flexible. A number of users rate scalability highly, appreciating its support for both vertical and horizontal scaling, making it suitable for various organization sizes.

Stability

Oracle VM's stability has generally improved with newer versions, solving initial major issues. Users report that it is rock solid and reliable, though some have encountered issues during upgrades. Many praise Oracle VM for being stable when implemented correctly, with minimal downtime. Occasional problems and performance issues, especially regarding connectivity and storage expansion, are noted by some users. Most experiences highlight its reliability, with versions 3 and onward providing significant stability enhancements.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Oracle VM Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
22%
Computer Software Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Government
6%
University
5%
Retailer
3%
Healthcare Company
2%
Media Company
2%
Insurance Company
2%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Energy/Utilities Company
2%
Hospitality Company
2%
Construction Company
2%
Non Profit
2%
Outsourcing Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Transportation Company
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Performing Arts
1%

Compare Oracle VM with alternative products

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Learn more about Oracle VM

Oracle VM for x86 is a Xen based server virtualization platform for public and private cloud and traditional on premise deployment. Oracle VM offers full lifecycle and application deployment from disk to cloud.

Designed and optimized for security, efficiency and performance Oracle VM supports major hardware vendors x86 and storage platforms and can run workloads on Linux, Windows and Oracle Solaris. Uniquely for our virtualization platform it offers live patching via Ksplice enhancing security and minimizing service disruption. Oracle VM supports hard partitioning which can significantly reduce software applications licensing costs.

Oracle VM for SPARC

Oracle VM for SPARC is a firmware based virtualization platform for Oracle and Fujitsu SPARC based servers running Solaris. Oracle VM supports hard partitioning which can significantly reduce software applications licensing costs.

Oracle VM customers

Ambulance Victoria, Australian Finance Group (AFG), Avnet Technology Solutions, CERN, cloudKleyer, Danish Tax Authority (SKAT), Data Intensity, Dubai World, Engineers Australia, Enkitec, Groupe FLO, Guerra S.A. Implemento, s Rodovišrios, Interactive One, IT Convergence, Jesta Digital, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, KT, Kyoto Prefecture, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory / National Ignition Facility, Multinet Pakistan, National Australia Bank (NAB), Navis LLC, Overhead Door, Overstock.com, Paragon Data, Parks Victoria, Pella, Sunway Shared Services, St. Louis Metro, Terminales Ro de la Plata S.A., University of Massachusetts, Versace,

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Oracle VM reviews

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RJ
Owner at Inforex
Verified user of Oracle VM
Jan 7, 2025
Simplicity in setup and use enhances personal computing

Pros

"The simplicity is a strong point. "

Cons

"Not every upgrade goes smoothly, and after an upgrade, it sometimes stops working."

What is our primary use case?

I mostly use it on a personal computer for multiple services like databases. However, I do not run all of them at the same time. I run the one that is needed at the moment, and then I work on an application that uses this exact database or this exact environment.

What is most valuable?

The simplicity is a strong point. It is easy to start working with and has a very good implementation. The functions are basic yet effective. Moreover, it is easy to copy or clone one Oracle workstation to another.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (432 words)
PeerSpot user
Senior Infrastructure Specialist at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
Verified user of Oracle VM
Jan 26, 2025
Logical domains maintain uptime with helpful virtualization and great for adjusting resources

Pros

"I can dynamically adjust resources—it's stable and offers virtual functions."

Cons

"The main drawback is having a single hardware with multiple logical domains. If I have limited systems and there is maintenance on the hardware, the Oracle systems are impacted."

What is our primary use case?

I use this for virtualization. Suppose I am acquiring hardware with high cores and high memory. For example, consider getting physical hardware with 16 cores and specific memory. Suppose a database requires two to four cores and a certain amount of memory. I create one logical domain on top of the physical domain and install that particular product on it. 

If I want to take it to the next level, imagine creating a logical domain of 16 cores with 256 gigabytes of memory. On top of that, I would install the type one Solaris Zones for other virtualization. On the physical level, I have a virtualized and logical domain with Zones on it for the other virtualization of different systems.

What is most valuable?

Oracle VM seems like normal physical hardware, however, it's logical. Suppose I install systems on physical hardware. If there is an issue with the operating system running on top of it, there's no primary and secondary domain, rather segregated I/Os, disks, memory, everything assigned to a logical domain. If one control or service domain is down, the logical domain remains up. That's a main advantage, however, it requires expertise. I can dynamically adjust resources—it's stable and offers virtual functions. While Oracle VM was once more popular, Linux is now more common because Oracle VM uses Oracle Solaris OS.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Read full review (725 words)
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AF
IT Technology Manager at Americana Group
Verified user of Oracle VM
Mar 31, 2024
Offers numerous features in its commercial version

Pros

"Oracle VM is user-friendly and facilitates compliance with Oracle Licensing, a feature not provided by competitors like VMware or Hyper-V. Oracle prefers customers to use their technology. It is also easy to implement, clone, and deploy machines with Oracle VM, making it a convenient solution."

Cons

"Oracle VM could provide integration with backup solutions."

What is our primary use case?

We mostly use the solution for Oracle products, middleware, and databases.

How has it helped my organization?


*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (750 words)
Rasika Sudasinghe - PeerSpot user
Senior Director - Systems Architecture at MIT ESP
Verified user of Oracle VM
Aug 29, 2023
A cheap option available for Linux environments which is useful for many workloads

Pros

"I like Oracle VM's vMotion and cloning features."

Cons

"The only improvement needed for Oracle VM is the look and feel of the interface."

What is our primary use case?

Oracle VM is an alternative solution for VMware and ESXi and is a low-cost proposition. Oracle VM is free in my facility.

How has it helped my organization?

The solution can be used for many different workloads, such as Windows and Linux. Only VMware offers that level of differentiation from a product compatibility perspective.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Read full review (495 words)
MV
Senior Oracle DBA at ChipCard
Verified user of Oracle VM
Jun 28, 2024
Has minimal system downtime and provides the ability to run multiple instances simultaneously

Pros

"It provides reliable virtualization that supports our operational needs without significant performance issues. "

Cons

"The product's user interface could be more intuitive for less experienced users."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use it in our PCI industry solutions and for Oracle middleware, which connects applications to Oracle databases and provides web services.

What is most valuable?

The product's most valuable feature is the ability to run multiple instances of the same product in testing environments before moving them to production.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (327 words)
PeerSpot user
Software Engg at Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Verified user of Oracle VM
Jan 7, 2025
Integration capabilities with good performance and a straightforward setup

Pros

"I found it easy to set up. "

Cons

"Our product had several issues with post-migration. "

What is our primary use case?

I was using it for my project work. Our product, where I was working, needed support in Oracle VM, so I was trying to explore how our product could be used on top of Oracle VM. It was primarily to support our product on Oracle VM. That is mostly the use case I was trying for.

What needs improvement?

Our product had several issues with post-migration. The keys in our disk storage were not operating properly for writing the I/O, which was a problem. It was not functioning correctly, which is why we could not use it. I was not attempting to use any specific features.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
Read full review (355 words)
Andre-Rocha - PeerSpot user
Senior Database Specialist at Deverg
Verified user of Oracle VM
Feb 5, 2024
Has clear integration and detailed migration but is not very stable

Pros

"VMware is user-friendly, with clear integration and detailed migration."

Cons

"Oracle VM is not very stable. When you encounter any issue, it's unclear what is happening."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution to deliver the correct license validation for the Oracle database. They advised us to use the Oracle VM for some environments.

What is most valuable?

VMware is user-friendly, with clear integration and detailed migration.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Read full review (442 words)
DK
CEO at iSolute Ltd
Verified user of Oracle VM
Nov 30, 2023
A stable tool useful for monitoring purposes that helps resolve issues quickly

Pros

"The product's initial setup phase was simple."

Cons

"The automatic start of the product to work as a background process has shortcomings and needs improvement."

What is our primary use case?

I use Oracle VM in my company mainly for simple things, not heavy stuff. In general, Oracle VM mainly helps with the monitoring of different servers.

What needs improvement?

The automatic start of the product to work as a background process has shortcomings and needs improvement. If you restart the machine to implement a feature through auto-start, you should get a tray icon or a service without the need for any additional tuning or scripts.

*Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Read full review (493 words)