VMware vSphere Reviews

Name: VMware vSphere
Brand: VMware
Rating: 4.4 (454 reviews)

Vendor: VMware

4.4 out of 5

454 reviews
94% willing to recommend

8,680 followers

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What is VMware vSphere?

VMware vSphere is a versatile virtualization platform known for its ease of use, flexibility, and high availability. It supports seamless migration, optimal resource allocation, and centralized management, making it highly suitable for diverse infrastructure needs.

Get the VMware vSphere Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about VMware vSphere, Proxmox VE, Hyper-V and more!

VMware vSphere is the #2 ranked solution in best Server Virtualization Software. PeerSpot users give VMware vSphere an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. VMware vSphere is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: VMware vSphere vs Proxmox VE. VMware vSphere 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 27% of all views.

Helped 851,451 peers since 2012

Featured VMware vSphere reviews

Neeraj Mehra

Manager of Solutions and Support at Esconet Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

The primary use case is for virtualization, including the implementation of vSphere, vCloud Foundation, vCloud Director, and cloud automation with vSphere My customers, particularly SMBs, mainly utilize High Availability (HA), DRS, and vMotion features. The vMotion feature is beneficial for…

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Jason Hong-Turney

Lead IT Systems Engineer at CenturyLink, Inc.

Most valuable features of vSphere 6.7, for us, at the management level would be: * VCHA is a nice redundancy feature that they added in 6.7. * I like the quality of life improvements with the VMFS-6 for using auto UNMAP on the data stores. * We really appreciate the improvements to the Clarity UI where we can manage Update Manager (VUM) and our vSAN stack within the modern interface. The solution is also very simple and efficient to manage. Features that have made it simple and easy to manage include the newer VAMI for the V-center appliance, it's very easy to see what version we are at, and very easy to upgrade to the next version. The fact that we can now use VCHA at the appliance level just decreases our chance of having an outage, because so many of our customers rely on the API interface for V-center.

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Sean Crawford

Information Systems Analyst at San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)

In terms of a performance boost, we have seen about a 10 percent boost; not by much. Our workloads aren't CPU or memory-intensive, they're more idle-intensive with storage. The solution has improved our organization in terms of compliance. In the past, we struggled with VM encryption. We couldn't encrypt the virtual machines with older versions of vSphere without some kind of third-party tool. Now, with 6.7, it's all in the application itself, in vSphere. We no longer have to procure additional products to meet that requirement. We can just do it on the fly, and pass our audit with no issues. In terms of managing it, it's a lot simpler now with the vSphere HTML5 client. With the phase-out of the Flash client, which everyone doesn't like, it allows us as administrators to do our jobs far more efficiently than it did with the Flash client.

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VMware vSphere mindshare

As of May 2025, the mindshare of VMware vSphere in the Server Virtualization Software category stands at 16.5%, down from 20.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Server Virtualization Software

PeerResearch reports based on VMware vSphere reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Server Virtualization Software	May 16, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 16, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware vSphere vs Proxmox VE	May 16, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware vSphere vs Hyper-V	May 16, 2025	Download
Comparison	VMware vSphere vs Nutanix AHV Virtualization	May 16, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Proxmox VE	4.3	18.2%	98%	62 interviews Add to research
Hyper-V	4.0	14.1%	86%	143 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

VMware vSphere's most valuable features include high availability, vMotion for seamless live migration, Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) for load balancing, and robust centralized management capabilities. Users appreciate the ease of installation and management, stability, and flexibility that allows infrastructure optimization and efficient resource use. Enhanced memory management and cost-saving benefits, paired with strong technical support and integration with various operating systems, make it a preferred choice for virtualization.

"VMware vSphere is highly scalable in terms of the number of users and the number of servers it can handle."
"The user interface is very friendly, especially in version eight."
"The stability of vSphere is rated a ten."

Room for Improvement

Users of VMware vSphere suggest improvements in pricing and technical support. They call for simplified licensing, improved user interface, and enhanced integration, especially for cloud and container environments. Concerns about complex setup, specific hardware compatibility, and memory management are noted. The web client is criticized, prompting hopes for better HTML5 implementation. Users express a desire for more features and automation while reducing reliance on add-ons and addressing snapshot and backup issues.

"The price needs improvement. It is currently too expensive, which is a significant drawback of the solution."
"The pricing of VMware vSphere needs significant improvement. Although the product is very strong and includes all necessary features, the high pricing drives many customers to avoid using it."
"Customers face challenges due to increased costs after VMware's acquisition by Broadcom. The cost changed from perpetual to subscription, and there is a need for alternative solutions."

ROI

VMware vSphere generates high returns by consolidating physical servers, contributing to significant cost savings in hardware, electricity, and management. Users report faster deployment and provision times, improved resource utilization, and operational efficiency. They experience reduced infrastructure costs and increased scalability with centralized management. The transition to virtual environments allows for greater agility and less dependency on physical assets, delivering long-term benefits for both large and expanding businesses.

Pricing

Enterprise users find VMware vSphere valuable but expensive, with a complex licensing model that includes Standard, Enterprise, and Enterprise Plus options. While some appreciate its extensive features and support, others feel the cost is prohibitive compared to competitors like Microsoft Hyper-V. Users emphasize evaluating feature needs, as the pricing model often requires significant upfront investment and careful planning to avoid unnecessary expenses. Consulting with VMware or trusted resellers for licensing guidance is advised.

"The solution's licensing is costlier than other hypervisors."
"I rate the solution's pricing a ten out of ten due to the recent price changes."
"The tool is a bit expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use VMware vSphere primarily for server virtualization, consolidating infrastructure, achieving high availability, and optimizing data center efficiency. Many implement it for private cloud creation, managing virtual machines, and workloads essential for business operations across various sectors such as education, finance, and telecommunications. Users leverage its capabilities for managing diverse environments, including development, testing, and production, allowing multiple virtual workloads per server, enhancing scalability, and ensuring business continuity through features like VMotion and DRS.

Service and Support

VMware vSphere customer service is usually responsive and efficient, with friendly staff. Some find response times needing improvement, especially for less critical issues. Technical support is generally knowledgeable and helpful, providing satisfactory resolutions. While priority issues are handled promptly, longer wait times are reported for lower priority cases. Support performance can vary depending on the representative. Experiences are mixed, with some praising swift service, while others criticize slower responses and miscommunication challenges.

Deployment

Users generally find VMware vSphere's initial setup straightforward, quick, and well-documented. With basic infrastructure knowledge, installation becomes intuitive. Some encountered complexities, especially with vCenter configurations or when involving larger infrastructures, which could require additional planning. Experienced teams often face fewer challenges, while those learning may need more time for complex environments. The setup can take from minutes to a few days, depending on requirements and familiarity with VMware. Overall, users appreciate the ease and efficiency once the setup is complete.

Scalability

VMware vSphere excels in scalability, enabling businesses to expand with ease. It supports adding hosts and servers rapidly, maintaining minimal downtime. Many businesses have successfully scaled from a few virtual machines to thousands without issues. Various environments, including enterprises with multiple nodes and clusters, have experienced seamless growth. Licensing costs can be a constraint, but vSphere's robust expansion capabilities and virtualization standards set it apart from competitors, showcasing unmatched scalability and resource optimization.

Stability

VMware vSphere demonstrates high stability with minimal issues, mainly related to third-party hardware or configuration errors. Users report infrequent stability problems, with most challenges resolved via patches or updates. The platform's reliability is praised, being rock solid over extended use periods. Occasional minor stability challenges arise, typically dependent on specific workloads or hardware vendors like HP or Dell. vSphere remains a trusted, robust choice favored for its consistent performance in virtualized environments.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our VMware vSphere 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

27%

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Government

Comms Service Provider

University

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Media Company

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Wholesaler/Distributor

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Logistics Company

Consumer Goods Company

Compare VMware vSphere with alternative products

Learn more about VMware vSphere

VMware vSphere is widely adopted for its virtualization capabilities that enhance hardware efficiency and ensure minimal downtime through features like High Availability and Distributed Resource Scheduler. Despite criticisms about high licensing costs and limited fault tolerance, it remains a preferred choice due to its stability, scalability, and robust integration options. Users appreciate its efficiency in managing virtual machines and hosting enterprise applications, although challenges with web client performance and hardware compatibility are noted. Organizations often look for better integration with cloud services and enhanced automation and scalability.

What are the core features of VMware vSphere?

vMotion: Enables seamless migration of virtual machines without downtime.
Distributed Resource Scheduler: Optimizes resource allocation across hosts.
High Availability: Minimizes downtime by automatically restarting virtual machines.
Centralized Management: Facilitates easy management of virtualized environments.
Advanced Security: Provides robust security measures and compliance features.

What benefits and ROI can businesses look for?

Reduced Operational Costs: Efficiently utilizes hardware, saving on expenses.
Scalability: Easily scales to meet growing business demands.
Business Continuity: Ensures high availability and disaster recovery.
Integration Flexibility: Supports integration with various technologies.

VMware vSphere is implemented across sectors like healthcare, finance, and education for server virtualization, data center management, and private cloud creation. Its use in facilitating business-critical operations ensures high availability and efficient resource use, supporting both development and production environments.