Why Companies Are Switching to VMware Alternatives in 2025

If VMware is now a burden for your infrastructure, you are not alone. In 2023, Broadcom was launched. Since then, most uses of VMware have become redundant. However, the VMware Alternatives are not the ultimate solutions. 

Users dropping VMware had to pay more for an alternative virtualization platform. The product lines have also been slashed. Meanwhile, companies have been forced to distance themselves from their long-term providers. Suddenly, new vendors are asking for more. 

In this dicey circumstance, what virtualization platform should you trust and onboard? Keep reading for more insights! 

What Changed?

These changes are prompting the rise of new VMware alternatives in 2025:

• A lot of perpetual VMware licenses have been removed.

• Users have been forced to buy subscription bundles with fewer SKUs.

• 72-core threshold purchase requirements (earlier 16 only).

• End of the era, when users onboarded ESXi, vSAN, NSX, and Aria Suite.

• Amidst distribution chaos, Ingram Micro replaced VMware completely.

Other Reasons To Embrace Alternatives 

Suddenly, IT infrastructure solutions are costing more than they are worth. Moreover, the smaller deployments are completely priced out of reach. 

However, the alternatives are not to adopt any of the smaller deployments. Therefore, engineering leaders from different companies are questioning what the most effective way is to tackle the challenges now. 

What Kind of Alternatives Do Companies Want? 

Suppose you are planning to leave VMware and are seeking better and more affordable alternatives. Here are some things you might be seeking:

• Hypervisor replacements to help you maintain the workflow that VMware offered.

• Cloud-native orbits so that you don’t need VMs anymore. 

• Service platforms like Sangfor, which can move flexibly either way.

Option 1: Hypervisor Replacements 

If you are not able to completely move away from virtual machines, you can use any of these virtualization platforms as VMware competitors:

1. Sangfor 

Sangfor HCI  - The Hyper-Converged Infrastructure software offered by Sangfor, is an alternative to traditional hypervisors like VMware.  Sangfor’s unified platform can compile, compute, store, and network to create a simple and highly streamlined infrastructure. Hence, users don’t have to manage the respective components individually. 

Best Features To Consider: 

• A hyper-converged Approach to combine computing, storage, and network attributes in one platform. 

• A more scalable approach that helps organizations adjust the resource count as needed. 

2. Microsoft

If you are already using the Windows server, you are probably using Hyper-V. At first look, it is an integrated hypervisor linked to the Microsoft ecosystem. It is most compatible with Azure and System Center. 

The systems that rely mainly on Windows software are a seamless option. However, enterprise virtualization software, such as Linux, and its features are not as potent. Therefore, you will have to do a considerable amount of manual work to manage the infrastructure. 

Best Features To Consider: 

• It requires no additional cost, as it is included with the Server licenses that Windows offers naturally. 

• A perfect fit with Microsoft tools.

• It comes with unique additives like migration, clustering, and the best features from other vendors.

• Best for handling Windows workload.

3. Nutanix AHV

The generic hyperconverged system of Nutanix is AHV. Once VMware is replaced, the VM, vSAN, and NSX are integrated into a single system, which the Prism UI primarily manages. 

If you plan to modernize storage and computing simultaneously, Nutanix can significantly simplify the process. 

However, there is a major issue that you need to address before proceeding. Replacing the VMware lock-in with the Nutanix lock-in incurs significant upfront costs. 

Best Reasons To Choose Nutanix

• Integrated storage, networking, and computation using the Prism UI.

• An in-built backup feature, alongside DR, and unique snapshot capabilities. 

• It is easy to manage despite being KVM-based.

4. OpenStack 

It is one of the open-source cloud infrastructure alternatives that functions similarly to AWS but offers greater flexibility and adaptability. The primary services include computing, storage, and networking, encompassing the identification of services through APIs and dashboard services. 

Large companies, such as AT&T and Walmart, operate numerous clouds on OpenStack. However, it is not fully automated. 

You need to have at least a few capable cloud engineering members to use it optimally. 

The Best Features To Consider:

• OpenStack has already performed well in telco  and cloud environments. 

• OpenStack requires no additional license fees.

• Moreover, it is an open architecture with prominent community support. 

Option 2: Renounce VMs Completely 

Rather than using VMware alternatives, some companies are thinking a layer above. For example, Kubernetes has launched a unique model. Instead of being stuck in the loop of servers and OS instances, you can play a key role in easily managing workloads. 

However, it is a big shift. Hence, SMBs might not be able to accommodate such vigorous changes at an insurmountable upfront cost. Therefore, a VMware alternative virtualization platform is necessary. Choose the most compatible alternative today.