Want to cut right to the case? If you are looking for hardware-level isolation and security, VMware is the best option. On the other hand, If you’re a developer hoping to build, deploy, and run your applications, Docker is the best option.
The need to maximize the potential of servers brought about the need for virtualization. Likewise, the need to maximize the potential of visualization necessitated the creation of a variety of app virtualization solutions for developers.
Among the most prominent tools for virtualizing applications are VMware and Docker. Both have separate offers they bring to the table, yet they share similarities and can be combined to yield good results.
This article will compare these tools to help you determine which deployment toolkit is best for you. In the end, you’ll be able to tell their major differences and similarities, including features and capabilities, their cost, and reasons why you may choose one over the other. It’ll also suggest the best alternatives in case you don’t feel like using any.
VMware vs Docker: The Major Differences
So, what are the major differences between VMware and Docker?
Well, VMware is a virtual machine (VM) used for hardware virtualization, while Docker is a containerization technology (or a container) used to create and run robust applications.
Other differences include:
| VMware | Docker |
| Uses more resources | Less resource usage |
| Heavier with the size running into gigabytes | Lightweight and runs in MBs and KBs |
| Boot speed is in minutes | Takes seconds to boot |
| Takes longer to create | Can take seconds to be created |
| Machine hardware emulation | Operating system emulation |
VMware vs Docker: Features and Capabilities
Features
Both tools have several outstanding features that help them to perform at the top level in their different departments.
So, what features and capabilities do both tools offer?
VMware Features and Capabilities
- VMware Cloud Foundation
This feature lets you manage VM and container-based workloads, using VMware’s hybrid cloud platform. Among its capabilities are
- Management made easier
- Architectural Consistency
- Lower Prices
- VM and Container Management in One Place.
- VMware Tanzu
This range of applications lets you modernize and improve your apps and infrastructure. This ultimately helps for consistent delivery of superior software to production. Their capabilities include:
- 61% faster release time
- 90% faster environment provisioning
- 69% more efficient operations
- Full-stark observability
- VMware Workspace One
This offers digital workspace tools to assist users in effectively protecting their digital workspace. Other capabilities include:
- End-to-end security
- Modern management and conditional access
- Insights and automation through machine learning
- Data loss prevention
- VMware security
This contains security tools that offer your apps and data security by providing seamless operations and complete visibility. Among its offerings are endpoint, cloud, and network security.
- VMware Support
This comes in two features; Skyline which offers proactive intelligence and automated log transfer, and Success 360 which offers you overall guidance.
Docker Features and Capabilities
- Docker Build
With Docker, you can build with no limit. Based on capability, Docker:
- Let’s you package applications.
- Integrates with your favorite development tools like VS Code and GitHub.
- Helps you develop multi-container applications using Docker Compose.
- Docker Run
With Docker, you can run your applications effortlessly in multiple environments whether for production and design, testing, and staging. The run feature also lets you:
- Deploy your applications.
- Utilize Docker Compose CLI for speed development
- Launch applications both locally and on the cloud.
- Docker share
With its sophisticated share feature, you can:
- Build a multi-container application with Docker Compose.
- Collaborate on Docker Hub to come up with new ideas.
- Personalize image access as a developer.
- Learn about activities using Docker Hub Audit Logs.
- Docker Support
This feature helps you to receive support. This helps to guide you through the building, sharing, and running of your Docker applications.
VMware vs Docker: Pricing
The pricing for VMware differs and is rather confusing. Its bundles are featured under several categories and products. These include vSphere products for data center virtualization and cloud infrastructure. There’s also VMware Workstation (for Windows and Linux) and Fusion (for Mac) for its local desktop virtualization.
Pricing for vSphere ranges from $576.96 for the Essentials Kit to $5,596 for Essentials plus. Pricing for its Workstation Player 16 and Player 12 starts at $149 (plus $79 if you choose to upgrade) and ends at $199 for the Workstation Pro 16 and Fusion Pro 12 (plus $99 to upgrade).
For its part, Docker offers four subscription packages. Users can choose from a free-to-use package suited for individual developers, small businesses, education, and open-source communities. This package, however, comes with limited features. There is also the Pro package pegged at $5/month (billed annually for $60), Team at $7/per user/month (billed annually for $300), and Business at $25/per user/month.
Reasons to Choose VMware over Docker
There are several reasons to choose VMware over Docker. These include hardware-level isolation and security.
Virtual machines’ host kernels are highly isolated. Also, they do not share their operating system. As a result, VMware offers more security than Docker. If you’re looking for greater isolation or machine portability, VMware is your best option between both virtualization tools.
Also, you should choose VMware if you’re trying to save resources during development in situations where you’re transitioning a monolithic application. This means migrating such an application to containers from on-prem hosting.
VMware is also the better option if you want to run and manage several OSs. This is also the case if you want to gain access to the resources and complete functionality of the OS.
Reasons to Choose Docker over VMware
If you’re a developer hoping to build, deploy, and run your applications, then there are several reasons to choose Docker over VMware.
Consider software/application portability: Unlike in VMs, where porting may prove difficult because they have separate Oss from the host OS, containers are lightweight and portable due to the lack of a separate OS. Thus, they can be easily transferred to a separate OS and run right away.
So, if you’re looking to build and test your programs across several platforms during development, Docker is the option to go with.
Performance and speed: This is another reason to choose Docker over VMware. Its lightweight design makes it a better alternative than VMware. As a result, the former can boot faster than the latter. Its resource-intensive functionality also means that Docker’s applications can be deployed faster.
VMware vs Docker: The Similarities
Both VMware and Docker run on cloud computing. This means the supply of various services, including software, databases, networking, servers, and data storage, using Internet technology.
Both are used for virtualizing applications. Also, both can be combined to deploy applications. This means that Docker can be run on VMware, therefore creating a hybrid that can be used to get the most out of limited hardware resources.
VMware and Docker Alternatives
Although both tools are among the best virtualization tools in their respective areas, there are several alternatives you may choose from if you decide not to go with any of the tolls. So, whether you’re looking for speed and performance, flexibility, data management, cost, or security, you may want to consider these alternatives:
Best VMware Alternatives
- VirtualBox
- QEMU
- Kernel Virtual Machine
- Parallels Desktop.
- vSphere
- Microsoft Hyper-V
Best Docker Alternatives
- LXD
- Podman
- Buildkit
- Containerd
- RunC
- Buildah
VMware and Docker: Final Verdict
Both VMware and Docker offer significantly different virtualization and deployment solutions. Yet, both are similar in various ways, as pointed out in the article.
However, their usage depends on what you want to do and how you want it done. Hence, you need to always remember that each has its own set of applications.
If speed is what you’re looking for when trying to run or deploy your applications, Docker is preferable to use. If, however, you’re among those who care about greater security and stability, then VMware has better offerings on the table.
For pricing, VMware may prove very expensive to use when compared to Docker. This means that virtually everyone can use Docker, especially those who do not have extra cash to spend on services.
VMware vs Docker FAQs
What is VMware?
Founded in 1998, VMware is a cloud computing and virtualization firm that provides multi-cloud services for all apps. It is also the name of the firm’s virtual machine software developed for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
What are the Hardware Requirements for Running VMware?
To run VMware, you must have an x64-bit operating system and an Intel or AMD x86 processor (must have two or more logical cores) running at 2.0 GHz or more. You also need at least 3GB of RAM and 2GB of disk storage (recommended).
Can Docker Replace VMware?
No, at least not any time soon. VMware has several advantages over Docker, including greater security. So, until Docker outdoes VMware in all categories.
Is Docker a Virtual Machine?
A Docker is not a VM. Docker is simply a containerization technology used to create, deploy, and run applications.
Are VMware and Docker the same?
Both are different and not the same. VMware is a virtual machine, while Docker is a containerization technology. VMware is designed to emulate machine hardware, whereas Docker is designed to emulate the operating system, allowing you to deploy and run your program.