VMware vs KVM: Which Is Better For You? (2024 Comparison)

Have you ever needed to run a huge workload with multiple operating systems? Businesses ranging from large-scale to freelance sometimes have so much to do that it becomes impossible for their little old server to handle. That is where VMs come into play, and two of the top options for these nifty tools are VMware and KVM.

VMWare is a company, founded in 1998 and based in Cali, that provides virtualization and cloud computing software to its clients. KVM stands for “Kernel-based Virtual Machine” which is provided as a part of Linux, launched in 2007. They provide similar uses, but in very different ways. In this article, we’re going to take a close look into each of these items and get a solid idea of which is the right choice for you!

VMware vs KVM: Main Differences (50)

The most obvious difference between VMWare and KVM is the fact that VMWare is a company with a branded product and KVM is a free software provided by Linux.

A side-by-side look at what reviewers are saying, according to rippleweb.com:

	VMWare	KVM
Open source code	No	Yes
Complexity	Much more complex, due to the size of its code and the use of hardware extensions	Less complex because it’s meant to be a lightweight driver
Scalability	More complicated because it has far more storage options	Much better due to being less complicated
Functionality Support	“Unmatched” in the realm of hypervisors	Has more options for network support

VMware vs KVM: Features & Capabilities (300)

VMWare and KVM have many of the same features/capabilities, from being top-notch virtualization software products to having great security features to being scalable for your business. There are definitely some differences, though, which we will explore below.

VMWare Features:

Offers multiple varieties of products to fit your needs: like…a ton
Provides networking and security management tools, data center software, etc.
Offers applications for desktops and servers, to be used across various platforms
Ideal for enterprise systems
Server appliance migration

KVM Features

Low cost of ownership
No vendor lock-in: no paying for things you aren’t actually using
Cross-platform interoperability: works in Linux and Windows
Superfast performance
Open source code: better for accessing the code for bug fixes, etc.
Existing Linux features: security, memory management, process scheduler, etc.

>>More: VMware Vs. Hyper-V: Which Is Better For You | VMware vs Parallels: Which Is Best For You | VMware vs VirtualBox: Which Is Best For You |

VMware vs KVM: Pricing (100)

VMWare, from what I have been able to gather, runs on a rate-based pricing policy/a licensing fee. These costs are pretty high, from all reports, and all of the important features require you to have those licenses.

KVM is a free software that can be found in the Linux package. It is considered overall highly cost-effective.

I was not able to gather exact numbers on either, unfortunately, as they are so based on use and quantity.

Why to Choose VMware over KVM? (100)

VMWare was the first company to provide this type of virtualization software and is still the market leader, so if you are looking for the most experienced provider, this is probably your best bet for a VM. They provide both permissions and user management, as well as host security and guest security. Feeling safe in your virtual workspace is always a great feeling, as is feeling well taken care of by your provider. VMWare also has one of the top-rated customer services teams. If all of this tickles your fancy, then VMWare is the right move for you.

Why to Choose KVM over VMware? (100)

Well, “free” is a compelling reason to choose KVM. If you have Linux, you have KVM as a part of that package. Linux users are far more likely to use KVM than any other VM. KVM also has better options for network support, which is great for users and is much easier to distribute. If you are interested more in being cost-effective and aren’t worried about having higher-end, business-level features, KVM will be a great option for you.

Similarities Between VMware & KVM (50)

There are plenty of similarities between VMWare and KVM, making them both highly rated. Both VMWare and KVM provide solid virtualization software, with both being very mature and stable in their products. Both of these are also considered Type 1 hypervisors. KVM and VMWare both have top-tier security protocols and have been fan favorites since the mid-2000s.

VMware & KVM Alternatives (100)

If neither of these feels like the best choice for you, fear not. There are other options you can explore!

Alternatives for either:

Oracle VM Server
Citrix XenServer
Proxmox VE
Azure Virtual Machines

Alternatives for VMWare:

Linux KVM
Red Hat Virtualization (Surprise…this is actually KVM in disguise!)

Alternatives for KVM:

VMWare vSphere
VMWare ESXi
Xen Project

VMware vs KVM: Final Verdict (100)

As a start, neither of these products has a very user-friendly direct website, in this humble techno-newbie’s opinion. They are a little confusing to navigate and it’s hard to find general information. That being said, there is a clear favorite according to the sites I looked into: KVM. This is largely due to the fact that is cost-effective and more flexible.

As with all software, it truly depends on what your needs are. VMWare has a more established background and is considered “top tier” in the field, but KVM is better priced and works across more platforms. Be sure to map out what you need from your VM software and make wise choices!

FAQs (200)

What is a VM?

A VM is a Virtual Machine, which allows your system to basically run a whole other system as if it were an app instead of using a separate computer.

What is a hypervisor?

A hypervisor is a system that creates, executes, and manages VMs.

What does kernel-based mean?

Kernels are the essential core of an OS, so a kernel-based VM like KVM is based deeeeeep in the system.

Can I do a trial of VMWare?

Yes, they do offer a 30-day free trial.

Can my PC run these?

Yes, both are operable on PCs.

Do these products offer full virtualization?

Yes, yes they do.

Sources

https://www.vmware.com/
https://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Main_Page
https://www.techtarget.com/searchvmware/definition/VMware
https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-KVM
https://www.rippleweb.com/vmware-vs-kvm/#:~:text=VMware%20is%20the%20name%20of,the%20capabilities%20of%20a%20hypervisor.
https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/virtualization/kvm-vs-vmware-comparison
https://www.peerspot.com/products/comparisons/kvm_vs_vmware-vsphere