Want to cut right to the case? If you are looking for robust, scalable, and advanced features, VMware is the best option. On the other hand, If you run a small scale organization, Proxmox is the best option.
Virtualization management software is software that can be used to control various parts of a virtual machine. It is very essential not only in the tech and manufacturing industry but also in other industries because all organizations require virtual machines, therefore the management and control of these virtual machines are quite important.
They are very important for controlling virtual environments, especially in the case of large data, virtualization management software simplifies the manipulation of virtual machines to configure physical servers and operating systems.
There is numerous virtualization management software in the world today, however, VMware and Proxmox are two of the most commonly used virtualization management software, they are both commonly used because of their high-quality proficiency in virtualization management. Below is an in-depth analysis of VMware and Proxmox.
Main differences between VMware vs Proxmox (Summarized)
Vmware is a virtualization management software for companies that helps organizations create Virtualizations while reducing their workload, while Proxmox is an open-source easily adopted tool for virtualizations. It helps increase efficiency and reduce the workload of IT personnel in organizations.
Here is a table showing the main differences between VMware and Proxmox
| VMware | Proxmox | |
| Free Version | It has a limited trial period of 60 days | It provides a free version to its users |
| Pricing | It has a more expensive subscription plan ranging from $578 to $5596 per year, it offers a 60-day free trial. | It has a more affordable subscription plan ranging from $104 to $975 per year |
| User Interface | VMware provides a more intuitive and beginner-friendly interface through integration with vSphere. | It has a less organized user interface |
| Virtualized server Isolation | It doesn’t provide server isolation services | It is an excellent tool for server isolation. |
| Subscription plans | Its pricing starts at $578 per year | It provides a free plan to users |
| Cost of Implementation | It is expensive and requires lots of additional pricing for advanced features. | It is cost-effective and affordable for small-scale business owners and startups. |
VMware vs Proxmox: Features and capabilities
VMware and Proxmox share different features and capabilities. Below is a list of the various features that they offer;
Features and capabilities of VMware
Below is a detailed list of VMware’s key features and capabilities;
Bare Metal Cloud Infrastructure
The fully configurable and customizable virtual environment on the cloud
High-performance Networking
It has a fast server speed with up to 25Gbps
Cost-free Migration
Easy movement of data from the private environment to the cloud environment
Licensing Support
It allows you to integrate other VM software alongside your windows license
Security
It provides integrations with other highly secure servers with features such as threat protection and data encryption
Integration
It simplifies virtual workflow with the aid of multiple third-party integrations
Features and capabilities of Proxmox
Below is a detailed list of Proxmox ’s key features and capabilities;
Virtualized Server
It provides an open-source server with high levels of security
Power Saving Abilities
It makes use of a kernel-based virtual machine which helps in saving power and time
Container-Based Virtualization
It makes workspace management easier container like servers
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VMware vs Proxmox: Pricing
VMware and Proxmox offer different subscription plans, below are detailed outlines of their subscription details;
VMware pricing system
VMware offers a complex pricing system, the essentials and the standard plan are somewhat limited in comparison to other pricing systems, the essentials plan starts from $510.
Highlighted below are the major plans for VMware
Essentials
$578 per year
Users are entitled to 2 processors and Center Essentials license
Standard
$1268 per year
It offers licensing per processor
Enterprise Plus (requires vCenter)
$4350 per year
It offers licensing per processor
Essentials Plus
$5596 per year
It has two processors and a Center Essentials license
Proxmox Pricing System
Proxmox offers a more affordable pricing system for small-scale business owners and startups, the features are scalable and suitàble for none profit organizations while maximizing functionality and minimizing cost. Below is a detailed outline of Proxmox pricing system
Community
$95 per year
Basic
€295 per year
Standard
€445 per year
Premium
€890 per year
Keynote: Proxmox offers limited and unlimited support tickets based on the subscription plan
Reasons to choose VMware over Proxmox
Below is a list of some of the advantages that VMware has over Proxmox;
- VMware offers robust, scalable, and advanced features
- It can support a large amount of workload.
- It has Kubernetes
- It has an integrated cloud platform
- It has an intuitive UI design
Reasons to choose Proxmox over VMware
Below is a list of some of the advantages Proxmox has over VMware.
- It is an open-source virtualization software
- It provides cloud-based solutions for enterprises
- It is an excellent tool for home servers
- It is suitable for startups and small scale organizations
- It is more affordable for small scale organizations
- It provides support tickets
- It is an excellent tool for isolating servers
Similarities between Proxmox and VMware
Below is an outline of the major similarities between Proxmox and VMware:
- They are both suitable for virtualization
- They both offer cloud-based solutions
- They both provide operating system support to their users
- They provide administrative controls and backups
Proxmox and VMware Alternatives
Below is a list of some of the most notable alternatives to Proxmox and VMware;
- Hyper V- It provides virtual machine backup and duplication
- Axcient – It provides a cost-effective, reliable, and scalable solution for virtual machinery
- Cloudalize – It provides powerful cloud workstations
- Atlantic.Net – It provides cloud server and secure block storage
Proxmox vs VMware: Final Verdicts
Proxmox and VMware help in the efficient management of virtual machines in order to improve workflow and reduce errors and inconsistency in workflows. Before choosing a good virtualization management software it is not advisable to analyze various software and compare them in order to choose the optimal software for your corporation.
For ease of use and an intuitive, well-organized interface, with no complexities, VMware is the better option. However, Proxmox offers a scalable virtualization management solution with affordable pricing and functionality for startups and small-scale organizations. While VMware works well with large server data, they both have excellent management tools for virtual machines.
FAQ
Is Proxmox better than VMware
Although VMware has more advanced features than Proxmox, Procmox also offers optimal and scalable features for start-ups, which allows beginners to concentrate on the readily available tools and maximize them to their full potential. Proxmox performs remotely well compared to other virtual management software
Can Proxmox run in VMware
VMware workstations can run on Proxmox however running Proxmox on VMware requires a high level of sophistication
Is Proxmox still free
Proxmox provides its users with a free open source version with no limitations, the free version offers the same features as paid subscriptions, however, the Enterprise plan features have a higher level of sophistication and a greater capability compared to VMware.