StarWind Virtual SAN Reviews

Name: StarWind Virtual SAN
Brand: StarWind
Rating: 4.8 (191 reviews)

Vendor: StarWind

4.8 out of 5

191 reviews
100% willing to recommend

718 followers

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What is StarWind Virtual SAN?

StarWind Virtual SAN provides high availability and fault tolerance for virtualized environments without the need for dedicated SAN hardware. It allows for real-time replication between servers, shared storage for Hyper-V clusters, and enables vMotion and High Availability features for VMware vSphere. The solution reduces costs and leverages existing hardware while providing a scalable and reliable infrastructure. Valuable features include ease of use, scalability, top-tier support, hardware agnosticism, and the ability to use off-the-shelf standard servers to increase storage space. StarWind VSAN has helped organizations improve performance, data availability, and data security while reducing downtime and providing cost-saving storage options.

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StarWind Virtual SAN is the #1 ranked solution in top Software Defined Storage (SDS) solutions and #4 ranked solution in HCI Software. PeerSpot users give StarWind Virtual SAN an average rating of 9.6 out of 10. StarWind Virtual SAN is most commonly compared to Red Hat Ceph Storage: StarWind Virtual SAN vs Red Hat Ceph Storage. StarWind Virtual SAN is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 58% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Helped 842,767 peers since 2012

Featured StarWind Virtual SAN reviews

WJHG

Soporte IT at Sildan Security

Although I am generally satisfied with VSAN and its performance, there are some areas that could be improved to enhance its effectiveness even further. One area that could benefit from improvement is scalability. While the tool works well in its current configuration, allowing for greater ease and flexibility in adding new nodes to the cluster without complications would be very beneficial, especially in growing environments. Additionally, I would like to see additional features in the next version, such as better support for automated resource management. This could include proactive suggestions for optimizing storage and memory usage, as well as preventive alerts about the health status of the servers. A more intuitive interface or an improved dashboard for monitoring the cluster would also be helpful, as it would facilitate performance tracking and help identify potential issues before they affect services.

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MIT

IT System Administrator at Ludwig Meyer GmbH & Co. KG

Feature-wise we are only waiting for the release of a "planned disaster" feature that would allow us to patch a hypervisor node without having to take the full storage offline. ATM (20220609) is still necessary, since taking a node offline without properly activating the maintenance mode on the vSAN would trigger a full sync of the vSAN nodes. This is fine and a good thing since it ensures data integrity. However, there is something in the making that would ensure integrity without a full sync after a node goes down, which, as stated above, one could "abuse" to patch (and boot = take down) the hypervisors during business hours 😁 Other than that, the thing is rock stable and chugging along without issues. We are an SMB so we "only" have around 50 VMs on our FO cluster, which is a medium load for SSDs. If you plan to go more to the "max" side of performance use, do proper testing!

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Ahmed Hosni

Senior System Engineer at Giza Systems

You can maintain and update it with little to no fuss, even the free version is incredibly capable whilst it brings the cost of a Highly Available HCI solution down to a very cost-effective point. Having used Starwind Virtual SAN for many years both for clients and for internal systems, it has always done exactly what it set out to do. It provides a cost-effective way to run an HCI storage platform for almost any hypervisor, but it is most effective with Hyper-V. It's simple and easy to use, The software monitoring should be web-based to be reachable from any VLAN workstation.

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StarWind Virtual SAN mindshare

Product category:

As of April 2025, the mindshare of StarWind Virtual SAN in the Software Defined Storage (SDS) category stands at 8.1%, down from 8.9% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Software Defined Storage (SDS)

PeerAnalyst reports based on StarWind Virtual SAN reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Software Defined Storage (SDS)	Apr 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Apr 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	StarWind Virtual SAN vs Red Hat Ceph Storage	Apr 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	StarWind Virtual SAN vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)	Apr 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	StarWind Virtual SAN vs Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS)	Apr 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Red Hat Ceph Storage	4.1	20.6%	81%	25 interviews Add to research
Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)	4.3	5.8%	94%	197 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Key features of StarWind Virtual SAN include high availability and fault tolerance, easy installation and integration, robust support, cost efficiency, and scalability. Users highlight its seamless Microsoft clustering integration, performance, flexibility, and user-friendly management interface. The ability to use existing hardware and compatibility with Microsoft and VMware environments are praised. Real-time synchronization, redundancy, and eliminating the need for third-party storage systems are valued. Fast, reliable storage replication and minimal hardware requirements further enhance the experience.

"The best features are the software's ease of setup and the excellent technical support."
"The feature I have found most valuable in VSAN is its high availability capability."
"The feature I have found most valuable in VSAN is its high availability capability."

Room for Improvement

StarWind Virtual SAN needs more detailed and updated documentation, streamlined configuration processes, and enhanced support for diverse environments. Integration with cloud services and expanded automation capabilities would benefit users. Performance and security enhancements, such as improved data encryption and intuitive interfaces, are desirable. Expanding support for various hypervisors and providing better monitoring and alert tools are areas for improvement. Users also express interest in user-friendly management consoles and comprehensive educational resources.

"More comprehensive reporting and educational resources for error resolution would enhance the user experience."
"Scalability should be further improved, especially considering the possibility that environments may grow exponentially."
"While the tool works well in its current configuration, allowing for greater ease and flexibility in adding new nodes to the cluster without complications would be very beneficial, especially in growing environments."

ROI

StarWind Virtual SAN impressed with its cost-effectiveness. Users highlighted significant savings through reduced downtime and maintenance expenses. Many saw ROI swiftly, often within months, by eliminating hardware dependency and leveraging existing infrastructure. The setup provided high availability and enhanced performance without added hardware costs. Support satisfaction was reported high, assisting in technical challenges and enhancing operational efficiency. Overall, organizations found it financially beneficial, often achieving ROI quickly while enjoying improved system functionality.

Pricing

StarWind Virtual SAN offers competitive pricing with a straightforward licensing model, appealing to organizations with budget constraints. Users highlight its cost-effectiveness, notably when compared to other solutions. The pricing is based on nodes rather than terabytes, allowing flexibility in storage expansion. Initial setup costs are low, complemented by efficient support, encouraging users to evaluate their needs and utilize StarWind's guidance. Many recommend testing the free version before committing to paid licenses.

"For two nodes, it cost us $10,000, and we spend $2,000 a year on support."
"We found that the pricing was perfect; simple and clear."
"This solution is very accessible and the pro-level for support is well worth the cost."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use StarWind Virtual SAN for establishing storage solutions in Hyper-V clusters, offering high availability, redundancy, and failover capabilities. It transforms existing infrastructure into efficient virtual storage, supporting both enterprise-level operations and smaller environments. Many find it attractive due to its cost-effectiveness, simple deployment, and robust performance, often eliminating the need for dedicated SAN hardware. Its flexibility enables seamless integration with various virtualization platforms for mission-critical applications.

Service and Support

StarWind Virtual SAN's customer service and support are widely praised for professionalism, quick response times, and extensive knowledge in Microsoft systems and networking architecture. Their support team is proactive, highly skilled, and consistently follows through on resolving issues even during crises. Customers appreciate the availability, detailed documentation, and personalized assistance provided by support engineers. Users report feeling valued, with prompt service and thorough guidance, ensuring smooth operations and peace of mind.

Deployment

StarWind Virtual SAN's initial setup is mostly straightforward with comprehensive documentation and responsive support, making it user-friendly for many. Some users find it complex initially but benefit from support assistance. The setup process is intuitive with minimal technical knowledge required. The involvement of StarWind's team in guiding through configurations simplifies the setup for users, particularly in networking and cluster configurations. Many find it efficient to get the system operational quickly.

Scalability

StarWind Virtual SAN is highly scalable and adaptable, accommodating various needs by adding nodes or storage easily. Users find it intuitive to expand their infrastructure without extensive reconfiguration or downtime. It performs well across different setups and environments, allowing organizations to efficiently grow their storage alongside their business needs. With minimal limitations, it remains versatile for IT infrastructures both small and large, providing seamless growth and flexibility in handling expanding workloads and storage demands.

Stability

Users find StarWind Virtual SAN incredibly stable, with no significant issues reported over multiple years. Any minor problems were attributed to external factors like hardware or power issues. StarWind consistently performs reliably, even during hardware failures or updates. Many highlight the system's resilience, redundancy, and fault tolerance. Implementing StarWind has led to minimal downtime and stable performance, ensuring business operations run smoothly. Most users express confidence in its stable architecture.

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

Download our StarWind Virtual SAN Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.