StarWind Virtual SAN Reviews

Name: StarWind Virtual SAN
Brand: StarWind
Rating: 5 (189 reviews)

Vendor: StarWind

4.8 out of 5

189 reviews
100% willing to recommend

710 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. Based on the analysis of the 189 most recent StarWind Virtual SAN reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 8.1. (The highest in the category). StarWind Virtual SAN is most commonly compared to VMware vSAN: StarWind Virtual SAN vs VMware vSAN. 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 18% of all views.

Helped 814,649 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

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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kasala

Senior Systems Engineer at River Run Computers, Inc.

The level of confidence and support within the StarWind organization is second to none. The simplicity of scaling the StarWind solution has also been a boon for us. In the past, most solutions relied on a per GB or per TB model while StarWind is a simple licensing structure per node. This has enabled us to scale clients' infrastructure as needed without being concerned about running into an artificial ceiling. When StarWind considered a pricing model change we discussed and worked with them to ensure that the solutions and changes prevented did not have a negative impact. They are a true partner.

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reviewer158935

IT Director at Lancaster Baptist Church

We use the service to provide two-node hyper-converged storage to our application servers. We previously did not have any type of high-availability storage, and as you can guess, it was a mess. Getting high-availability storage was one of our first priorities when a new IT team was formed…

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StarWind Virtual SAN mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of StarWind Virtual SAN in the Software Defined Storage (SDS) category stands at 9.1%, up from 7.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Software Defined Storage (SDS)

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 1, 2024

Valuable Features

StarWind Virtual SAN's valuable features include superior support, seamless integration with existing infrastructure, high availability, cost efficiency, and ease of use. It excels in storage replication, fault tolerance, and hardware agnosticism, allowing users to optimize performance without vendor lock-in. The robust high-availability features enhance reliability, enabling ongoing operations even during node failures. Its management console is intuitive, and users appreciate real-time synchronization, scalability, and reduced hardware dependency. StarWind's exceptional technical support and flexibility distinguish it as a leading choice.

"Having support is also very valuable to us as we are a small team."
"Although StarWind Virtual SAN free is fully functional and can be used in production, the support that comes with the license is priceless."
"The most valuable features of StarWind Virtual SAN include its cost-effective repurposing of older hardware, seamless integration with vSphere, and high scalability."

Room for Improvement

StarWind Virtual SAN users suggest improvements in documentation clarity and updates. They request a user-friendly interface and better integration with tools like PowerShell and cloud services. Managed iSCSI connections, automated alerting, and enhancements for Linux and Windows features are desired. Reducing complexity in setup processes and providing clearer instructions, especially for free versions, would enhance usability. Many seek more comprehensive performance monitoring, encryption options, and additional robust features.

"We have found this product to suit our needs."
"While using StarWind Virtual SAN so far, I have not found anything missing."
"Areas for improvement in StarWind Virtual SAN include simplifying the setup process, especially for users with limited vSphere expertise."

ROI

Organizations found significant cost savings, reduced downtime, and easier deployment with StarWind Virtual SAN. High availability and performance on minimal resources were commonly reported. Users frequently noted cost-effectiveness, being hardware-agnostic, and substantial savings compared to traditional SAN setups. Immediate ROI was experienced by many, with the utilization of existing hardware and lower operational costs being critical factors. Technical support from StarWind was praised, enhancing overall satisfaction and reliability.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find StarWind Virtual SAN pricing competitive and cost-effective, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. Users appreciate the straightforward licensing and minimal setup costs, with many noting the solution is cheaper than alternatives. The product offers flexibility in deployment choices without the need for expensive hardware. However, buyers should consider future storage needs as licensing tiers are based on node and storage capacities. Engaging with StarWind early can assure appropriate cost and setup.

"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 utilize StarWind Virtual SAN to establish high-availability environments, specifically for hypervisor clusters like Hyper-V and VMware vSphere. They leverage existing hardware, minimizing costs associated with physical SANs. With StarWind, they achieve uninterrupted failover and data redundancy, enhancing storage capabilities. Many appreciate its ease of deployment and management, finding it user-friendly. StarWind supports critical infrastructure such as business applications, backup solutions, and ensures efficient resource utilization across data centers.

Service and Support

StarWind Virtual SAN customer service and support consistently deliver fast, knowledgeable, and proactive assistance. Their team is prompt, addressing issues swiftly and comprehensively, often resolving matters within hours. Customers commend their technical staff's expertise in handling complex environments while being courteous and patient. Many appreciate their proactive alerts and detailed assistance, even during challenging circumstances like hardware issues, fostering long-term confidence and satisfaction with the StarWind team's professionalism and efficiency.

Deployment

StarWind Virtual SAN's initial setup tends to be straightforward and quick, often completed within hours. Many users found it intuitive, with excellent support and documentation that eased the process. Some mentioned complexity due to network configurations but appreciated StarWind's assistance. Users highlighted the value of support for both free and licensed versions, emphasizing the ease of setup with guidance. Generally, the deployment was efficient, with minimal ongoing maintenance needed.

Scalability

StarWind Virtual SAN excels in scalability, with options for adding nodes and storage without downtime. Many find the platform easy to expand, offering flexibility for growing infrastructure. It efficiently supports a range of environments, handling additional hardware and user demands effortlessly. While it easily scales for small to mid-size setups, it can also adapt to extensive expansions. Licensing options provide further scalability with the potential for significant growth accommodating diverse needs.

Stability

StarWind Virtual SAN exhibits exceptional stability, maintaining seamless operation over extended periods. Users consistently report solid performance even in challenging situations, such as hardware failures and unexpected events. The use of high-availability features ensures reliability without disruption. Most users have not encountered significant errors, attributing any minor issues to external factors rather than StarWind. Overall, the robust design and failover capabilities make StarWind an incredibly reliable platform, consistently meeting high expectations.

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.