VMware ESXi Reviews

Name: VMware ESXi
Brand: VMware
Rating: 4.2 (28 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

28 reviews
96% willing to recommend

What is VMware ESXi?

VMware ESXi serves as a hypervisor enabling virtualization by transforming physical servers into virtual infrastructures, supporting efficient server management, development, and production environments.

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VMware ESXi is the #8 ranked solution in best Server Virtualization Software. PeerSpot users give VMware ESXi an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 28 most recent VMware ESXi reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.1. VMware ESXi is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: VMware ESXi vs Proxmox VE.

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Featured reviews

Syed Shahid Hasan

Senior Manager- II | Unit Head - Technolgy Infra (Global) at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Most people do not know why VMware is more stable than Hyper-V. Our clients use Webex after version 6.5. Before, we installed VMware Client and connected to the vCenter server. The vCenter server was connected to the vCenter host. There were a lot of version and service issues with vCenter. Things have been better after we installed Webex. The cost is very important. We have to buy the latest hardware and licenses. The license is very costly. The vendor might discontinue the perpetual license. The tool will become more costly. Customers will leave VMware and choose Hyper-V. The vendor must rethink the price. We can learn to use the solution through YouTube videos. Beginners can use the tool, but we must learn and better know the product. It is a very good product. Overall, I rate the tool an eight out of ten.

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John Ilozor

Business Development Executive at Digital Alliance Limited

Once you have gone through the training, the solution's initial setup is very easy. The deployment takes approximately three to four days. The solution's deployment time depends on the number of virtual machines created and the physical infrastructure. It's a straightforward process. Before you deploy the solution, you need to analyze the risks involved and how to mitigate them if you encounter any during the course of deployment. You need to do a proper assessment of the environment and customer requirements to ensure that whatever you are deploying will address such requirements. You should also create room for upgrades. Suppose a customer needs additional capacity because they have acquired a new application that needs more resources. If you don't increase room, you will have to acquire new hardware to add on or do an upgrade immediately. Everything should be planned for the next three years' utilization. If you do it properly, everything will work out perfectly.

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Syed Ali Waqas

Head IT at Burraq Cyber Security Solutions

Our primary use case for VMware ESXi is hosting VMs in a live environment, benefiting from its networking integration and efficient VM migration. However, improvements in scalability features and the addition of a mobile app for remote access would be advantageous.

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Valuable Features

VMware ESXi offers monetary savings through server consolidation, high reliability, and easy installation. Its features include vMotion, high availability, disaster recovery, and resource scheduling. The web interface supports easy management and third-party applications. Users appreciate its fast operation, integration, and server management capabilities. ESXi's ability to optimize resource usage through features like memory compression and hyper-threading is beneficial. It's favored for virtualization, providing efficient resource allocation and seamless backups without affecting uptime.

"ESXi is stable, and our business operations depend on it year after year."
"The most valuable features are the integration with networking and virtual network switches."
"I rate the stability of the solution as either nine or ten out of ten."

Room for Improvement

VMware ESXi has numerous areas for improvement including its high pricing and complex licensing model which have become concerns following Broadcom's acquisition. Users express dissatisfaction with the licensing changes and suggest enhanced server management features. There are also requests for simplified setup processes and troubleshooting, faster support response, improved patching, and a more intuitive user interface. Many advocate for easier password recovery and more efficient scalability options, while some suggest a mobile application for remote server access.

"We often face issues with ESXi that require us to change resources by shutting down the VMs."
"We often face issues with ESXi that require us to change resources by shutting down the VMs."
"The software could be more user-friendly, allowing customers to easily find the resources and features they need."

ROI

VMware ESXi enables cost savings by reducing infrastructure needs and simplifying management tasks, thereby decreasing procurement times and manual efforts seen with alternatives like Hyper-V. While some find it efficient, rising costs have been noted. Users mention savings in time management, yet others are contemplating different options for better financial efficiency. Efficiency improvements are acknowledged, but expenses have been comparable to previous multi-year costs now spanning just a single year.

Pricing

VMware ESXi is considered a costly solution, with initial acquisition costs ranging between $20,000 to $30,000 depending on server clustering. Since Broadcom's acquisition, price adjustments and the discontinuation of perpetual licenses have increased costs, making it expensive for enterprises, particularly in developing regions. While pricing structures have become more complex, tailored licensing can mitigate expenses. Pricing generally ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 annually, commonly rated high on expense scales.

"The pricing is expensive, with the cost for customers ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 yearly."
"VMware ESXi is a costly solution in Africa and other developing countries."
"Broadcom recently purchased VMware, and the pricing scheme has changed. If I need any more features in the tool, I can actually purchase them."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use VMware ESXi for server virtualization, optimizing hardware resources by consolidating physical servers into virtual machines. It hosts diverse applications, aids in data center operations, and supports private and public sectors. VMware ESXi enhances IT infrastructure, allowing multiple operating systems on single servers, offering stability compared to alternatives, and serving as a foundational hypervisor platform. It assists in development workflows, resource allocation, backup, high availability, and virtual infrastructure management.

Service and Support

VMware ESXi’s customer service receives mixed responses. Many call the support effective, praising its quick issue resolution and skilled team, rating it highly. However, concerns about delays, especially for initial-level assistance post-Broadcom acquisition, are noted. Some users depend more on vendor support and face increased ticket acknowledgment times. Still, others rarely need help, indicating ESXi’s reliability. The shift from VMware to Broadcom has impacted support quality, resulting in lower satisfaction for some.

Deployment

VMware ESXi's initial setup is frequently described as straightforward and manageable. It typically takes from 30 minutes to a week, depending on the complexity of requirements and environment. Many emphasize the simplicity with adequate documentation and vendor support available. Some highlight the setup becoming easier with experience, noting that any complexity is mainly due to customization needs. Security teams often collaborate to ensure proper integration, and planning for future capacity is recommended. Maintenance is considered relatively easy.

Scalability

VMware ESXi is praised for its high scalability, making it suitable for various businesses from small to enterprise-level. Users rate its scalability between seven to ten out of ten, often highlighting its vertical scalability benefits. Challenges include flexibility concerns in horizontal scalability and licensing. Users appreciate the ease of adding servers and managing virtual machines, with large organizations effectively handling thousands of users without major scalability issues.

Stability

VMware ESXi exhibits high stability, with ratings generally between eight to ten out of ten. Users report smooth operations and minimal issues, making it a favorite due to regular maintenance. While a few experience downtime, they still consider it reliable for their needs. Some note a decrease in stability but recognize improvements after patches, maintaining positive experiences with the environment. Most users express confidence in its capability to support their operations without major disruptions.

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

Download our VMware ESXi Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

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Learn more about VMware ESXi

Organizations utilize VMware ESXi for its high availability and ability to host diverse workloads effectively. Known for stability and maturity, it efficiently handles server, networking, and storage demands, with integral features like vMotion and memory compression. ESXi integrates well with data center operations, allowing seamless resource allocation and virtual machine migration. Despite impressive capabilities, users encounter challenges with setup complexity, licensing costs, and technical support delays, leading some to explore different solutions.

What are the main features of VMware ESXi?

High Availability: Ensures continuous operation of virtual machines.
vMotion Capabilities: Facilitates easy virtual machine migration.
Clustering: Enhances resource management and efficiency.
Server Management: Offers efficient management with third-party integration.
Resource Optimization: Utilizes memory compression technologies.

What benefits and ROI do organizations see with VMware ESXi?

Cost Savings: Reduces expenses by consolidating servers.
User-friendliness: Offers a stable and manageable interface.
Multi-OS Support: Enables running Linux and Windows environments.
High Performance: Recognized for speed and efficiency.

Industries deploying VMware ESXi benefit in sectors requiring robust IT infrastructure, including finance, healthcare, and education. Its capability to support high availability and diverse workloads proves essential for critical applications, enhancing productivity and agility in dynamic environments.