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VMware vCenter Reviews

Vendor: VMware
4.3 out of 5
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What is VMware vCenter?

Get the VMware vCenter Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about VMware vCenter, Microsoft Configuration Manager and more!
VMware vCenter is the #5 ranked solution in top Server Monitoring solutions. PeerSpot users give VMware vCenter an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. VMware vCenter is most commonly compared to Microsoft Configuration Manager: VMware vCenter vs Microsoft Configuration Manager.
Buyer's Guide
VMware vCenter
January 2025
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Helped 832,138 peers since 2012

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VMware vCenter mindshare

As of February 2025, the mindshare of VMware vCenter in the Server Monitoring category stands at 0.5%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
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PeerAnalyst reports

TypeTitleDate
CategoryServer MonitoringFeb 1, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersFeb 1, 2025Download
ComparisonVMware vCenter vs ZabbixFeb 1, 2025Download
ComparisonVMware vCenter vs ServiceNow DiscoveryFeb 1, 2025Download
ComparisonVMware vCenter vs Microsoft Configuration ManagerFeb 1, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Microsoft Configuration Manager4.16.8%90%81 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

VMware vCenter offers centralized management, high availability, and scalability. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface, seamless VM migration, robust monitoring tools, efficient resource management, and virtual machine cloning and snapshot capabilities. It facilitates cluster management, integration with technologies like NSX T and vSAN, and simplifies networking. Its automation and lifecycle management streamline operations, while virtualization capabilities reduce physical server dependence. Highly valued for enhancing performance and minimizing downtime during maintenance using features like DRS and vMotion.
  • "In vCenter, I can easily manage storage and move it from one server to another, which is beneficial for the environment."
  • "I am using vMotion for live migration and storage migrations. I can use vCenter for both now."
  • "I usually use the DRS, distributed resource scheduling, to balance resources between mini ESXi and CPU."

Room for Improvement

VMware vCenter needs cost-effective pricing, simplified licensing, and improved management functionalities. Users seek enhanced dashboard features, streamlined storage and network management, and improved fault tolerance. Hybrid cloud capabilities and consolidation of scattered plugins are desired. Concerns arise from Broadcom's acquisition, causing uncertainty in licensing models. Interface complexity and lack of centralized security pose challenges. Users also require better technical support, scalable infrastructure, and seamless integration with cloud environments for improved operational efficiency.
  • "The stability could be better."
  • "Efficiency and redundancy can be increased, minimizing or mitigating downtime."
  • "The protocol interface or web page is not easy to use, and the personal portal is difficult to navigate."

ROI

VMware vCenter provides a favorable ROI, demonstrated by its long-term cost-effectiveness. By reducing labor costs through streamlined management, saving hardware investment, administrative overhead, and allowing significant energy savings, it enhances business efficiency. Deployment offers scalability, remote work support, and improved data recovery and business continuity. Cost savings and increased flexibility occur by consolidating multiple hosts, which greatly benefits businesses’ operational efficiency. Enhanced security features also contribute to its improved ROI compared to traditional setups.

Pricing

VMware vCenter is generally considered expensive, with costs varying based on licensing models and additional features. Users pay for monthly or annual licenses, with costs often bundled with support. The transition to a subscription model post-Broadcom acquisition may increase expenses due to ongoing payments. While some find the platform reasonable or affordable for large companies, smaller enterprises may struggle. Hidden costs can arise with specific features like distributed switches. Understanding the licensing structure is crucial to avoid unexpected expenses.
  • "VMware vCenter is not expensive."
  • "We have purchased monthly licenses for the platform. There are additional costs involved."
  • "On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten."

Popular Use Cases

VMware vCenter is primarily used for centralized management of virtual environments. Organizations utilize it for administering and monitoring virtual machines, managing ESXi hosts, deploying and configuring VMs, managing performance and capacity, and facilitating virtualization in IT and cloud environments. Features like high availability, Distributed Resource Scheduler, vMotion, and user-based policy management enhance its utility. It's crucial for data center operations, supporting tasks such as backup, resource allocation, and infrastructure management.

Service and Support

VMware's customer support has seen a decline over the past few years, with many users highlighting slow responses and inadequate resolutions. Customers repeatedly experience delays when issues are escalated. However, some praise the technical team's expertise and promptness in addressing queries. There is mention of good GUI support but limited assistance in command-line scenarios. While some report fast, efficient service, others note that premium licensing is required for better support.

Deployment

VMware vCenter's initial setup is typically straightforward and easy, especially for those with the necessary skills. It can be completed quickly, often in less than an hour, though complex environments may require additional time. Skills and planning are crucial for seamless deployment, and support teams are responsive. While easy for basic installations, advanced features and integrations may pose challenges, especially without proper documentation. Simpler configurations have improved the process significantly compared to earlier versions.

Scalability

VMware vCenter is regarded as highly scalable, suitable for various business sizes. Users appreciate its ability to manage extensive infrastructures and support numerous clusters and hosts. Features like cluster scaling and resiliency are praised. Continuous use by diverse enterprises demonstrates its flexibility in scaling environments. Overall, it garners favorable ratings for scalability, with potential enhancements through automation. There is acknowledgment of its improvement since initial challenges in the early years.

Stability

VMware vCenter is rated highly for stability, with ratings often between eight to ten out of ten. Users note it provides reliable performance, even during host failures, ensuring minimal downtime. While vCenter's unavailability can occasionally occur, it rarely impacts overall cloud infrastructure functionality. Common feedback includes its robustness, maturity, compatibility with various vendors, and extensive user community. Some log file issues and minor technical challenges are mentioned, but stability remains largely commendable.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our VMware vCenter Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

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Learn more about VMware vCenter

VMware vCenter is essential for managing virtual machines, deploying systems for customers, and centralizing ESXi servers' management. It aids in monitoring hosts, handling backups, recovering data, and virtualizing compute resources.

Organizations leverage VMware vCenter to oversee virtual infrastructure, automate administrative tasks, and provide self-service portals. It simplifies the management of IT environments by offering features like host profiles, high availability, and cluster configuration. Other notable features include scalability, resource management, performance monitoring, cloning, snapshots, DRS, LACP, and lifecycle management. VMware vCenter ensures continuous system availability, benefiting sectors like healthcare through efficient server management and process automation. The platform's alerting mechanisms, backup and restore functionalities, and elastic resource allocation enhance operational efficiency.

What are the key features of VMware vCenter?
  • Host Profiles: Simplifies and standardizes host configurations.
  • High Availability: Ensures system uptime and reliability.
  • Centralized Management: Allows comprehensive control over multiple ESXi servers.
  • Scalability: Adapts to growing infrastructure needs.
  • Performance Monitoring: Assesses and optimizes virtual machine performance.
  • Cloning & Snapshots: Facilitates quick deployment and recovery.
  • DRS: Distributes resources efficiently across the cluster.
  • LACP: Enhances network performance and reliability.
  • Lifecycle Management: Manages software updates and hardware lifecycles effectively.
What benefits and ROI can users expect?
  • Operational Efficiency: Automates routine tasks and improves resource management.
  • System Availability: Minimizes downtime and ensures continuous operations.
  • Cost Management: Optimizes resource usage and reduces operational costs.
  • Scalability: Grows with the company's infrastructure needs.
  • Enhanced Performance: Monitors and optimizes virtual machine performance.

Healthcare organizations use VMware vCenter to ensure uninterrupted access to critical applications and patient data. It helps manage large volumes of virtual servers, providing necessary performance and reliability. This platform's automation and monitoring capabilities are crucial for maintaining efficient IT operations and supporting healthcare needs.

VMware vCenter customers

1. Amazon 2. Apple 3. ATT 4. Bank of America 5. Cisco Systems 6. CocaCola 7. Dell 8. ebay 9. Facebook 10. Google 11. HP 12. IBM 13. Intel 14. JPMorgan Chase 15. LinkedIn 16. Microsoft 17. Netflix 18. Oracle 19. PayPal 20. SAP 21. Siemens 22. Tesla 23. Toyota 24. Twitter 25. Visa 26. Walmart 27. WeWork 28. World Bank

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