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Citrix XenServer vs IBM PowerVM comparison

Citrix and IBM are both solutions in the Server Virtualization Software category. Citrix is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.0, while IBM is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5. Citrix holds a 5.3% mindshare in SVS, compared to IBM’s 1.3% mindshare. Additionally, 81% of Citrix users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of IBM users who would recommend it.
Citrix XenServer
Read 48 Citrix XenServer reviews
  • 8,827 Views
  • 6,211 Comparison Views
81% willing to recommend
IBM PowerVM
Read 35 IBM PowerVM reviews
  • 2,071 Views
  • 1,767 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 6, 2024

IBM PowerVM and Citrix XenServer compete in the virtualization category. PowerVM seems to have the upper hand due to its advanced features like Live Partition Mobility and its strong reputation for stability and security.

Features: IBM PowerVM offers advanced capabilities such as Active Memory Sharing, Live Partition Mobility, and high security to efficiently manage resources and ensure compliance. Citrix XenServer, on the other hand, boasts ease of setup, management with Windows-based applications, and real-time performance monitoring, accommodating Windows and Linux OS compatibility.

Room for Improvement: IBM PowerVM is often criticized for its high cost and limited OS compatibility, which restricts it to IBM-approved systems. Users also call for improved cloud integration and a more user-friendly interface. Citrix XenServer needs better management tools, enhanced Linux support, and integration with third-party solutions. The free version's limitations often push users towards its paid support for full functionality.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM PowerVM is known for its effective technical support, characterized by responsive assistance, though some suggest improvements in complex cases. Citrix XenServer offers easy deployment, backed by average customer service and adequate technical support, which benefits from a broad user community.

Pricing and ROI: IBM PowerVM is priced at a premium, but users find its comprehensive licensing and reliability worth the investment, although cost remains a concern. Citrix XenServer's free edition is appreciated for its cost-effectiveness with available paid options. Despite significant cost savings compared to VMware, high licensing costs can deter budget-conscious buyers.

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Buyer's Guide
Citrix XenServer vs. IBM PowerVM
January 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
7.9
Citrix XenServer offered significant ROI with user satisfaction, virtualization benefits, and cost savings despite significant initial expenses.
Sentiment score
7.8
IBM PowerVM enhances ROI by reducing Oracle licensing costs, offering scalability, reliability, and ease of administration for large databases.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix XenServer report
The return on investment is substantial, though other platforms may offer a better ROI, primarily due to lower costs involved in setup and maintenance.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
5.5
Citrix XenServer's support is inconsistent, with mixed reviews on response times and effectiveness, benefiting from paid options.
Sentiment score
7.3
IBM PowerVM support is reliable and knowledgeable, but improvements are needed in hardware support without subscription, despite overall satisfaction.
They do not provide adequate support for midsize businesses.
For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix XenServer report
IBM provides strong support.
IBM offers excellent customer support.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
Filip Fronczak - PeerSpot reviewer
MB
AS
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.0
Citrix XenServer excels in scalable deployments, effective for varying business sizes, but needs more features, especially in storage.
Sentiment score
8.0
IBM PowerVM offers exceptional scalability, handling large deployments, flexible adjustments, and high performance, though some users find it costly.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix XenServer report
An IBM server can handle up to sixty-four terabytes of RAM.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
Citrix XenServer is a reliable, stable system with minimal issues, appreciated for uptime and dependability despite minor glitches.
Sentiment score
8.4
IBM PowerVM is highly stable and reliable, offering strong security and performance, making it ideal for high-performance workloads.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix XenServer report
The stability of IBM PowerVM is exceptional, as industry reports have named IBM Power and Z as the most stable platforms globally for 15 consecutive years.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
 

Room For Improvement

Citrix XenServer needs improved backup, flexibility, and support, addressing concerns over cost, interface, Linux support, and community assistance.
IBM PowerVM needs better management tools, UI enhancements, cost reduction, improved cloud integration, and broader OS compatibility.
Although the product is technically competitive, it is not widely known or used due to poor marketing.
For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix XenServer report
We have a strong relationship with IBM, which aids decision-making in transitioning clients from mainframe to other platforms.
PowerVM should integrate some capabilities of VMware vCenter to improve its management features.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
Filip Fronczak - PeerSpot reviewer
MB
AS
 

Setup Cost

Citrix XenServer offers free and paid versions; customers find it cost-effective but note licensing can be confusing.
IBM PowerVM pricing is high and varies by project, offering reliability but requiring negotiation due to hardware and support costs.
The pricing and licensing policy of Citrix XenServer is not transparent and quite confusing.
For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix XenServer report
Pricing is a concern in Argentina due to the higher cost of mainframe solutions.
PowerVM itself is free with the purchase of an IBM server.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
Filip Fronczak - PeerSpot reviewer
MB
AS
 

Valuable Features

Citrix XenServer provides cost-effective, high-performance virtualization with seamless integration, intuitive management, and robust features enhancing user satisfaction.
IBM PowerVM offers stability, flexibility, and security with resource allocation, reduced costs, seamless migration, and robust performance control features.
It provides secure access to applications and resources, which is crucial for us and our clients.
For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix XenServer report
It supports specific workloads, like Oracle and SAP HANA, much better due to its shared processor pool feature which reduces licensing costs.
PowerVM excels in efficiently managing all systems and environments, including development, UI, and production.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
Filip Fronczak - PeerSpot reviewer
AS
MB
 

Categories and Ranking

Citrix XenServer
Ranking in Server Virtualization Software
11th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
IBM PowerVM
Ranking in Server Virtualization Software
10th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
35
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2025, in the Server Virtualization Software category, the mindshare of Citrix XenServer is 5.3%, up from 3.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM PowerVM is 1.3%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Server Virtualization Software
 

Featured Reviews

Siva Kuppala - PeerSpot reviewer
Allows us to allocate CPU, memory, storage, and network resources across VMs and minimizes downtime in case of hardware failure or maintenance
It is a scalable product and provides great benefits for virtualization needs. However, there are a few considerations: * Cost: Citrix Hypervisor can be fairly expensive. * Complexity: There's a learning curve, especially for those coming from a Microsoft background. Setting it up and managing it can introduce some complexity. * Hardware Support: Not all major hardware vendors fully support Citrix Hypervisor. * Third-party Integration: Integrating Hypervisor with other technologies within a large ecosystem can sometimes be challenging. * Community Support: Compared to solutions like Microsoft Hyper-V, the community support for Citrix Hypervisor is somewhat less extensive. It is not vast. If there are any issues or errors, the community support is not that good. Those are definitely important disadvantages.
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Atif Najam - PeerSpot reviewer
A stable system for high-end data processing with a great support structure
The only problem with the IBM system is improving its hardware licensing model. For example, when you procure a server with 40 physical codes, you must also procure licenses to activate the codes. In Dell or any system, you procure the hardware and have the full right to use the hardware. For IBM, it's different because when you procure a 40-code processor and have 40 physical codes, you only have a license to use 20. As a result, the 20 alert codes will always be in activated mode. Hence, the hardware licensing model could be improved because the licensing model is a bit different from the standard hardware procured.
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Comparison Review

VL
Jan 13, 2015
vSphere vs. RHEV vs. Hyper-V vs. XenServer
We have used the following functions: 1. Hypervisor: to ensure that the virtual server provide web and email services to the company, thus providing a stable operation a with single sign-on integration of an AD server and vCenter. 2. Network and Storage: centralized data server…
Read full review
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
54%
Computer Software Company
7%
Financial Services Firm
4%
Manufacturing Company
4%
Computer Software Company
20%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Citrix Hypervisor?
The core function enables multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server. This maximizes hardware utilization and efficiency.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix Hypervisor?
The pricing and licensing policy of Citrix XenServer is not transparent and quite confusing. The sales channel has deteriorated over the years and sales margins have dropped significantly, making i...
See all answers
What needs improvement with Citrix Hypervisor?
The marketing of Citrix lacks effectiveness. Although the product is technically competitive, it is not widely known or used due to poor marketing. Additionally, the technical support for midsize b...
See all answers
What do you like most about IBM PowerVM?
Managing other operating systems is also straightforward with IBM PowerVM.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM PowerVM?
PowerVM itself is free with the purchase of an IBM server. However, I find that the overall cost is higher, however, the total cost of ownership is cheaper for larger workloads.
See all answers
What needs improvement with IBM PowerVM?
PowerVM should integrate some capabilities of VMware vCenter to improve its management features. IBM should consider models that combine x86 and Power processors for versatility in running Windows ...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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VMware vSphere vs Citrix XenServer Logo
VMware vSphere vs Citrix XenServer
Compared 24% of the time
Hyper-V vs Citrix XenServer Logo
Hyper-V vs Citrix XenServer
Compared 20% of the time
KVM vs Citrix XenServer Logo
KVM vs Citrix XenServer
Compared 7% of the time
Nutanix AHV Virtualization vs Citrix XenServer Logo
Nutanix AHV Virtualization vs Citrix XenServer
Compared 6% of the time
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VMware vSphere vs IBM PowerVM Logo
VMware vSphere vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 61% of the time
KVM vs IBM PowerVM Logo
KVM vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 12% of the time
Hyper-V vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Hyper-V vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 8% of the time
Proxmox VE vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Proxmox VE vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 8% of the time
Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 4% of the time
More IBM PowerVM Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Citrix XenServer
January 2025
Citrix XenServer reportDownload Citrix XenServer product report
Buyer's Guide
IBM PowerVM
January 2025
IBM PowerVM reportDownload IBM PowerVM product report
 

Also Known As

Hypervisor
PowerVM
 

Learn More

Citrix
IBM
 

Overview

Citrix XenServer is a virtualization platform used in industries such as banking, automotive, and data applications for cloud automation, server virtualization, and VDI scenarios. It supports infrastructure management, virtual machine hosting, and enterprise software deployment, reducing costs by migrating from other platforms.

As a virtualization tool, Citrix XenServer stands out for its ease of maintenance, support, scalability, and centralized management. Commonly deployed on-premises and in data centers, it provides real-time monitoring, live migration, and strong security features. With compatibility across many operating systems, users benefit from a Windows-based management interface that is easy to install and navigate. Integration capabilities with active directory, storage, and load balancing contribute to resource optimization and reliability.

What are the key features of Citrix XenServer?
  • Cost-effectiveness: Reduces operational expenses across IT environments.
  • High Performance: Real-time monitoring and live migration support high efficiency.
  • Security: Strong safeguards protect data and processes.
  • Management Interface: Windows-based, offering user-friendly controls.
  • OS Compatibility: Works with a range of operating systems for flexibility.
  • Advanced Integrations: Active directory, storage, and load balancing maximize resources.
What benefits should users consider in Citrix XenServer reviews?
  • Scalability: Easily adapts to growing demands.
  • Ease of Deployment: Streamlines the installation process for quick setup.
  • Comprehensive Virtualization: Offers extensive capabilities for seamless operations.
  • Centralized Management: Facilitates control through XenCenter.

Implementation in banking, automotive, and data applications leverages Citrix XenServer's strengths in cloud automation and virtualization. Organizations manage resources, deploy services, and ensure stable operations within their infrastructure. The platform is used both on-premises and in data centers, aiding in areas such as cost reduction and maintenance efficiency.

Power is server virtualization without limits. Businesses are turning to PowerVM server virtualization to consolidate multiple workloads onto fewer systems, increasing server utilization and reducing cost. PowerVM provides a secure and scalable server virtualization environment for AIX, IBM i and Linux applications built upon the advanced RAS features and leading performance of the Power Systems platform.
 

Sample Customers

U.S. Army Shared Services Center, SoftLayer, Educational Services of America, Independent Bank, and SK Telecom.
Sto, Soitec, SNO, Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH, Al Mansour Holding, Baptist Health of Northeast Florida, Huhtamaki, ELK Group, IT-Informatik, Arkansas Tech University, Pneuhage
Buyer's Guide
Citrix XenServer vs. IBM PowerVM
January 2025
Free Report: Citrix XenServer vs. IBM PowerVM
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