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IBM PowerVM vs VMware vSphere comparison

IBM and VMware are both solutions in the Server Virtualization Software category. IBM is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5, while VMware is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.3. IBM holds a 1.3% mindshare in SVS, compared to VMware’s 17.3% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of VMware users who would recommend it.
IBM PowerVM
Read 36 IBM PowerVM reviews
  • 1,834 Views
  • 1,548 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
VMware vSphere
Read 454 VMware vSphere reviews
  • 29,259 Views
  • 24,243 Comparison Views
94% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 6, 2024

IBM PowerVM and VMware vSphere are major competitors in the virtualization software industry. While both offer robust feature sets, IBM PowerVM has a slight edge due to its resource optimization and high availability, although VMware vSphere stands out with comprehensive management and flexibility.

Features: IBM PowerVM is known for optimizing resources, high security, and top-notch availability. It stands out for handling large workloads reliably and with stability. VMware vSphere is recognized for centralized management and flexibility, along with advanced features such as vMotion and high availability, making its virtualization capabilities widely praised.

Room for Improvement: IBM PowerVM could enhance its cloud integration, pricing structure, and graphical user interface for easier management. Users express concerns over costs and request more transparency. VMware vSphere could improve its complex licensing process, streamline its GUI, and work on reducing costs. Users suggest better clarity in fault tolerance features and some interface improvements.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM PowerVM is preferred for on-premises deployments and is rated highly for its proactive technical support, with users praising IBM's quick response and in-depth support. VMware vSphere is versatile across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments, with technical support described as satisfactory but not exceptional in all regions.

Pricing and ROI: IBM PowerVM carries a higher cost, but users see value due to its features without extra licensing fees, making the ROI beneficial, especially with large database systems. VMware vSphere is considered more expensive with intricate licensing models. Users recognize the high cost but acknowledge the range of features and reliability that justify the investment in large enterprise settings.

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To learn more, read our detailed IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere Report (Updated: April 2025).
Buyer's Guide
IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere
April 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
7.7
IBM PowerVM offers higher ROI and cost savings, especially for Oracle users, with scalability, easy administration, and enhanced efficiency.
Sentiment score
7.2
VMware vSphere reduces costs and enhances efficiency with virtualization, offering savings, agility, and improved resource utilization and scalability.
The return on investment is substantial, though other platforms may offer a better ROI, primarily due to lower costs involved in setup and maintenance.
If calculated over a five-year period, IBM PowerVM is 30 to 40% more cost-effective than physical servers despite initial costs seeming high.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere report
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.5
IBM PowerVM is praised for strong support, though TSM support and hardware support subscription issues need improvement.
Sentiment score
7.0
VMware vSphere's customer service is efficient and knowledgeable, but response times and complex issue handling can be inconsistent.
IBM provides strong support.
IBM offers excellent customer support.
IBM has an established technical support team and partners who provide extended support to end customers.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
Recently, support has been less friendly and slower, especially after the company was acquired by Broadcom.
If we have issues, the support tends to be unreliable
Priority one issues are usually addressed by engineers within one to two hours.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere report
MB
AS
MR
reviewer2621019 - PeerSpot reviewerYoussef Hmani - PeerSpot reviewer
RJ
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.1
IBM PowerVM excels in scalability and flexibility, supporting large enterprises with superior performance and integration capabilities despite pricing concerns.
Sentiment score
7.4
VMware vSphere offers scalable, flexible environments with minimal downtime, seamless integration, and excellent performance across diverse hardware and business needs.
An IBM server can handle up to sixty-four terabytes of RAM.
I think IBM PowerVM uses a 'pay as you grow' model, allowing customers to scale their resources as needed.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
It is a highly scalable solution.
VMware vSphere is highly scalable in terms of the number of users and the number of servers it can handle.
Scaling is easy, whether it is hyperconverged or a three-tier architecture.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere report
AS
MR
Youssef Hmani - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2621019 - PeerSpot reviewerNeeraj Mehra - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.5
IBM PowerVM offers superior stability and security with excellent uptime, efficiency, and resilience, outperforming alternatives like Nutanix and VMware.
Sentiment score
8.0
VMware vSphere is highly stable and reliable, with minimal outages and quick resolution of issues, ideal for critical applications.
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.
Our clients in India using Power Servers have been running their servers for the last four to five years without any reboot.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
While they are generally stable, if outages occur, they tend to be due to brands like HP or Dell, not VMware vSphere itself.
It is a very stable hypervisor solution.
I would rate the stability of VMware vSphere as eight out of ten.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere report
AS
MR
reviewer2621019 - PeerSpot reviewerNeeraj Mehra - PeerSpot reviewerYoussef Hmani - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Room For Improvement

IBM PowerVM users seek better management, interface, performance, and cost-effectiveness, with enhanced automation, virtualization, and cloud integration features.
VMware vSphere needs pricing, interface, compatibility, management, integration, fault tolerance, performance, and technology support improvements due to user concerns.
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
Sometimes, it is difficult to find documentation for specific tools and solutions.
Another area is the stability during upgrades from older versions to newer versions, where we face issues.
The cost changed from perpetual to subscription, and there is a need for alternative solutions.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere report
MB
AS
RJ
Jawed Iqbal - PeerSpot reviewerNeeraj Mehra - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Setup Cost

IBM PowerVM offers flexible payment options, though initial high costs require negotiation but may yield long-term savings.
VMware vSphere is costly but valued for advanced features and stability, especially in large-scale environments, warranting careful budgeting.
While initially costly, the ROI over five years proves IBM PowerVM is cost-effective, resulting in a 30 to 40% reduction in costs compared to a physical setup.
PowerVM itself is free with the purchase of an IBM server.
Pricing is a concern in Argentina due to the higher cost of mainframe solutions.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
Many customers are trying to avoid it due to its high cost.
Costs significantly increased from perpetual to subscription, with prices rising by two to three times over three to five years.
The solution is too expensive.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere report
MR
AS
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Youssef Hmani - PeerSpot reviewerNeeraj Mehra - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2621019 - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Valuable Features

IBM PowerVM provides flexible resource management, high availability, and smooth cloud transitions, supporting various operating systems and complex workloads.
VMware vSphere offers centralized management and flexibility, enhancing data center efficiency with strong security and fast, efficient operations.
It supports specific workloads, like Oracle and SAP HANA, much better due to its shared processor pool feature which reduces licensing costs.
IBM PowerVM supports multiple operating systems such as IBM i, AIX, and Linux, allowing users to run various applications seamlessly in a cloud environment.
PowerVM excels in efficiently managing all systems and environments, including development, UI, and production.
For more quotes and insights, download the IBM PowerVM report
The vMotion feature is beneficial for online migration of virtual machines from one host to another without downtime.
The tool is highly available, which is crucial for implementing critical applications requiring 24/7 availability.
The vSphere application is free and very useful, ensuring effective management and improvement in operations.
For more quotes and insights, download the VMware vSphere report
AS
MR
MB
Neeraj Mehra - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2621019 - PeerSpot reviewer
RJ
 

Categories and Ranking

IBM PowerVM
Ranking in Server Virtualization Software
10th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
36
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
VMware vSphere
Ranking in Server Virtualization Software
2nd
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
454
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Server Virtualization Software category, the mindshare of IBM PowerVM is 1.3%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of VMware vSphere is 17.3%, down from 19.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Server Virtualization Software
 

Featured Reviews

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.
Read full review
Neeraj Mehra - PeerSpot reviewer
Streamlines virtualization and has features like high availability and vMotion
The primary use case is for virtualization, including the implementation of vSphere, vCloud Foundation, vCloud Director, and cloud automation with vSphere My customers, particularly SMBs, mainly utilize High Availability (HA), DRS, and vMotion features. The vMotion feature is beneficial for…
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Comparison Review

it_user234735 - PeerSpot reviewer
May 10, 2015
Hyper-V 2012 R2 vs. VMware vSphere 5.5
I was won with Hyper-V 2012R2 recently and the table below based on customer RFP (edited). This articles all about technical, there is not related with TCO/ROI, licensing cost, “political”, etc. Another to noted is the Windows Server 2012 licenses is based on 2 socket CPU, meanwhile…
Read full review
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
19%
Financial Services Firm
15%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Government
6%
Educational Organization
27%
Computer Software Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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?
While initially costly, the ROI over five years proves IBM PowerVM is cost-effective, resulting in a 30 to 40% reduction in costs compared to a physical setup.
See all answers
What needs improvement with IBM PowerVM?
I have not encountered any issues or dissatisfaction with IBM PowerVM so far. Clients using it have been satisfied, and there have been no glitches since its introduction.
See all answers
What is IOMMU?
DEEPEN DHULLA did explain well IOMMU. IOMMU has to be activated at the bios level. It exists on Intel and AMD platforms. It is used a lot inside virtualization platforms like VMware VSphere. It pr...
See all answers
Why KVM??? Help please!
We use VMware and KVM. We find that KVM is a lot simpler to use and it provides the virtualization we need for Linux and Windows. For us, VMware does not offer any advantage. Moreover, KVM is free.
See all answers
What is the biggest difference between Nutanix Acropolis and VMware vSphere?
We found the reduced power consumption with Nutanix Acropolis AOS a very attractive feature. We also like the interface that allows you to talk directly to your VM from the present software. We fou...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

KVM vs IBM PowerVM Logo
KVM vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 11% of the time
Hyper-V vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Hyper-V vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 9% of the time
Proxmox VE vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Proxmox VE vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 9% of the time
Oracle VM vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Oracle VM vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 3% of the time
Nutanix AHV Virtualization vs IBM PowerVM Logo
Nutanix AHV Virtualization vs IBM PowerVM
Compared 3% of the time
More IBM PowerVM Competitors
Hyper-V vs VMware vSphere Logo
Hyper-V vs VMware vSphere
Compared 24% of the time
Oracle VM vs VMware vSphere Logo
Oracle VM vs VMware vSphere
Compared 14% of the time
Proxmox VE vs VMware vSphere Logo
Proxmox VE vs VMware vSphere
Compared 13% of the time
RHEV vs VMware vSphere Logo
RHEV vs VMware vSphere
Compared 10% of the time
Oracle VM VirtualBox vs VMware vSphere Logo
Oracle VM VirtualBox vs VMware vSphere
Compared 3% of the time
More VMware vSphere Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
IBM PowerVM
April 2025
IBM PowerVM reportDownload IBM PowerVM product report
Buyer's Guide
VMware vSphere
March 2025
VMware vSphere reportDownload VMware vSphere product report
 

Also Known As

PowerVM
No data available
 

Overview

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.
IBM

VMware vSphere is a versatile virtualization platform known for its ease of use, flexibility, and high availability. It supports seamless migration, optimal resource allocation, and centralized management, making it highly suitable for diverse infrastructure needs.

VMware vSphere is widely adopted for its virtualization capabilities that enhance hardware efficiency and ensure minimal downtime through features like High Availability and Distributed Resource Scheduler. Despite criticisms about high licensing costs and limited fault tolerance, it remains a preferred choice due to its stability, scalability, and robust integration options. Users appreciate its efficiency in managing virtual machines and hosting enterprise applications, although challenges with web client performance and hardware compatibility are noted. Organizations often look for better integration with cloud services and enhanced automation and scalability.

What are the core features of VMware vSphere?
  • vMotion: Enables seamless migration of virtual machines without downtime.
  • Distributed Resource Scheduler: Optimizes resource allocation across hosts.
  • High Availability: Minimizes downtime by automatically restarting virtual machines.
  • Centralized Management: Facilitates easy management of virtualized environments.
  • Advanced Security: Provides robust security measures and compliance features.
What benefits and ROI can businesses look for?
  • Reduced Operational Costs: Efficiently utilizes hardware, saving on expenses.
  • Scalability: Easily scales to meet growing business demands.
  • Business Continuity: Ensures high availability and disaster recovery.
  • Integration Flexibility: Supports integration with various technologies.

VMware vSphere is implemented across sectors like healthcare, finance, and education for server virtualization, data center management, and private cloud creation. Its use in facilitating business-critical operations ensures high availability and efficient resource use, supporting both development and production environments.

VMware
 

Sample Customers

Sto, Soitec, SNO, Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH, Al Mansour Holding, Baptist Health of Northeast Florida, Huhtamaki, ELK Group, IT-Informatik, Arkansas Tech University, Pneuhage
Abu Dhabi Ports Company, ACS, AIA New Zealand, Consona, Corporate Express, CS Energy, and Digiweb.
Buyer's Guide
IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere
April 2025
Free Report: IBM PowerVM vs. VMware vSphere
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