Nutanix Flow Network Security vs VMware NSX comparison

Nutanix and VMware are both solutions in the Microsegmentation Software category. Nutanix is ranked #5 with an average rating of 9.5, while VMware is ranked #1 with an average rating of 7.7. Nutanix holds a 7.0% mindshare in MS, compared to VMware’s 17.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Nutanix users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 88% of VMware users who would recommend it.

Nutanix Flow Network Security

Read 9 Nutanix Flow Network Security reviews

1,681 Views
1,099 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

VMware NSX

Read 102 VMware NSX reviews

4,369 Views
3,037 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Nutanix Flow Network Security

VMware NSX

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 4, 2024

VMware NSX and Nutanix Flow compete in the network security solutions category. VMware NSX stands out for its extensiveness and automation, making it favorable for tech buyers seeking comprehensive features. Nutanix Flow, however, is valued for its cost-effectiveness and easy deployment, appealing to those in need of straightforward security solutions.

Features: VMware NSX offers comprehensive security features, including micro-segmentation, extensive automation, and flexible network integration, fostering suitability for complex environments. Nutanix Flow provides simple and effective security measures that are easy to manage, suitable for users seeking straightforward solutions with a focus on ease of use and core functionalities.

Room for Improvement: VMware NSX could enhance encapsulation technology and simplify upgrades to tackle deployment speed issues. It would benefit from advanced routing protocols and improved cloud integration. Nutanix Flow needs improved documentation clarity and a better graphical interface while maintaining its robust core features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: VMware NSX supports various cloud environments, adding complexity, but benefits from strong customer service with global variance in technical support. Nutanix Flow is easier to deploy and manage, noted for seamless technical support and a clear customer response strategy.

Pricing and ROI: VMware NSX is seen as expensive but justified by its robust capabilities and potential ROI through reduced network overhead and security enhancements. Nutanix Flow offers competitive pricing with subscription-based plans, providing a cost-effective solution appealing to small to medium-sized businesses looking for a balance between functionality and affordability.

To learn more, read our detailed Nutanix Flow Network Security vs. VMware NSX Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Nutanix Flow Network Security vs. VMware NSX

March 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:

Categories and Ranking

Nutanix Flow Network Security

Ranking in Microsegmentation Software

5th

Average Rating

9.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

VMware NSX

Ranking in Microsegmentation Software

1st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

102

Ranking in other categories

Network Virtualization (2nd), Cloud and Data Center Security (3rd), Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) (8th), Network Detection and Response (NDR) (9th), Network Automation (5th)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Microsegmentation Software category, the mindshare of Nutanix Flow Network Security is 7.0%, down from 7.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of VMware NSX is 17.9%, down from 23.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Microsegmentation Software

Featured Reviews

Gus Thompson

IT Principal Analyst at Pima Community College

Offers great integration capabilities and helps design a disaster recovery plan

My company is still determining how the product has improved network visibility. My organization is still actively developing the product. There are many things my company is doing in the background to make sure that our VMs come up. My company deals with Nutanix Cross Hypervisor Disaster Recovery, so we are moving from an ESXi or VMware to Nutanix AHV, meaning that my company is crossing over from hypervisor technologies and leveraging Nutanix to maintain the networks at our DR facility. The most valuable feature of the product in enhancing the security posture stems from the micro-segmentation provided by the product, but I think that it is a functionality in its early stages. The product's micro-segmentation features are being developed to be made robust against technologies such as NSX from VMware and other hypervisor-dependent technologies such as Guardicore. I can't say that the product has given my company any additional features yet, but we hope that the tool will provide us with additional functionalities in the future. The product's micro-segmentation features seem to be on par with the other technologies in the market when it comes to its ability to isolate workloads. I haven't noticed any improvements in my company due to the automation capabilities of the product, especially since everything is done manually in our organization because we know the application very well, and we also know how we want to protect it. I am sure the product has automatic features, but we haven't used them in our company. There has been a positive impact due to the integration capabilities of the product with the other solutions in our company's IT infrastructure. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it, especially those who use Nutanix AHV as a hypervisor. It would be a good choice to work with the account rep in your company so that you can get a system engineer to help you walk through the majority of the deployment and setup phases since the documentation has certain shortcomings. I rate the overall tool a ten out of ten.

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DanielBass

Senior IT Strategy Consultant at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Improves network security with micro-segmentation but setup is complex

I value the ability to dynamically configure our network on the fly using VMware NSX. This flexibility is a huge advantage because it allows us to avoid static configurations that come with traditional hardware setups. Additionally, the micro-segmentation feature is beneficial for adhering to strict security regulations from our security department.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"It allows for policies that enable complete visibility and traffic control."

"The network view was excellent as it allowed us to expand the server view and visualize all connections it made within the environment. This was particularly useful in identifying the path of our data and not just its location within the data center."

"Nutanix Flow is straightforward to install. You only need to select a checkmark that you want to enable Nutanix Flow."

"We appreciate the fact that this solution allows us to segregate two virtual machines that are in the same cluster."

"Nutanix Flow Network Security is a simple solution that is usable, easy to understand, and easy to deploy."

"Nutanix Flow has a lot of data protection features. It's also valuable for operations and management. It's a big solution that works well with different solutions and is suitable for most business cases."

"It is a very stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

"Flow Network Security's most valuable features are user-friendliness, the console, and policy creation."

More Nutanix Flow Network Security pros

"The most valuable features are security and dynamic routing."

"This solution comes with an API that can easily integrate with other solutions."

"Firewall security is one of VMware NSX's vital features"

"It is easy to implement it."

"The microsegmentation allows me to sleep at night. My job is reducing risk, plugging security holes, and working with the automated layer security. Even if somebody spins up a new server, it has to have a tag in NSX."

"I have found the solution to be stable."

"NSX's stand-out function is the distributed firewall. The firewall system is just top-notch, and I haven't seen another solution like it."

"The interface is intuitive enough."

More VMware NSX pros

Cons

"I would rate Flow Network Security's stability seven out of ten - it could be improved."

"For customers who are running Nutanix Flow and AHV, the largest area for improvement is in the disaster recovery environments. To automate the populate of rules from one side to the other side in case of disaster you report everything on the disaster recovery site, and you have all the rules automatically applied. This was something that was being built when I left Nutanix. It might already be available. Additionally, the usability of the rules editor could improve."

"While the graphical interface of Nutanix Flow Network Security could have been improved, and some of the reporting features needed extra work, the product's features were similar to VMware's NSX. The difference lay more in the presentation and user interface."

"We would like the reporting functionality of this solution to be improved."

"The documentation offered by the product is an area with certain shortcomings where improvements are required."

"Nutanix Flow's networking features could use some improvement. Also, I don't know if it's currently supporting load balancing or not."

"The most difficult part is the configuration of the initial blueprints."

"Last time I used it, it was not handy to see or to analyze traffic logs."

More Nutanix Flow Network Security cons

"Occasionally the licensing is not very clear. They should make it easier to understand."

"The engineering team has room for improvement. They should have have more of a Knowledge Base about different case studies and should develop more advanced features. These kinds of improvements will change the way things get done."

"We have been satisfied with the technical support. They were able to solve our problems. However, they could be faster."

"Quite a complex solution."

"It's not feature-rich."

"The tool's setup is complex and we need support to implement it."

"It could be more user-friendly, but it's manageable. When we add a specific node to this particular NSX and the configuration changes, it won't push through the errors where required, but it'll accept it. However, while using it, we will have issues. It can also be more stable."

"The initial configuration and integration within our existing environment were not easy. The configuration process was a bit complex, specifically during the initial setup."

More VMware NSX cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Flow Network Security is available on a three-year license, with annual renewals of the maintenance fee."

"This model is very accessible to implement."

"The product is available for free use."

"In comparison to other options available in the market, I would rate their pricing as very competitive, probably a two or three out of ten for cost."

"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."

"There is an annual subscription to use this solution. There is a 60-day trial to use the solution, it gives you time to decide if you want to continue using the solution."

"There are different licensing models."

"We have saved man-hours and decreased our security exposure."

"We haven't had to hire a dedicated network engineer because NSX handles 90 percent of it. The reduced overhead in terms of managing networks has been the biggest plus."

"Our customers have definitely complained about its cost. It's expensive. I'd rate it a nine out of ten in terms of pricing where ten represents a high price. There are other products out there that are equally expensive."

"Pricing and licensing could be improved as we are a government entity. Lower pricing could always help."

"The solution is very expensive."

"The pricing model for VMware NSX is good."

"The implementation of VMware NSX can be cost-intensive, especially if an organization is looking for a comprehensive solution. The costs can vary based on factors like the level of conversation and discounts obtained during negotiations. Some government organizations, for instance, may find the prices relatively high, leading to concerns about budget hikes, especially when deploying the solution across the entire organization. Regarding maintenance and support, they are typically included in the standard licensing costs for enterprise-level businesses. While these costs can be significant, many companies opt for standard licensing to ensure they have access to necessary support and maintenance services."

"VMware NSX is expensive and everything is licensed. We have to pay for each individual feature."

More VMware NSX pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

23%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Nutanix Flow?

Nutanix Flow Network Security is a simple solution that is usable, easy to understand, and easy to deploy.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Nutanix Flow?

There are different models like Nutanix AOS Pro or Ultimate license. The prices are different, but it's not in the same price range as Cisco ACI, for example.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Nutanix Flow?

Last time I used it, it was not handy to see or to analyze traffic logs. As a Check Point partner as well, we have some more expectations to log in. Probably, it's possible to forward all the traff...

See all answers

What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?

There are some very major differences between both the Products and to name a few. -Cisco ACI have physical network gear (9K Switches) where the Code runs in ACI Policy Mode & the UCS server wh...

See all answers

What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?

Once you know your way around the Cisco ecosystem, using Cisco ACI is not so difficult. It is a global product, so when you change one interface, changes are automatically reflected on every switch...

See all answers

What do you like most about VMware NSX?

The product has valuable features for security and network extension.

See all answers

Comparisons

Illumio vs Nutanix Flow Network Security

Compared 10% of the time

Akamai Guardicore Segmentation vs Nutanix Flow Network Security

Compared 10% of the time

More Nutanix Flow Network Security Competitors

Illumio vs VMware NSX

Compared 20% of the time

Akamai Guardicore Segmentation vs VMware NSX

Compared 16% of the time

Cisco Secure Workload vs VMware NSX

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco ACI vs VMware NSX

Compared 7% of the time

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs VMware NSX

Compared 3% of the time

More VMware NSX Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Nutanix Flow Network Security

March 2025

Download Nutanix Flow Network Security product report

Buyer's Guide

VMware NSX

March 2025

Download VMware NSX product report

Also Known As

Nutanix Flow Microsegmentation

VMware Nicira, Lastline Defender

Overview

Flow Network Security is a stateful, distributed, microsegmentation firewall. It is provided as part of NCI Ultimate or as part of the optional Security Add-On package for NCI Pro.

Nutanix

VMware NSX is a sophisticated solution utilized for micro-segmentation, network security, software-defined networking, and private cloud construction. It aids in the transition from physical to virtual infrastructure, ensuring efficient network virtualization and security of production workloads.

VMware NSX empowers organizations to manage network functions, implement distributed firewalls, and enhance security within virtual environments. Crucial for disaster recovery and load balancing, it supports cloud-native application development and enterprise clients. Its ease of use, scalability, and seamless integration with existing VMware solutions ensure streamlined network management and swift deployment. Despite its extensive features, areas like pricing, routing functionality, and compatibility with certain platforms require attention.

What are the key features of VMware NSX?

Ease of Use: Simplifies network management with an intuitive interface.
Scalability: Adapts to growing infrastructure needs seamlessly.
Micro-Segmentation: Enhances security by dividing networks into smaller, manageable segments.
Integration: Seamlessly works with existing VMware solutions and third-party applications.
Dynamic Routing: Optimizes network traffic efficiently.
Security Options: Offers robust firewall features and security measures.
Automation: Facilitates quick deployment through comprehensive automation capabilities.
High Bandwidth: Ensures high-performance network operations.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Enhanced Network Security: Superior protection for virtual environments.
Efficient Disaster Recovery: Reliable support for business continuity.
Reduced Deployment Time: Fast implementation and configuration.
Improved Network Management: Centralized and streamlined control of network resources.

VMware NSX is widely implemented across industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Organizations in these sectors utilize it to bolster security, enhance network efficiency, and support cloud-native applications. By extending on-premise networks into provider spaces and managing virtual access networks, VMware NSX significantly optimizes infrastructure operations.

VMware

Sample Customers

JetBlue, International Speedway Corporation, Volkswagen SAIC, Brighton and Hove City Council, Foresters Financial, Janus International Group, Cloud Comrade, Serco

City of Avondale, Lumeta, Kroll Ontrack, Heartland Payment Systems, Baystate Heallth, Exostar, Tribune Media, iGATE, NTT Communications, Synergent, California Natural Resources Agency, Bloomington Public Schools, Columbia Sportswear, Join Experience S.A, Schuberg Philis

Buyer's Guide

Nutanix Flow Network Security vs. VMware NSX

March 2025

Free Report: Nutanix Flow Network Security vs. VMware NSX

Find out what your peers are saying about Nutanix Flow Network Security vs. VMware NSX and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.

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