StarWind Virtual SAN Reviews

Name: StarWind Virtual SAN
Brand: StarWind
Rating: 4.8 (190 reviews)

Vendor: StarWind

4.8 out of 5

190 reviews
100% willing to recommend

715 followers

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What is StarWind Virtual SAN?

StarWind Virtual SAN provides high availability and fault tolerance for virtualized environments without the need for dedicated SAN hardware. It allows for real-time replication between servers, shared storage for Hyper-V clusters, and enables vMotion and High Availability features for VMware vSphere. The solution reduces costs and leverages existing hardware while providing a scalable and reliable infrastructure. Valuable features include ease of use, scalability, top-tier support, hardware agnosticism, and the ability to use off-the-shelf standard servers to increase storage space. StarWind VSAN has helped organizations improve performance, data availability, and data security while reducing downtime and providing cost-saving storage options.

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StarWind Virtual SAN is the #1 ranked solution in top Software Defined Storage (SDS) solutions and #4 ranked solution in HCI Software. PeerSpot users give StarWind Virtual SAN an average rating of 9.6 out of 10. StarWind Virtual SAN is most commonly compared to Red Hat Ceph Storage: StarWind Virtual SAN vs Red Hat Ceph Storage. StarWind Virtual SAN is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 58% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

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Featured reviews

MIT

IT System Administrator at Ludwig Meyer GmbH & Co. KG

Feature-wise we are only waiting for the release of a "planned disaster" feature that would allow us to patch a hypervisor node without having to take the full storage offline. ATM (20220609) is still necessary, since taking a node offline without properly activating the maintenance mode on the vSAN would trigger a full sync of the vSAN nodes. This is fine and a good thing since it ensures data integrity. However, there is something in the making that would ensure integrity without a full sync after a node goes down, which, as stated above, one could "abuse" to patch (and boot = take down) the hypervisors during business hours 😁 Other than that, the thing is rock stable and chugging along without issues. We are an SMB so we "only" have around 50 VMs on our FO cluster, which is a medium load for SSDs. If you plan to go more to the "max" side of performance use, do proper testing!

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kasala

Senior Systems Engineer at River Run Computers, Inc.

The level of confidence and support within the StarWind organization is second to none. The simplicity of scaling the StarWind solution has also been a boon for us. In the past, most solutions relied on a per GB or per TB model while StarWind is a simple licensing structure per node. This has enabled us to scale clients' infrastructure as needed without being concerned about running into an artificial ceiling. When StarWind considered a pricing model change we discussed and worked with them to ensure that the solutions and changes prevented did not have a negative impact. They are a true partner.

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Ahmed Hosni

Senior System Engineer at Giza Systems

You can maintain and update it with little to no fuss, even the free version is incredibly capable whilst it brings the cost of a Highly Available HCI solution down to a very cost-effective point. Having used Starwind Virtual SAN for many years both for clients and for internal systems, it has always done exactly what it set out to do. It provides a cost-effective way to run an HCI storage platform for almost any hypervisor, but it is most effective with Hyper-V. It's simple and easy to use, The software monitoring should be web-based to be reachable from any VLAN workstation.

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StarWind Virtual SAN mindshare

Product category:

As of February 2025, the mindshare of StarWind Virtual SAN in the Software Defined Storage (SDS) category stands at 8.8%, up from 8.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Software Defined Storage (SDS)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Software Defined Storage (SDS)	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	StarWind Virtual SAN vs Red Hat Ceph Storage	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	StarWind Virtual SAN vs Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	StarWind Virtual SAN vs Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS)	Feb 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Red Hat Ceph Storage	4.1	20.3%	81%	23 interviews Add to research
Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)	4.3	5.7%	94%	197 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

StarWind Virtual SAN is praised for outstanding support, simplicity in installation and integration, and robust performance. Users appreciate its active-active high availability, seamless hardware upgrades, and fault tolerance. The system supports easy management and scalability, allowing data replication and synchronization with minimal downtime. Its cost-effectiveness, compatibility with existing hardware, and flexibility in deployment make it a preferred choice, offering efficient virtualization and reduced infrastructure costs while ensuring data continuity and support.

"The feature I have found most valuable in VSAN is its high availability capability."
"The feature I have found most valuable in VSAN is its high availability capability."
"Having support is also very valuable to us as we are a small team."

Room for Improvement

StarWind Virtual SAN needs improved and up-to-date documentation, a clearer user interface, and enhanced automation tools. Users also seek better integration with cloud services, more automated notifications, and refined PowerShell support. Further improvements include streamlined configuration processes, a more modern dashboard, better support for extra features like thin provisioning, deduplication, and encryption, and enhanced scalability options. Additionally, users desire more efficient network management and quicker response times from support. Bug fixes to enhance overall performance are also expected.

"Scalability should be further improved, especially considering the possibility that environments may grow exponentially."
"While the tool works well in its current configuration, allowing for greater ease and flexibility in adding new nodes to the cluster without complications would be very beneficial, especially in growing environments."
"We have found this product to suit our needs."

ROI

StarWind Virtual SAN offers strong returns, frequently covering costs quickly with impressive financial outcomes. Many report significant savings from reduced downtime and maintenance, using less physical hardware, and transitioning to all-flash arrays. It eliminates dependency on specific hardware vendors and maximizes existing technologies. Several users experience cost-effective, high-performing, and reliable virtualization, achieving returns as soon as months after deployment. Their financial efficiency enhances organizational capabilities without sacrificing performance or requiring extensive investments.

Pricing

Enterprise users report StarWind Virtual SAN as cost-effective and competitively priced compared to other storage solutions. The straightforward licensing and lack of hidden fees are appreciated. The setup is quick and uncomplicated, often bundled with the purchase. Although the professional version offers more storage capacity, users recommend communicating directly with StarWind for optimal pricing and support packages. Users note significant savings in hardware and licensing costs when using existing servers.

"For two nodes, it cost us $10,000, and we spend $2,000 a year on support."
"We found that the pricing was perfect; simple and clear."
"This solution is very accessible and the pro-level for support is well worth the cost."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use StarWind Virtual SAN for creating highly available clusters in Hyper-V and VMware environments, enabling uninterrupted failover and data replication. Many deploy it for cost-effective, hyper-converged storage solutions without needing additional hardware. Users mention its seamless integration with existing systems, enhancing redundancy and performance. StarWind Virtual SAN is often chosen for its capability to utilize existing hardware, providing high availability for various critical applications and reducing overall storage costs.

Service and Support

StarWind Virtual SAN's customer service and support receive praise for being timely, professional, and knowledgeable. Their staff is quick to address issues, offering expert guidance in both StarWind and other technologies. Many users highlight the proactive nature of the support, ensuring problems are thoroughly resolved, often going the extra mile. The support team frequently provides rapid responses and effective solutions, earning high marks for their technical expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Deployment

The setup for StarWind Virtual SAN was generally straightforward, though complexity varied across experiences. Many found it simple and supported by excellent documentation and responsive support. While some faced challenges, particularly with networking, most were aided by StarWind's support team. Users praised the ease of installation, good guidance, and efficient deployment with minimal downtime, enjoying user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive manuals that made even complex installations manageable.

Scalability

StarWind Virtual SAN is highly scalable and adapts well to various configurations. Users note it's easy to add nodes and storage, with minimal downtime. Some mention limits with initial configurations but appreciate the ability to adjust as needed. The flexibility to increase resources and integrate seamlessly into existing systems is highlighted, making it suitable for growing organizations. Several users have found it to meet substantial storage needs while remaining efficient and manageable.

Stability

Stability of StarWind Virtual SAN is frequently praised; it runs reliably with almost no downtime or issues. Users report seamless operation even during updates, with only minor glitches typically due to hardware or third-party software. Most problems arise from setup errors or hardware failures, not from StarWind itself. Many users are impressed by its capacity to handle network outages smoothly, maintaining robust performance and reliability throughout diverse environments.

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

Download our StarWind Virtual SAN Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.