Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
VMware ESXi Logo

VMware ESXi pros and cons

Vendor: VMware
4.2 out of 5

Pros & Cons summary

Buyer's Guide

Get pricing advice, tips, use cases and valuable features from real users of this product.
Get the report

Prominent pros & cons

PROS

VMware ESXi enhances efficiency and is easy to use with straightforward initial setup, making it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
VMware ESXi excels in reliability, stability, and high availability, ensuring a robust production environment and providing disaster recovery capabilities.
VMware ESXi offers advanced features like vMotion and storage vMotion, enabling users to manage IT downtime activities without shutting down physical servers.
VMware ESXi's resource optimization technologies and clustering functionalities make it highly beneficial for virtualization and resource scheduling needs.
VMware ESXi simplifies server management and supports integration with Windows servers and networking, providing centralized management and scalability.

CONS

VMware ESXi is very costly, especially after the Broadcom acquisition, leading to price increases.
There are frequent concerns about VMware's licensing model, including its shift from perpetual to a subscription model.
Technical support is rated as below average, with response times needing improvement.
VMware ESXi has a complex setup and deployment process, requiring experienced teams, which adds to costs.
Current pricing strategy and structure could be improved, making it less cost-effective for small users.
 

VMware ESXi Pros review quotes

YM
Jul 2, 2024
In ESXi, they use technologies like memory compression, TPS, and ballooning for resource optimization.
Carlos Ortiz - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 3, 2024
The solution brings monetary savings for our company because we utilize a single server
EzraChibole - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 8, 2024
The ease of use would be the first feature I like, then reliability.
Learn what your peers think about VMware ESXi. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
861,524 professionals have used our research since 2012.
John Ilozor - PeerSpot reviewer
May 3, 2024
VMware ESXi provides high availability and a good web interface.
HarveySim - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 23, 2024
The most valuable features of the solution are that it is efficient, fast, and affordable.
Ramish Ali - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 25, 2024
The main function of ESXi is the ability to consolidate multiple machines onto a single server, saving space and energy.
Kyaw Htet Aung - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 1, 2024
ESXi's server management capabilities are incredibly beneficial, as it supports software integration with Windows servers and other essential systems.
MS
Jul 3, 2024
The most beneficial features for me are DRS and HA (High Availability). In case of an interruption at the OS level, they ensure the virtual machine automatically comes back up.
reviewer2002488 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 7, 2024
I am not sure about cost savings, but efficiency-wise, it has improved our company.
Syed Ali Waqas - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 12, 2024
The most valuable features are the integration with networking and virtual network switches.
 

VMware ESXi Cons review quotes

YM
Jul 2, 2024
What I feel is that FT (Fault Tolerance) is not used much. So maybe more focus on that feature is needed.
Carlos Ortiz - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 3, 2024
Some features should be added to the solution to enhance server management
EzraChibole - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 8, 2024
The price point could be improved.
Learn what your peers think about VMware ESXi. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
861,524 professionals have used our research since 2012.
John Ilozor - PeerSpot reviewer
May 3, 2024
VMware should make recovering the password easier if customers forget it.
HarveySim - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 23, 2024
The tool offers an open-source version, which is not really well supported.
Ramish Ali - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 25, 2024
I would rate the technical support as six out of ten. The response time could be better.
MS
Jul 3, 2024
The license model has recently changed, which is a bit worrying for customers.
Kyaw Htet Aung - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 1, 2024
There are concerns about VMware changing their licensing model from perpetual to a subscription model.
reviewer2002488 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 7, 2024
VMware ESXi has a complex setup phase, making it an area where improvements are required.
Mashhood K.A - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 19, 2024
Pricing could be improved.