proxmox-ve-vs-vmware-esxi

Proxmox VE and VMWare Exsi are both server virtualization tools designed to help businesses create and manage virtual machines. Proxmox VE is an open source virtualization tool designed to work with popular Linux distributions.  In contrast VMWare Exsi is a type 1 hypervisor, meaning it creates virtual machines by running directly off the hardware, instead of being an application running on the host operating system.  Both are most popular with mid-sized businesses and enterprises, though Proxmox VE is more popular with Linux users.

Features

Proxmox VE and VMWare Exsi both provide server virtualization features, but they also have some standout features that set them apart from each other.

Proxmox VE is optimized for software development and can virtualize a machine with nearly any guest operating system.  Additionally, Proxmox VE supports a variety of images, from standard ISOs to QEDs and VDIs.  The open source nature of Proxmox VE also makes it highly customizable for a skilled development team. Proxmox VE is a strong choice for businesses that value flexibility and reliability.

VMWare Exsi provides strong support for businesses that need it.  This can make implementation simpler for businesses that lack the IT resources to implement server virtualization technology on their own. Additionally, while VMWare Exsi isn’t as customizable as open source options, the customization options that are there are easier to use without a skilled development team. 

Limitations

Proxmox VE and VMWare Exsi both offer powerful feature sets, but they also have a few limitations that are important to consider.

Proxmox VE allows for heavy customization due to its open source code, but it can be difficult to use for smaller or less skilled development teams.  Additionally, implementation for Proxmox VE can be more difficult than other options, and support options aren’t as robust.  Overall, Proxmox VE may be a poor choice for businesses that will need heavy support from the vendor.

VMWare Exsi can be used for software development, but it isn’t as optimized for it as Proxmox VE, so businesses looking to develop software on Linux host systems may prefer Proxmox VE. Additionally, VMWare Exsi doesn’t support as wide a variety of image types and guest operating systems as Proxmox VE.  For organizations using an obscure image type or a less common guest operating system, VMWare Exsi may not be a viable choice.

Pricing

VMWare Exsi and Proxmox VE are both free server virtualization tools.  Both vendors also offer support at varying prices depending on the needs of the business.  VMWare Exsi also integrates with VSphere software, which businesses must purchase.