Many companies are opting to streamline their IT infrastructure through virtualization, with VMware being a notable option among the various solutions on the market. However, Broadcom's acquisition of VMware in 2023 has resulted in higher costs, prompting IT system directors to consider whether alternatives are feasible.
One emerging option is the German software provider Proxmox. Our aim is to compare these two tools objectively, allowing you to make the best decision for your business.
Proxmox vs VMware: which virtualisation solution should you choose?
Introducing Proxmox VE
Proxmox Virtual Environment (known as “Proxmox VE” or “PVE”) is a virtualisation platform that is open-source (licensed under AGPLv3) and built on the Linux hypervisor KVM. It also provides a Linux container solution using LXC. Additionally, paid support options are available.
Proxmox VE caters to a diverse range of virtualisation requirements, from small development and testing setups to extensive production deployments in data centres. Its primary benefit is its user-friendliness compared to other hypervisors.
Introducing VMware
VMware vSphere is a comprehensive virtualization platform based on proprietary technology, featuring the ESXi Type 1 hypervisor and the vCenter Server management system. VMware utilizes ESXi for high-performance virtualization directly on physical hardware.
One of its greatest benefits is the integration of automation and artificial intelligence tools within a robust virtual environment to support large-scale operations.
It is an advanced virtualization solution equipped with a suite of enterprise-level tools like vMotion for live migration, Distributed Resource Scheduler for workload balancing, and vSAN for software-defined storage.
Comparison of features found in Proxmox VE and VMware
Storage options
Here are the details:
Functionality | Proxmox VE | VMware vSphere |
Software-defined storage (SDS) | Ceph | VMware vSAN |
File systems | ZFS, CephFS, POSIX file systems | VMFS |
Storage protocols | iSCSI, FC, NVMe-oF, NFS | iSCSI, FC, NVMe-oF, NFS |
Backups and georeplication | Not by default | Not by default |
Snapshots and cloning | Support for ZFS | Supported |
Scalability options for storage | Upgrade by adding disks or nodes. Flexibility depends on Ceph configuration. | Evolve by adding disks or nodes. |
Performance optimisation | Caching, cache tiering | Advanced storage performance features with DRS, storage I/O control |
Deduplication and compression | Supported | Supported |
SDS licences | Open-source, with optional commercial support | Proprietary, subscription-based |
Proxmox vs VMware: which virtualisation solution should you choose?
Additionally, a comprehensive experiment by Blockbridge on VMware and Proxmox storage performance showed that Proxmox excelled in IOPS. In fact, Proxmox VE surpassed VMware ESXi in 56 out of the 57 tests conducted. Proxmox achieved 50% higher peak performance than VMware, while maintaining 30% lower latency and 38% higher bandwidth. This indicates that Proxmox significantly outperforms VMware in storage performance at peak loads, although the difference lessens under normal load conditions.
Backup and Restoration
VMware and Proxmox VE share many features:
They support full VM backup.
They allow for instant live backups (snapshots) to capture the state of a VM without disrupting service.
They enable configuration of multiple storage locations and retention policies to manage backup lifecycles.
They offer graphical user interfaces (GUI) and command line interfaces (CLI), allowing for manual execution of scheduled tasks and real-time backup status monitoring.
They support complete VM restoration from backups, as well as file-level restoration.
Despite these similarities, VMware and Proxmox VE differ in their backup management approaches:
Proxmox VE integrates its backup functions directly into its open-source platform.
Backups can be scheduled and executed via the pvescheduler.
Proxmox Backup Server offers incremental and live restore functionalities.
While VMware provides native backup capabilities, with vSphere Replication technology for quick, automated recovery in multi-site environments, it heavily relies on third-party solutions for advanced backup management.
Tools like Veeam, Commvault, and Veritas offer additional features such as flexible backup scheduling, advanced retention policy management, file restore, application object restore, and even instant VM restore.
Veeam has announced that it will support Proxmox VE starting in the third quarter of 2024. It will offer immutable backups for VMs and also enable restoration of VMs from other platforms, such as VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V, to Proxmox VE.
Security and Updates
Security
Proxmox VE and VMware provide several integrated security features to safeguard virtualized environments, including two-factor authentication (2FA) and role-based administration for detailed user permission management.
Proxmox VE includes an integrated firewall configurable at the datacenter, node, and VM levels. LXC utilizes Linux security modules like AppArmor or SELinux.
VMware offers a more extensive suite of security tools through its NSX platform and other VMware security products (vRealize Log Insight, vSphere Trust Authority, VMware Site Recovery for disaster recovery). The VMware platform can facilitate compliance with standards like LPD, RGPD, or HIPAA due to its enterprise-oriented features.
Updates
With Proxmox VE, updates are managed by the open-source community and are frequently reviewed and released. However, Proxmox users need to be proactive in applying updates and managing system patches, as these tasks are generally manual.
With VMware, updates and patches are managed automatically via VMware Update Manager (VUM), requiring minimal manual intervention.
In summary:
Proxmox vs VMware: which virtualisation solution should you choose?
How do they perform?
Performance and Scalability
VM Performance
Hardware Compatibility
Proxmox VE can be utilized in both test and production settings with available local hardware (such as desktop PCs and professional servers) without significant investment in new infrastructure, and it supports a range of hardware (including network cards, storage controllers, and other common peripherals).
ESXi is mainly targeted at enterprise server environments and adheres to a strict Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), meaning only specific hardware and configurations are officially supported, ensuring optimal performance and stability.
Hypervisor Speed
KVM is generally recognized for faster application execution compared to other hypervisors, according to the SPECvirt-sc2013 benchmark. It typically outpaces ESXi in creating and running servers. However, the speed difference is not very significant in typical workloads.
Solution Scalability
Proxmox VE can operate on a broad range of hardware. To establish a high-availability (HA) cluster, at least three nodes are necessary. However, Proxmox lacks hot migration and high availability features as advanced as those offered by VMware ESXi.
Conversely, VMware ESXi is well-known for its high scalability and advanced high-availability functionalities, featuring tools like vMotion for hot virtual machine migration, vSphere HA for automatic fault tolerance, and Distributed Resource Scheduler for resource optimization. The minimum HA cluster setup with VMware requires at least two nodes.
Now, let's address the key issue: the budget.
Cost and Licensing for Proxmox and VMware
Proxmox Licensing Model
A major benefit of Proxmox VE is the reduction in implementation and operational expenses. Its open-source model means no mandatory license fees. Additionally, Proxmox VE offers a free version of the software, along with subscriptions starting at around a hundred euros annually for advanced features and user support.
VMware Licensing Model
Since the Broadcom acquisition, two significant changes have occurred: firstly, the free ESXi version is no longer available. Secondly, VMware is transitioning from a perpetual license model to a subscription model for new customers. Existing perpetual license holders will retain their licenses, and VMware will provide active support for the duration of their contracts.
Offers are now organized into packages, the four main ones being:
Cloud Foundation, a comprehensive solution integrating several VMware technologies to create a unified hybrid cloud infrastructure, combining server, storage, and network virtualization;
vSphere Foundation, less comprehensive than VMware Cloud Foundation, but providing essential virtualization tools (centralized management and server virtualization);
vSphere Standard, the basic virtualization solution, offering essential functionality and including vCenter for centralized management;
vSphere Essentials Plus, tailored for small businesses with a bundled license, includes necessary features for managing a small-scale virtual infrastructure.
Cost Comparison
Proxmox’s open-source model offers substantial savings on licensing costs, especially for those not requiring commercial support. However, skilled professionals are needed to manage updates, which must be done manually, and you may need a dedicated budget if outsourcing this task.
VMware is generally more costly, especially for large enterprises needing advanced features and professional support. Transitioning to a subscription model can also affect costs, depending on the specific needs of the organization.
Let's now explore their ergonomics.
Simple to use and set up
Proxmox VE user interface
The user-friendly web interface allows for easy management of virtual machines, containers, storage, and networks without needing extra software. Additionally, Proxmox VE offers role-based management, allowing for secure task delegation.
VMware User Interface
VMware boasts a more extensive ecosystem and employs vCenter Server as a centralized management tool for all virtual machines. The interface is crafted to manage and oversee the entire virtual infrastructure, offering advanced capabilities for automation, resource management, and performance analysis. It is also more intricate.
Installation process
Proxmox VE is less resource-intensive than ESXi: it can operate on an x86 processor with hardware virtualization support (Intel VT-x/AMD-V). The minimum requirements include 2 CPU cores, 2 GB RAM, and 16 GB of disk space.
To install, download the Proxmox VE ISO from the official website. After installation, the system will reboot, allowing you to access the Proxmox web interface to finalize the configuration.
For VMware ESXi, it requires 2 CPU cores, a 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization support, at least 8 GB RAM, and 5 GB of disk space just for installation. Additional resources are needed for VM data, logs, and production environments (4 CPU cores, 32 GB RAM, and more disk space).
The installation process mirrors that of Proxmox VE. However, the default installation is likely inadequate: to ensure the system meets your requirements, additional components or virtual network configurations may be necessary.
Let’s discuss user support.
Support and community
Support for Proxmox VE
Support services are available through a subscription (standard or premium). The Proxmox customer portal allows you to create and manage support tickets.
Comprehensive documentation is freely accessible online via the official website. It covers a wide array of topics and includes tutorials on advanced features. It’s free, but a paid support subscription provides access to additional resources.
Support for VMware
VMware is distinguished by its enterprise-level support offerings, which include robust SLAs, direct technical assistance, and extensive documentation, available online for free. It covers not only ESXi and vSphere products but also integration with other VMware solutions such as NSX, vSAN, and vRealize. VMware also offers a broader range of paid support options, including training courses.
Community activities and resources
As might be expected, the dynamics of the Proxmox and VMware communities vary due to their business models.
Proxmox, being an open-source project, encourages a very active and dedicated community. Users frequently participate in forums, contribute to the source code, and are highly responsive. Numerous guides, wikis, and video tutorials are created and shared by the community, including troubleshooting solutions, enhancing the unofficial support available to users.
Although VMware is proprietary software, it has a large professional user base that forms an active community, notably through VMware community forums and events like VMworld. VMware organizes numerous events and conferences, fostering community involvement.
Qim info will assist you in choosing between Proxmox and VMware and deploying the selected solution.
Qim info provides optimal support for your business in three key areas:
Collaboration and transparency: We collaborate to enhance team coordination by offering tailored processes and tools.
We bring teams together around a shared vision to facilitate informed decision-making.
Personalized approach: Your choice is unique to your company.
Our experts work closely with you to understand your specific needs and challenges, enabling us to implement the most suitable solution.
Multi-disciplinary expertise: With 20 years of experience, we have developed a wide range of skills across all areas of IT.
Whether you choose delegation or project mode with a dedicated team, we have the ideal solution for you.
In summary, there isn't one perfect choice, and selecting between Proxmox VE and VMware relies on three key factors:
The specific needs of your company,
Your budget,
Your support requirements.
Our Cloud & DevOps Solutions team is ready to assist you.
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