5 VMware Alternatives for Desktop Virtualization
Desktop virtualization is a technology that enables enterprises to host many virtual desktops on a single physical device, thereby granting employees access to their work environment from anywhere and on any device.
This technology reduces the cost of hardware and software maintenance, improves data security, and boosts staff productivity. And if you’re one of the many businesses looking into Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) or Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions, it’s almost impossible that you haven’t yet heard of VMware.
The widespread adoption of virtualization technology has enabled organizations to increase their operational efficiency and reduce IT costs. Desktop virtualization, in particular, is a powerful tool for organizations to access applications and data from any device, anywhere. While VMware is the popular choice for desktop virtualization, there are a number of other solutions available on the market.
In this article, we will discuss five alternatives to VMware for desktop virtualization that organizations can implement to meet their business needs.
What is VMware?
Since its inception in 1998, VMware has been a market leader in virtualisation. They provide a range of virtualisation technologies for servers, desktops, applications, and numerous cloud management services.
However, we advise customers in the market for software to carefully consider multiple options for their organisation. While VMware is a virtualisation industry titan and, according to users, offers a reasonably high-quality solution, it may not be the greatest choice for your firm. In either case, you will not know until you investigate some alternative products on the market.
To assist you in narrowing down your choice of desktop virtualisation software candidates, I researched a few VMware competitors. The top five choices I discovered are listed alphabetically. Additionally, if this selection does not satisfy your needs, you may always browse our virtualisation directory for additional possibilities.
1. Dizzion
Cost: Dizzion doesn’t list its pricing but does offer a calculator for those considering its services.
Depending on your requirements, Dizzion can deliver desktop as a service (DaaS) completely in the cloud, as a hybrid solution, or on-premises. Choose from over 100 different user permissions to guarantee that your staff access the applications and functionalities they require while restricting access to more sensitive data. Additionally, they guarantee 99.99 per cent uptime, with virtual desktops capable of delivering 250 to 500 IOPS.
Best for Medium and enterprise businesses looking for larger deployments.
2. Microsoft Hyper-V
Microsoft Hyper-V is a free and open-source hypervisor that is included with all modern versions of Windows Server. It is a powerful and versatile virtualization platform that can be used to create and manage virtual machines, containers, and clusters.
Hyper-V is distinguished from its competitors by its emphasis on efficiency and efficacy. By leveraging hardware acceleration technologies such as Intel VT and AMD-V, Hyper-V can provide virtual machines with near-native performance. In addition, Hyper-V’s enhanced memory management enables greater consolidation ratios, allowing organizations to maximize their server resources.
Moreover, Hyper-V’s strict integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem is one of its most significant advantages. Using existing tools such as System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM), organizations can effortlessly manage their virtual environments without needing to acquire a new set of tools or interfaces. This level of cohesion transcends mere administration; features such as live migration, replication, and failover capabilities integrate seamlessly with Windows Server infrastructure components such as Active Directory and PowerShell scripting.
Microsoft Hyper-V’s compatibility with Azure services makes it an ideal option for businesses that are increasingly interested in cloud computing solutions. Windows Server 2019 and subsequent versions simplify hybrid cloud deployments by facilitating the migration between on-premises data centers and Azure-based disaster recovery services such as Azure Site Recovery (ASR).
3. Citrix Hypervisor (formerly XenServer)
Citrix Hypervisor, formerly known as XenServer, is a robust and versatile substitute for VMware. While both platforms provide virtualization capabilities, Citrix Hypervisor offers a unique set of benefits. Notable is its compatibility with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD. This flexibility enables organizations to operate their preferred operating system without compatibility issues or restrictions.
Another attractive feature of Citrix Hypervisor is its affordability. As an open-source platform, it provides a cheaper alternative to VMware’s proprietary software. This cost-effectiveness enables businesses of all sizes to utilize enterprise-level capabilities without breaking the bank. In addition, Citrix Hypervisor’s user-friendly interface makes it simpler for IT administrators to efficiently manage resources and expedite virtual infrastructure operations.
In addition, Citrix Hypervisor offers potent performance optimizations that improve overall system efficiency and significantly reduce downtime. Its advanced workload balancing technology facilitates optimum resource utilization across virtual machines (VMs), thereby enhancing application performance and responsiveness. In addition, Citrix Hypervisor’s High Availability feature’s live migration capabilities allow VMs to be transferred between host servers without service interruption or data loss.
4. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is a virtualization system that enables organisations to provide virtual desktops and applications to employees on any device, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. This solution offers a secure, scalable, and versatile platform for providing virtual desktops and apps to remote and mobile employees.
Parallels RAS interacts with a variety of virtualization platforms, including VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Amazon Web Services, making it an excellent option for businesses with a diverse virtualization environment. In addition, the platform has a user-friendly interface and an extensive selection of administration and security features, making it simple to set up and administer.
5. Proxmox VE
Within the dynamic realm of virtualization, Proxmox VE has emerged as a robust alternative to conventional technologies such as VMware. This open-source platform offers enterprises the advantages of flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in managing virtual machines and deploying containers efficiently. Proxmox VE offers users the flexibility to easily deploy high availability clusters, utilize modern storage solutions such as Ceph, and take advantage of software-defined networking functionalities.
One distinguishing characteristic of Proxmox VE is its capacity to provide enterprise-grade functionalities without necessitating exorbitant licensing prices. In the pursuit of enhanced operational flexibility and cost efficiency, organizations are increasingly turning to alternatives to VMware. This particular alternative stands out due to its ability to offer a resilient infrastructure that can effectively handle high-performance applications while minimizing resource consumption. In addition, the integration of Proxmox VE with prominent open-source technologies guarantees compatibility across several ecosystems, while also facilitating customization to suit individual corporate requirements.
Conclusion
Before deciding which program to purchase, you should always evaluate a number of alternatives. Take advantage of a demo or free trial of one of these VMware alternatives to discover what their competitors are doing and what they may be able to offer your company. In addition, if you know of any additional desktop virtualization solutions that could compete with VMware, please let me know in the section below.
