VMware used to be the undisputed king of virtualization. Great for big businesses, sure. But now? It’s expensive, and they’ve got you locked in. Recent changes have only added to the uncertainty. I know many are feeling the pinch.
I hate:
- Crazy licensing costs.
- Vendor lock-in.
- Paying for features I don’t use.
- Uncertainty about the future.
I’ve been using Proxmox for years, and I’ve seen how it empowers users. If you value control and open-source solutions (like I do - check out my thoughts on bare metal vs. cloud), there’s a better way.
Proxmox: The Open-Source Alternative#
Proxmox VE (Virtual Environment) is different. It’s:
- Open-source: Free to use!
- Built on Debian: Stable and reliable.
- Powered by KVM and LXC: Run both virtual machines and containers.
It’s a powerful alternative to VMware, and it’s gaining popularity fast.
Why Proxmox is the Better Choice (in my opinion)#
Here’s why I think Proxmox is the way to go:
1. It’s FREE!#
Seriously. The core platform is free. No more crazy licensing fees. They offer paid support, but it’s optional. You can run Proxmox at home or in your business without spending a dime on the software.
2. Open Source = Your Control#
You’re not locked in. You can:
- See the code.
- Contribute to the project.
- Know exactly what’s running.
No more being at the mercy of a big company’s decisions.
3. KVM + LXC = Ultimate Flexibility#
Proxmox gives you the best of both worlds:
- KVM: Full virtualization for maximum isolation.
- LXC: Lightweight containers for efficiency.
Manage both from one simple web interface.
4. Packed with Features#
Don’t let the “free” part fool you. Proxmox has everything you need:
- Live Migration: Move VMs without downtime.
- High Availability (HA): Automatic failover.
- Backups: Easy VM and container backups.
- Storage: Supports all kinds of storage (local, NFS, iSCSI, Ceph).
- Web Interface: Simple and intuitive.
- Ceph Integration: Create a distributed storage solution.
- ZFS Support: Use snapshots and other ZFS features.
5. Great Community#
Lots of users and developers. Tons of:
- Documentation.
- Tutorials.
- Forums.
You’re not alone!
6. Debian’s Stability#
Proxmox is built on Debian, one of the most stable Linux distros out there.
Switching to Proxmox: Easier Than You Think#
Migrating from VMware might seem scary, but it’s not that bad. Proxmox can import VMs from VMware. You can also use tools like qemu-img to convert disk images.
I’ll be posting a step-by-step guide soon. I’ll show you how to break free. If you’re feeling the squeeze from VMware, now is the time to consider your options.
The Future is Open Source: The Future is Proxmox#
For me, it’s a no-brainer. Proxmox is powerful, flexible, and free. VMware is expensive and restrictive.
If you’re still using VMware, it’s time to make the switch.
What do you think about Proxmox? Have you switched? What’s stopping you? Let me know in the comments!
Coming Soon:
- Migrating from VMware to Proxmox: A step-by-step guide.
- My Proxmox Setup: A look at my own configuration.
Links:
- Proxmox VE: https://www.proxmox.com/en/
- My Bare Metal vs Cloud post: https://roethof.net/posts/2025/04/bare-metal-vs-cloud-my-perspective/