VMware vs Nutanix: Pros, Cons and Use Cases

Exploring virtualisation solutions for your business? There are plenty of options out there. 

You’ll probably come across both VMware and Nutanix in your hunt for the perfect platform. “But how do we choose between the two?”, we hear you ask. The answers lie below.  

These two virtualisation juggernauts offer distinctly different approaches. So we’ve put together an article breaking down what features each platform has, their strengths and weaknesses, and which might be the right fit for your specific needs. 

Virtualisation lets you run multiple virtual machines on one physical server. This saves space and resources. VMware and Nutanix both use virtualisation to help you get more power and flexibility from your hardware. 

What is Nutanix? 

Nutanix is a pioneering provider of hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions.  

HCI combines storage, computing, and networking into a single, integrated platform, helping to simplify data centre operations. Nutanix’s approach focuses on delivering an all-in-one solution with built-in management tools that unify your entire infrastructure. 

Their platform is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, with a focus on reducing complexity whilst still providing enterprise-grade performance. Nutanix uses its own hypervisor called AHV (Acropolis Hypervisor), though it also supports VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V subject to the hardware. 

What is VMware? 

VMware, on the other hand, is renowned for its traditional virtualisation technology. Many businesses have relied on VMware’s vSphere and ESXi hypervisor for years to run their virtual machines. VMware’s approach focuses on providing a strong, feature-rich platform with extensive control and customisation options for your virtual environment. 

(If you’re interested in comparing VMware with other virtualisation solutions, we’ve previously written about the best VMware alternatives to help you understand the differences between other platforms.) 

Hypervisors: VMware vSphere vs Nutanix AHV 

The hypervisor is what runs your virtual machines. VMware’s hypervisor, vSphere (ESXi), is popular for its reliability, advanced features, and big user community. 

Nutanix AHV is built into Nutanix’s platform. It’s simple to use and doesn’t require extra licensing fees.  

Hyperconverged infrastructure 

VMware offers HCI through VMware vSAN, which works alongside vSphere to create a software-defined data centre. This solution requires separate management tools and can involve more complexity when setting up and scaling. 

Nutanix was built from the ground up as an HCI solution, with a unified platform that integrates computing, storage, and virtualisation in one system. This approach often results in easier deployment and management. 

Management and simplicity 

VMware uses vCenter as its primary management console. While powerful, vCenter can be complex, especially as your environment grows. Tasks like upgrades and monitoring might need more manual intervention or separate tools. 

Nutanix offers Prism, a user-friendly interface that provides one-click management for virtual machines, storage, and networking. The dashboard is quite intuitive, so you can perform updates, manage workloads, and monitor performance easily. 

Cost considerations 

VMware typically uses a per-CPU or per-core licensing model, which can lead to higher costs when scaling up infrastructure. Larger environments may see costs rise quickly as each new server or virtual machine adds more licensing fees. 

Nutanix often offers node-based or capacity-based pricing, making costs more predictable, especially if you plan to scale by adding extra nodes. This model can be more flexible for those with limited budgets or those who need to plan costs ahead. 

Storage capabilities 

VMware traditionally relies on SAN (Storage Area Network) and NAS (Network Attached Storage) systems. These might need more work to integrate with other storage types or to handle certain workloads outside standard VMs. 

Nutanix is built around software-defined storage, combining storage and computing on the same hardware. This approach eliminates the need for separate storage networks and offers more flexibility in how you scale up resources. 

Scalability 

VMware offers solid scalability options, but expanding your infrastructure might involve more planning, including storage and network expansion considerations. 

Nutanix is designed for easy scalability, allowing you to add new nodes with minimal effort. The system automatically handles data distribution and workload management as you expand. 

Performance 

VMware’s performance depends largely on the underlying hardware and can be optimised for specific workloads, but might suffer from latency if storage arrays are busy. 

Nutanix typically offers lower latency since storage is close to the applications on each node, potentially resulting in better overall performance for many workloads. 

Security and networking 

VMware uses NSX for software-defined networking, offering extensive network virtualisation capabilities and strong micro-segmentation for security. 

Nutanix provides Flow for application-level micro-segmentation and Acropolis for unified management of networking, compute, and storage resources. 

VMware has been around for years, and while it’s not always the simplest option, there’s a reason it’s still dominating data centres worldwide. It’s the virtualisation equivalent of a Swiss Army knife with all the attachments. Perhaps more than you’ll ever need, but brilliant when you do need that specific tool. 

Pros 

1. Established ecosystem: VMware has a mature platform with extensive third-party integrations and a large community of experts. 
2. Advanced features: Offers loads of tools for complex environments and specialised workloads. 
3. Enterprise-grade reliability: Long track record of stability and performance in large enterprise deployments. 
4. Multi-cloud capabilities: Strong support for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments 
5. Wide hardware compatibility: Works with a vast range of server, storage, and networking hardware. 

Cons 

1. Complex licensing: Can be difficult to understand and potentially expensive as you scale. 
2. Steep learning curve: Needs specialised knowledge to set up and maintain optimally. 
3. Potentially higher costs: The per-CPU licensing model can lead to big expenses in large environments. 
4. Resource overhead: The hypervisor might consume more resources compared to some alternatives. 
5. Hardware dependencies: Performance can vary based on underlying hardware configurations. 

Some find Nutanix to be refreshingly straightforward in the often-overcomplicated world of enterprise IT. Nutanix aims for simplification without compromising on performance. It’s designed with the admin experience in mind, focusing on making daily operations smoother rather than adding endless features that most organisations rarely use. 

While it might not have VMware’s decades of market presence, Nutanix has established itself as a serious contender that prioritises efficiency and user experience. 

Pros 

1. Simplified management: Intuitive interface with less complexity for day-to-day operations. 
2. Predictable scaling: It’s easy to grow your infrastructure by simply adding nodes. 
3. Cost-efficient licensing: Nutanix often has more predictable costs, especially when scaling. 
4. One-click operations: Many common tasks can be performed with minimal effort, sometimes with a single click. 
5. Built-in storage features: Including native deduplication, compression, and data protection. 

Cons 

1. Smaller ecosystem: Fewer third-party integrations compared to VMware. 
2. Less mature platform: Relatively newer in the market compared to VMware. 
3. Feature parity: May lack some of the more advanced features found in VMware. 
4. Community size: Smaller user community for troubleshooting and knowledge sharing. 
5. Migration complexity: Moving from existing VMware environments might require careful planning. 
6. Server Hardware: Not all hardware is supported in Nutanix
7. Storage: The Nutanix host use the local storage on hosts to store the virtual machines meaning you cannot store these on your existing SAN

Large enterprise environments often benefit most from VMware’s solutions. When you’re managing many virtual machines across multiple data centres, VMware’s mature platform provides the extensive control and customisation options you need for such complex ecosystems. The platform’s management capabilities become increasingly valuable as your environment scales, so your IT team can maintain consistent performance across diverse workloads. 

Legacy system integration is another area where VMware shines. Many organisations have accumulated various systems over decades, creating complex tech portfolios. VMware has developed its platform with compatibility in mind, with extensive support for older hardware and software that might otherwise be difficult to integrate. This makes VMware particularly valuable for industries like finance or healthcare, where legacy applications are often business-critical. 

For environments with specialised workloads, VMware’s big feature set has significant advantages. Whether you’re running intensive database operations, real-time analytics, or resource-hungry ERP systems, VMware has fine-grained controls to optimise performance. The platform’s resource allocation capabilities mean you can prioritise mission-critical applications exactly when you need them. 

Organisations with complex networking needs typically gravitate toward VMware’s NSX capabilities. The platform allows you to create intricate network setups with detailed security policies, and manage everything through a unified interface. This is especially valuable for companies with multi-tiered applications, strict compliance requirements, or sophisticated security architectures that demand granular control over network traffic. 

Finally, if you’re pursuing a multi-hypervisor strategy, VMware has some really good. integration options. Many enterprises maintain diverse hypervisor environments for redundancy or specialised workloads. VMware’s management tools can extend visibility across these different environments, helping with operational consistency even when using multiple virtualisation technologies at the same time. 

Mid-sized businesses tend to find Nutanix’s balance of power and accessibility particularly appealing. Without the large IT departments of enterprise organisations, these companies benefit from Nutanix’s more intuitive interface and simplified management approach. The platform generally has enterprise-grade capabilities without needing super specialised staff knowledge. 

For new infrastructure deployments, Nutanix provides an easier solution that eliminates many traditional headaches. When you’re building from the ground up rather than integrating with legacy systems, Nutanix’s unified approach allows for speedy implementation. 

Budget-conscious organisations can enjoy Nutanix’s more transparent and predictable cost structure. The node-based pricing model makes it straightforward to forecast expenses as you scale, without the surprise licensing costs that sometimes come with growth in other platforms. And the simplified management can reduce operational overhead, potentially allowing your team to manage more resources with fewer staff members. 

Remote/branch offices can be ideal deployment scenarios for Nutanix. These locations typically lack on-site IT specialists, so Nutanix’s automated management and simplified troubleshooting can be really handy. The platform’s ability to manage distributed infrastructure from a central console helps keep things consistent across locations while minimising the need for technical visits to remote sites. 

VDI deployments particularly benefit from Nutanix’s architecture. Virtual desktop infrastructure demands consistent performance and reliable user experiences, which align nicely with Nutanix’s strengths. The platform’s low-latency storage approach and automated resource balancing help with smooth operation even during usage spikes, like morning login pile-ons when hundreds of employees access their virtual desktops at the same time. 

Both VMware and Nutanix integrate with Azure, but they take different approaches that might influence your decision. 

VMware’s approach to Azure comes through Azure VMware Solution (AVS), which lets you run your VMware workloads natively on Azure infrastructure. This provides a relatively easy experience if you’re already invested in the VMware ecosystem, so you can extend your on-premises VMware environment to the Azure cloud without rearchitecting applications. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for a lift-and-shift migration path with minimal disruption. 

Nutanix, meanwhile, has been developing increasingly tight integration with Azure. The Nutanix Cloud Platform with Azure Native Services offers particularly good capabilities for organisations looking to bridge their on-premises Nutanix environment with Azure. Using this, you can: 

• Rehost your enterprise apps to Azure with zero changes 
• Use Azure resources on-demand for temporary burst requirements 
• Simplify integration of existing applications with cloud native services running in Azure 

This approach gives you flexibility for extending your enterprise IT to the public cloud. 

For organisations already committed to Azure, Nutanix’s cloud-native approach can offer more streamlined integration with Azure services. While VMware does have reliable connectivity through AVS, Nutanix’s is more cloud-native, potentially offering better integration with Azure’s services. 

When deciding between VMware and Nutanix, there’s a few things to think about. Firstly: compatibility. 

VMware has one of the most extensive partner ecosystems in the industry, with longstanding relationships with nearly every major hardware and software vendor. This means you’ll rarely encounter compatibility issues when integrating with existing systems. The platform’s maturity has also resulted in a vast community of certified professionals and abundant documentation. 

Nutanix, while having a smaller ecosystem, has been making decent strides in expanding its partnerships recently. Most notably, the recent collaboration between Cisco and Nutanix is a big development in the HCI market. This partnership combines Cisco’s UCS server technology with Nutanix’s software-defined infrastructure, giving customers more choices and flexibility with HCI solutions. 

Both platforms support various hypervisors, though VMware naturally works best with its own vSphere, while Nutanix offers its native AHV hypervisor at no additional cost. Nutanix also supports running on VMware ESXi, providing flexibility for organisations considering a gradual migration. 

Other things to consider include: 

1. Technical expertise: Consider your team’s experience and the learning curve associated with each platform. 
2. Growth projections: How quickly do you expect to scale, and which licensing model aligns better with your growth? 
3. Budget constraints: Both initial costs and long-term operational expenses should factor into your decision. 
4. Workload requirements: Some specific applications may perform better on one platform versus the other. 
5. Management preferences: Consider whether your team values simplicity or extensive control options. 

So how do you choose which one to go for? 

You could always try a trial. Nutanix offers a Test Drive program that allows you to experience their HCI platform firsthand before making a commitment. This free trial gives you hands-on access to the Nutanix environment, helping you understand its features and capabilities in a practical setting. 

You could also speak to experts for some advice. 

At Synextra, we’re a boutique cloud MSP with experience in all things infrastructure related. We bring a human touch to tech decisions that many corporate giants overlook. Our team has extensive experience with all the major virtualisation platforms, and we’d love to help you make the best choice for your exact situation. 

Ready to explore your options? Contact us today.