OpenShift Virtualization vs. VMware

Many of today’s businesses are rethinking their virtualization strategies. Some, in fact, are even considering a move away from VMware in favor of an alternative: Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization.

While VMware excels at supporting virtual machines and scalable workloads, its licensing model is complicated and expensive. OpenShift, in contrast, is built on Kubernetes and offers a cloud-native alternative to VMware. It may also represent a cheaper option in the long run.

If your team has arrived at the OpenShift Virtualization vs. VMware crossroads, the good news is that you can adopt either solution with RackN’s bare metal provisioning and automation solution. You still need to choose an option first, of course, so here’s what you need to know:

Core Platform Differences

As for what sparked the OpenShift Virtualization vs. VMware debate in the first place, the matter can largely be attributed to the recent scrutiny levied against VMware’s licensing changes and costs. While VMware ESXi is still the leading hypervisor, it’s very costly, and Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization stands as a viable alternative.

The key differences of each ecosystem are as follows:

VMware: The Legacy Standard

VMware’s virtualization suite includes VMware vSphere, ESXi, and vCenter, all of which are cornerstones of enterprise data centers. The company’s hypervisor approach excels at managing VM-heavy workloads and delivering proven reliability at scale, and key features like vMotion for live migration and high availability make it a go-to when organizations prioritize stability and mature tooling.

The biggest complaints about VMware, however, focus on its high costs and licensing complexity, which make its solutions less suitable for containerized workflows.

OpenShift Virtualization: Kubernetes-Native VM Management

Red Hat built OpenShift Virtualization on KubeVirt, an infrastructure that allows you to run virtual machines and containers in one environment. Going cloud-native can support your DevOps workflows and help your team work more efficiently.

In addition to offering Kubernetes integration, OpenShift Virtualization also provides excellent scalability for hybrid clouds and promotes cost savings. If your business is already using Kubernetes, the functionality and feel of OpenShift will be very familiar.

However, moving to Kubernetes for teams who aren’t familiar with it will face a steep learning curve; you must be prepared for some pushback and make sure your team has the support they need if you decide to make the switch.

OpenShift Virtualization, built on Kubernetes, offers a more self-managing and lightweight alternative to VMware’s traditional hypervisor-based approach. Kubernetes’ container-first architecture allows for higher application density and simpler deployment, with less lifecycle management overhead. While Kubernetes platforms are more limited in certain traditional VM use cases, they excel in containerized workflows. The self-healing nature of Kubernetes reduces manual intervention, making OpenShift a compelling choice for teams focused on efficiency and scalability.

Architecture & Automation

When exploring the OpenShift Virtualization vs. VMware comparison, you should focus on how they stack up in terms of architecture and automation capabilities. While the licensing cost conversation is important, functionality matters most.

Different Models, Different Strengths

VMware has mature tools like vMotion, HA, and Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) as well as many third-party tools available. Altogether, its architecture gives you granular control over your operating systems, VM lifecycles, and resources.

On the other hand, OpenShift Virtualization uses a container-first architecture. It leverages Kubernetes’ scalability and orchestration to support hybrid cloud strategies. What makes OpenShift unique is that containers and VMs can coexist.

Both platforms shine in their domains. However, implementing and managing either infrastructure is a complex endeavor, and it’s where automation becomes critical.

Automation Matters

The biggest barrier to bare metal hypervisor implementation is the complexity of the setup and provisioning process. Fortunately, you can overcome these hurdles through automation.

With the power of automation, OpenShift Virtualization seamlessly integrates with DevOps pipelines. You can use Kubernetes operators for declarative management. It’s ideal for teams adopting infrastructure-as-code (IaC).

VMware offers robust automation through vSphere APIs, but isn’t aligned with containerized workflows. If Kubernetes and containerized applications aren’t central to your use cases, VMware may be a good fit.

RackN helps unify both through bare metal automation. Our Digital Rebar platform makes adopting either virtualization platform cost-effective and efficient by reducing the need for manual configuration and ensuring consistency at scale. Whether you’re deploying a single on-premises platform or a hybrid setup, RackN unifies the process with IaC principles.

When to Choose One Over the Other

Ultimately, the OpenShift Virtualization vs. VMware conversation will likely come down to your priorities. Here’s how to decide:

OpenShift Is Ideal For…

Red Hat virtualization is a good fit when any of the following statements are true:

• You’ve Adopted Kubernetes: If your team is already using Kubernetes or OpenShift, virtualization lets you manage VMs and containerized workflows in one platform
• Hybrid Cloud Resource Management Is Vital: OpenShift’s cloud-native architecture supports hybrid or multi-cloud environments
• Your Team Is Cost-Conscious: OpenShift’s open-source roots and subscription-based pricing help you avoid licensing complexities
• You’re Running AI Workloads: OpenShift is ideal for AI tasks as it allows containers to run closer to bare metal and improves efficiency for GPU-heavy tasks.

With Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, at-scale container orchestration is possible. You can reduce costs, support containerized workloads, and support your organization’s long-term modernization goals.

VMware Is Still Strong For…

VMware virtualization solutions make sense when the following apply:

• Your VM Environments Are Mature: Teams with established VMware deployments will benefit from its robust tooling and ecosystem
• Non-Containerized Workloads Are Common: If your applications aren’t container-ready, VMware’s traditional virtualization approach offers excellent stability
• You Need Advanced VM Management: Features like vMotion and DRS give you unmatched control

The bottom line is that VMware is still the premier solution for traditional virtualization management. You’ll have the control and insights necessary to avoid excessive downtime and optimize your computing resources across the entire digital ecosystem.

RackN’s Role in Your Decision

Whether you’re sticking with VMware, transitioning to OpenShift Virtualization, or running both, RackN has you covered. Our Digital Rebar platform automates bare metal provisioning and comprehensive hardware lifecycle management.

With the support of RackN, you can do the following:

• Spin up VMware ESXi or OpenShift Virtualization on bare metal in minutes
• Run both platforms side-by-side on the same hardware, supporting mixed workloads without rework
• Avoid lock-in with a platform-agnostic approach

RackN’s IaC model enforces consistency across large server fleets and reduces errors. Ensure your infrastructure is ready for today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges with RackN.

Settling the OpenShift Virtualization Vs. VMware Debate

Arguably, the entire OpenShift Virtualization vs. VMware debate isn’t about which one is better, but which one is the right fit for your team. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a one-size-fits-all deployment solution, and that’s Digital Rebar.

With RackN, you don’t have to compromise due to concerns about implementation complexity. Take control of your virtualization strategy by exploring our Digital Rebar platform and transform your infrastructure today. Book a demo to get started with Digital Rebar today.