Exploring VMware Alternatives and Migration Challenges

As the virtualization landscape evolves, VMware alternatives are increasing, but transitioning away is challenging. This paper explores options like open-source hypervisors Proxmox VE and Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, and private hypervisors from Microsoft, Oracle, and Nutanix. Backup vendors like Veeam, HPE, and Rubrik are expanding support, but a mass exodus from VMware is unlikely due to its entrenchment and migration complexity. Organizations may start with smaller workloads on alternatives, but most will remain with VMware for its enterprise support. The virtualization landscape is diversifying, offering more options.