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IBM PowerVM vs VMware Workstation comparison

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IBM PowerVM
Read 28 IBM PowerVM reviews
2,711 views|2,322 comparisons
95% willing to recommend
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VMware Workstation
Read 42 VMware Workstation reviews
9,057 views|6,336 comparisons
95% willing to recommend
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Buyer's Guide
Server Virtualization Software
May 2024
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM PowerVM and VMware Workstation based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Proxmox, VMware, Microsoft and others in Server Virtualization Software.
To learn more, read our detailed Server Virtualization Software Report (Updated: May 2024).
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772,679 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Anonymous User
The best option for managing direct licensing
PowerVM allows us to pay for a license only for the allocated scope, unlike IBM PowerVM, for which we have to license the whole hardware.
Ajmal Abbas
Good features and makes deploying VMs easy but could be more robust
I'm using it for my personal use, for testing. If I want to know how things are working, then I will test it using Workstation.
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"PowerVM is perhaps the only virtualization platform that offers 99.999% availability.""The tool's performance is top-notch.""You can increase resources with it automatically.""The stability is the most valuable aspect of this solution. IBM is the most powerful and stable platform.""The most valuable features in this solution are you do not get degradation in the performance like you could get in other solutions. There is a physical adapter that is better than a virtual one and you can assign adapters to a VM.""Technical support is great.""IBM PowerVM's most valuable feature is stability.""It is a stable solution with reliable performance."

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"We are able to simultaneously run multiple operating systems in a single machine and have virtually no performance hit.""It's stable.""The performance is good.""VMware Workstation allows multiple operating systems in the same physical machine.""The initial setup is simple and takes only five minutes to complete.""VMware Workstation’s most valuable features are backup and data transfer from one server to another.""The features are good.""The product works well."

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Cons
"The interface is not user-friendly in places, so it could use some improvement.""PowerVM's platform build and performance could be improved.""Automatic LPM is an area that is currently not available in IBM PowerVM, and it is a feature I want to see in the product's future releases.""The hardware licensing model could be improved because the licensing model is a bit different from the standard hardware procured.""The performance should be improved.""The cost of this solution is high.""Any improvements that can be made in the interface will go a long way to helping us work better.""The program has very limited solutions for the virtualization of containers"

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"VMware Workstation has some network limitations which could improve, it is not as flexible as VMware NSX. Additionally, it could support operating systems better. I only run some Linux versions and Windows at the moment but it would be nice to be able to take whatever operating system you want and run it.""The solution can be expensive.""The solution freezes sometimes.""The product’s virtual machine data backup feature needs upgrading.""I have had issues with the virtual network adapters in the past that has taken some time to troubleshoot.""I would want to see features included that make deployment easier.""VMware Workstation uses more resources like CPU and disk space, especially the CPU, which is a shortcoming that needs improvement.""It could have more platforms and CPUs."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The price varies from case to case and you have to negotiate it for every project."
  • "The license cost is bundled with IBM Power Systems as it is limited to RISC-based IBM systems only."
  • "IBM PowerVM costs more than other products but the customer does not need to pay additional money for the licenses. In VMware, you need to license everything. With IBM PowerVM it is unlimited and all-inclusive in the price you pay."
  • "The price of the solution could improve, it is expensive."
  • "We have to purchase the product's licenses."
  • "The solution is expensive."
  • "The pricing for PowerVM is on the higher. Regarding the license, it can be on a monthly or annual basis, depending on the deal. Customers may choose to pay annually, one-time, or monthly based on their agreement with the sales team. As for additional costs, customers need to pay for support if they opt for it. If not, they only pay for the hardware cost as per the agreement."
  • "Even if the product is expensive, it works well in the long term. The tool is more or less expensive, and I would presently describe it as an optimally priced product."

    • More IBM PowerVM Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The pricing is a bit steep in my opinion for testing and there are other options."
  • "Licensing costs are paid on a yearly basis."
  • "The licensing costs are cheap. I pay approximately $100 per year."
  • "The cost differs depending on the customer's requirement."
  • "VMware Workstation has a high price than competitors in the market."
  • "With a VDI solution, there is always extra cost running a VDI solution but it's not for cost purposes anymore. In the beginning, it was to save money on hardware but at the moment it's other aspects that are more important why you should use a VDI solution."
  • "Licensing fees are paid on an annual basis."
  • "The price of the solution per workstation is approximately 200 Francs annually. We pay a total of 800 francs. Everything is included in the price such as the support."

    • More VMware Workstation Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    What do you like most about IBM PowerVM?
    Top Answer:Managing other operating systems is also straightforward with IBM PowerVM.
    Read all 22 answers   →
    What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM PowerVM?
    Top Answer:The pricing for PowerVM is on the higher side. Regarding the license, it can be on a monthly or annual basis, depending on the deal. Customers may choose to pay annually, one-time, or monthly based on… more »
    Read all 13 answers   →
    What needs improvement with IBM PowerVM?
    Top Answer:As I understand it, IBM sells all its hardware to Lenovo, and only PCs servers are managed by IBM. It's uncertain how much longer IBM will continue in this way, especially with the current trend of… more »
    Read all 22 answers   →
    Which VMware solution would you go with - Workstation or vSphere?
    Top Answer:VM Workstation’s setup is so easy, you can use it almost instantly, it works well with Windows and Linux. We like VM Workstation primarily to test environments to determine how well a solution will… more »
    Read all 4 answers   →
    What do you like most about VMware Workstation?
    Top Answer:The product is stable, very easy to deploy, easy to use, easy to configure, and easy to set up.
    Read all 28 answers   →
    What needs improvement with VMware Workstation?
    Top Answer:The product's integration capabilities are an area with certain shortcomings where improvements are required.
    Read all 28 answers   →
    Ranking
    9th
    out of 20 in Server Virtualization Software
    Views
    2,711
    Comparisons
    2,322
    Reviews
    11
    Average Words per Review
    403
    Rating
    8.2
    2nd
    out of 32 in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
    Views
    9,057
    Comparisons
    6,336
    Reviews
    29
    Average Words per Review
    348
    Rating
    8.7
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    PowerVM
    Learn More
    IBM
    VMware
    Overview
    Power is server virtualization without limits. Businesses are turning to PowerVM server virtualization to consolidate multiple workloads onto fewer systems, increasing server utilization and reducing cost. PowerVM provides a secure and scalable server virtualization environment for AIX, IBM i and Linux applications built upon the advanced RAS features and leading performance of the Power Systems platform.

    VMware Workstation is part of a suite of robust Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) tools or Desktop Hypervisors that allows users to run Kubernetes clusters, containers, and Virtual Machines (VMs). Users have the option to choose between VMware Workstation Pro or VMware Workstation Player to ensure that they get the most out of their VMware Workstation experience.

    Workstation Player is best used as a command line or single graphical operation. It works very well for running different operating systems using a secure cloistered sandbox on a general consumer PC. Workstation Player is an industry favorite for use in an educational environment to better expand the knowledge concerning computer systems and global information technology. Workstation Pro is created for astute IT developers and professionals. The solution provides an intuitive next-generation interface and gives users the ability to seamlessly run several virtual machines at the same time. Users can easily create clones, configure virtual networks, connect to vSphere, and more, using a crisp, visually enhanced dashboard that provides full transparency to show multiple VMs and more.

    VMware Workstation solutions rely on components in next-generation 64-bit x86 CPUs to develop robust, secure VMs that are able to utilize many different operating systems and all of their applications. VMware Workstation’s modern technology intuitively links the physical hardware devices to the virtual machine's virtual resources enabling each VM to have its own I/O devices, memory, disks, and CPU in addition to the equivalent of a standard x86 actual machine. It easily installs onto the host operating system and is able to offer comprehensive hardware support by utilizing the device support from the original host.

    VMware Workstation Benefits

    VMware Workstation has many desirable benefits. Some of those benefits include:


    • Improved overall IT processes.
    • Better, more efficient deployment outcomes.
    • Enhanced application performance.
    • Better server availability.
    • Less physical hardware and additional devices needed.
    • Cost-effective.
    • Decreased outages or downtime.
    • Faster provisioning of applications and resources.
    • Reduced power consumption.
    • Reduced Environmental Impact.



    Reviews from Real Users

    Walter G., Owner at Secacon Gygli Engineering LLC says, “The most valuable feature of the VMware Workstation is the ease of creating a development environment. When you have different ongoing developments, you often need to create a lot of different development environments. With this workstation solution, you can have a development environment for all the things you develop.” 

    Toni L., CEO at Virtual Consultants Sverige AB says, “The most valuable features of VMware Workstation are the DirectX support; you can run Microsoft Hyper-V in virtual environments, which is good for me to test different installations. Additionally, you can set up different VLANs, and overall it is a complete solution.” 


    “Having a user-friendly interfaceis important for me. I'm not a coder, even though I do a little bit of programming. Also, I don't use the command-line interface when I can avoid it. When I do have to use it, I look up what I'm supposed to type and then type it.” A PeerSpot user who is a Chief Technical Officer at a construction company.

    are Workstation is part of a suite of robust Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) tools or Desktop Hypervisors that allows users to run Kubernetes clusters, containers, and Virtual Machines (VMs). Users have the option to choose between VMware Workstation Pro or VMware Workstation Player to ensure they get the most out of their VMware Workstation experience.

    Workstation Player is best used as a command line or single graphical operation. It works very well for running different operating systems using a secure cloistered sandbox on a general consumer PC. Workstation Player is an industry favorite for use in an educational environment to better expand the knowledge concerning computer systems and global information technology. Workstation Pro is created for astute IT developers and professionals. The solution provides an intuitive next generation interface and gives users the ability to run seamlessly several virtual machines at the same time. Users can easily create clones, configure virtual networks, connect to vSphere, and more using a crisp, visually enhanced dashboard that provides full transparency to show multiple VMs and more.

    VMware Workstation solutions rely on components in next-generation 64-bit x86 CPUs to develop robust, secure VMs that are able to utilize many different operating systems and all of their applications. Vmware Workstation’s modern technology intuitively links the physical hardware devices to the virtual machine's virtual resources enabling each VM to have its own I/O devices, memory, disks, and CPU in addition to the equivalent to a standard x86 actual machine.VMware easily installs onto the host operating system and is able to offer comprehensive hardware support by utilizing the device support from the original host.

    VMware Workstation Benefits

    Vmware Workstation has many desirable benefits. Some of those benefits include:


    • Improved overall IT processes.
    • Better, more efficient deployment outcomes.
    • Enhanced application performance.
    • Better server availability.
    • Less physical hardware and additional devices needed.
    • Cost-effective.
    • Decreased outages or downtime.
    • Faster provisioning of applications and resources.
    • Reduced power consumption.
    • Reduced Environmental Impact.



    Reviews from Real Users

    “The most valuable feature of the VMware Workstation is the ease of creating a development environment. When you have different ongoing developments, you often need to create a lot of different development environments. With this workstation solution, you can have a development environment for all the things you develop.” Walter G., Owner at Secacon Gygli Engineering LLC

    “The most valuable features of VMware Workstation are the DirectX support; you can run Microsoft Hyper-V in virtual environments, which is good for me to test different installations. Additionally, you can set up different VLANs, and overall it is a complete solution.” Toni L., CEO at Virtual Consultants Sverige AB

    A Chief Technical Officer at a construction company says,“Having a user-friendly interfaceis important for me. I'm not a coder, even though I do a little bit of programming. Also, I don't use the command-line interface when I can avoid it. When I do have to use it, I look up what I'm supposed to type and then type it.” 

    Sample Customers
    Sto, Soitec, SNO, Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH, Al Mansour Holding, Baptist Health of Northeast Florida, Huhtamaki, ELK Group, IT-Informatik, Arkansas Tech University, Pneuhage
    Akademiska Hus
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm25%
    Computer Software Company25%
    Consumer Goods Company19%
    Government13%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company21%
    Financial Services Firm13%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Government6%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company23%
    Manufacturing Company19%
    Construction Company8%
    University8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company15%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    Government9%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business38%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise48%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business24%
    Midsize Enterprise12%
    Large Enterprise64%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business47%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise31%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise56%
    Buyer's Guide
    Server Virtualization Software
    May 2024
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    IBM PowerVM is ranked 9th in Server Virtualization Software with 28 reviews while VMware Workstation is ranked 2nd in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) with 42 reviews. IBM PowerVM is rated 8.4, while VMware Workstation is rated 8.8. The top reviewer of IBM PowerVM writes "A stable system for high-end data processing with a great support structure". On the other hand, the top reviewer of VMware Workstation writes "An easy-to-manage solution that has really good customer support compared to other market players". IBM PowerVM is most compared with VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, KVM, Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) and Proxmox VE, whereas VMware Workstation is most compared with Hyper-V, VMware vSphere, VMware Fusion, KVM and Proxmox VE.

    We monitor all Server Virtualization Software reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.