Alternatives
A VMware alternative for private and AI cloud
Re-platforming after Broadcom's VMware licensing changes? What to look for in a VMware alternative, where FusioNative fits, and how teams move VMs to KubeVirt.
Last updated · Fusionative
Short answer
FusioNative is a VMware alternative for organizations that want to run virtual machines, Kubernetes and GPU workloads as one private or sovereign cloud on hardware they own. It runs VMs with KubeVirt next to containers, on Ceph storage and Cilium networking, with tenancy, self-service, quotas and metering built in.
| Option | What it is | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Proxmox VE | Open-source KVM hypervisor and containers, with paid support subscriptions | Like-for-like VM hosting at low cost |
| Nutanix AHV | Hypervisor in Nutanix's hyperconverged platform | Turnkey HCI from one vendor |
| Microsoft Hyper-V | Hypervisor in Windows Server and Azure Local | Windows-centric estates |
| Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization | KubeVirt-based VMs on OpenShift | Red Hat shops converging VMs and containers |
| SUSE Virtualization (Harvester) | KubeVirt-based hyperconverged infrastructure | Rancher users and edge |
| FusioNative | Cloud Management Software: KubeVirt VMs, Kubernetes, GPU and model serving with tenancy and metering | Private, sovereign or AI cloud with self-service |
Why teams look
Why teams look for a VMware alternative
Licensing changed after Broadcom's acquisition
Broadcom completed its acquisition of VMware in November 2023 and moved VMware to subscription-only licensing sold as bundles such as VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), priced per core. Many customers reported significantly higher renewal costs.
Bundles include more than some teams need
Customers who ran only vSphere now evaluate whether a full-stack bundle fits, or whether an open platform covers their VMs at lower cost.
AI workloads need a platform built for GPUs
VMware offers Private AI Services with VCF. Teams that are building GPU clouds or multi-tenant AI services also look at platforms where GPU, model serving and metering are the core of the product.
Convergence of VMs and Kubernetes
Running VMs on Kubernetes with KubeVirt lets one team operate both, and lets legacy VMs sit next to modern and AI workloads.
Checklist
What to look for in a replacement
- Runs self-hosted on your hardware, including sovereign and air-gapped installs, with no SaaS control-plane dependency
- Virtual machines and containers on one platform, so VMs and Kubernetes share operations
- Multi-tenancy with self-service, quotas and metering, not only cluster administration
- GPU and model serving built in, for the AI workloads arriving next
- Storage, networking, security and observability integrated rather than assembled
- A licensing model you can forecast, and a migration path that does not need a big-bang cutover
Fit
Where FusioNative fits as a VMware alternative
VMware-class virtual machines
KubeVirt VMs with live migration and node evacuation, HA, snapshots and clones, vTPM and Secure Boot, unattended Windows installs, VM pools with autoscaling, and VMware MAC and IP addresses kept on the move.
A cloud, not only a hypervisor
Tenants, projects, a self-service catalog, quotas, metering and chargeback come with the platform, so internal teams or customers consume it like a cloud.
GPU and AI ready
Model serving with vLLM, SGLang, NVIDIA NIM and Ollama, on NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, in the same platform as your VMs.
Sovereign and air-gapped
The whole control plane installs on your estate, including fully offline, with no SaaS dependency.
When FusioNative is not the right choice
- You depend heavily on VMware-specific features or third-party appliances certified only for vSphere.
- You want a drop-in hypervisor swap with the same operating model and no Kubernetes skills in the team.
- You need only a small number of VMs and no cloud-style self-service or AI capability.
Migration
How teams move
- 1
Inventory and group VMs
List VMs, guests, dependencies and owners; pick low-risk candidates for a pilot.
- 2
Map networks and storage
Translate port groups and datastores to Kubernetes networks and Ceph storage classes.
- 3
Pilot
Import a few VM disks by upload or URL, keep their MAC and IP, add VirtIO drivers, and validate backup (FusionVault) and monitoring.
- 4
Migrate in waves
Move groups during change windows, cold or warm, keeping the source VM until rollback closes.
- 5
Modernize over time
Containerize where it pays off, and add GPU and AI services on the same platform.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best VMware alternative?
It depends on the goal. For a like-for-like hypervisor, teams look at Proxmox, Nutanix AHV or Hyper-V. For a platform that runs VMs and containers together, at KubeVirt-based options such as OpenShift Virtualization, SUSE Harvester or FusioNative. FusioNative fits when you also want a multi-tenant, GPU-ready private or sovereign cloud.
Can KubeVirt replace vSphere?
For many workloads, yes: KubeVirt runs Linux and Windows VMs with live migration on shared storage. Check special cases such as appliances, very large VMs and vSphere-specific features first.
How long does it take to move off VMware?
A pilot takes weeks; full programs take months and are paced by inventory, testing and change windows. Running both platforms during the transition is normal.
Does FusioNative support Windows VMs?
FusioNative runs virtual machines with KubeVirt, which supports Windows guests with VirtIO drivers installed.