Growing Dissatisfaction with VMware Among Customers: Gartner Forecasts a Shift in Hybrid Cloud Platforms
Gartner, a leading research and advisory firm, has predicted a significant shift in the landscape of hybrid cloud platforms, signaling growing dissatisfaction among VMware customers with the management under Broadcom. According to Gartner’s latest findings, more than 55% of VMware clients are expected to evaluate alternative hybrid cloud platforms by the year 2029. This marks a significant increase from the 25% anticipated in 2026, illustrating how rapidly attitudes are evolving within the enterprise space.
The timing of this evaluation surge coincides with the expiration of many three-year subscriptions that companies purchased prior to Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware in 2023. This transition period could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of VMware’s position in the market, as organizations begin to reconsider their commitments.
Despite Gartner’s consistent ranking of VMware as a leader in both the distributed hybrid infrastructure and server virtualization markets, there are red flags that indicate potential issues ahead for this virtualization giant. Praised for its core virtualization technology and innovations within its sovereign cloud ecosystem and AI-native infrastructure capabilities, VMware’s reputation is nonetheless marred by an increasing number of customer complaints that suggest broader operational concerns.
At the heart of customer dissatisfaction lies Broadcom’s transition to a per-core subscription pricing model. Clients have reported substantial cost increases tied to this change, raising questions about the economic feasibility of remaining with VMware. Additionally, Gartner has documented a notable rise in negative sentiments regarding VMware’s communication practices, overall commercial strategies, and delays in support responses—factors that have resulted in customers feeling less valued compared to competitors in the market.
The rigidity observed during contract negotiations has forced many IT leaders to actively pursue migration options to alternate platforms. This shift is further compounded by concerns about cumbersome pricing structures, inadequate support, and ineffective communication. Such issues are paving the way for what Gartner anticipates will be a notable increase in the evaluation of alternative platforms in the coming years.
Switching from VMware to another platform remains a daunting task; organizations often find the migration process intricate and fraught with risks. Nutanix’s CEO, Rajiv Ramaswami, stressed that the transition will likely take several years before many customers feel adequately prepared to make the switch. The upcoming renewal period in 2026, for those who acquired three-year subscriptions prior to Broadcom’s takeover, may serve as a critical window for decision-making, further accentuating 2029 as a potential turning point for enterprises considering exits from VMware.
In response to this growing unrest, VMware has taken steps to enhance its offerings, concentrating efforts on refining its entry-level vSphere Standard product to retain current users. However, security and infrastructure teams are urged to begin evaluating alternative platforms promptly, even if the timelines for migration may extend several years into the future.
Gartner has identified notable contenders in the distributed hybrid infrastructure space, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Nutanix, Microsoft, and Oracle, all of which stand alongside VMware. Each alternative possesses unique challenges: Nutanix has faced criticism over its complicated licensing and higher-than-anticipated costs, while AWS Local Zones are known to impose substantial price premiums ranging between 15-35%. Microsoft users often have to navigate disjointed management consoles, adding complexity to administrative tasks.
Given these varied challenges, organizations are advised to conduct thorough return on investment (ROI) analyses and engage in proof-of-concept testing before committing to migration endeavors. Evaluating potential alternative platforms is not just an exercise in cost analysis but aligns with broader strategic business objectives.
As the hybrid cloud landscape continues to evolve, organizations may need to remain agile and receptive to shifting technological trends, ensuring that their infrastructure choices align not only with their current needs but also with future expansion and innovation goals. The upcoming years are likely to be crucial in determining if VMware can address its customer concerns effectively and fortify its position in the hybrid cloud market or face a significant exodus of clients seeking better options elsewhere.