GoKawiilSurvey: 90% of VMware customers exploring alternatives over licensing costs
Rimini Street's '2026 IT Virtualization Survey,' conducted with Unisphere Research across 300 organizations, found that 90% of VMware users are looking at alternative virtualization options because of rising licensing costs, and 54% cited Broadcom's decision to end support for perpetual license holders. The survey also found 73% of respondents rank cost savings as a top priority, while many cite operational complexity, multi-vendor management, security exposure, and skills gaps as barriers to switching.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Rimini Street sells third-party support for VMware and other enterprise software, giving it a commercial incentive to highlight VMware customer dissatisfaction, though the findings echo other independent reports of steep price increases since Broadcom's acquisition. The data suggests many enterprises are stuck weighing cost pressure against the practical risks of migrating complex virtualization environments, which could slow any mass exodus from VMware even as frustration grows.
- 90% of surveyed VMware customers are exploring alternatives due to licensing cost increases.
- 54% point specifically to Broadcom ending support for perpetual license holders as a driver.
- 60% are considering a multi-hypervisor strategy, reflecting interest in more flexible, mixed environments.
Source: slashdot.org, 2026-10-06
Published there as: “Licensing Costs Driving 90% of VMware Users To Explore Options, Survey Finds”
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