As organizations consider alternatives to VMware in light of Broadcom’s ownership, Gartner’s latest report underscores the complexities, costs, and risks involved in such a move. The analysis, “Estimating a Large-Scale VMware Migration,” reveals that migrating off VMware could take 18 to 48 months and cost between $300 and $3,000 per virtual machine (VM) for enterprises running over 2,000 VMs across 100 servers.

Michael Warrilow, VP Analyst at Gartner, emphasizes that these transitions require extensive planning due to the intertwined nature of VMware’s ecosystem. Companies relying on VMware for networking, storage, and management tools will face significant challenges disentangling these components. Warrilow notes that shifting hypervisors is just one aspect—reconfiguring networks, storage solutions, and disaster recovery systems will amplify the complexity.

“Many VMware customers haven’t started migration plans, with most waiting to see what others are doing,” Warrilow explains. This hesitation, he warns, could result in wasted time and inflated costs. Broadcom’s two-to-three-year licensing cycles may force many organizations to renegotiate terms mid-project, potentially at higher prices.

Amid these challenges, Red Hat has introduced its “OpenShift Virtualization Engine,” designed for users seeking straightforward virtualization without a full shift to containerization. The platform offers unlimited VM licenses on single- or dual-socket servers and is compatible with both on-premises and cloud environments.

While Warrilow acknowledges Red Hat’s offering as cost-competitive, he suggests Oracle’s virtualization pricing may present an even better value.

Broadcom asserts that VMware’s Cloud Foundation suite offers advanced private cloud capabilities, touting it as an efficient and cost-effective alternative to public clouds. Still, Gartner likens VMware to a “new mainframe,” signaling that many organizations may retain it for applications deemed too risky to re-platform.

For enterprises weighing their options, Gartner’s advice is clear: start planning now. Delays not only increase costs but also extend reliance on existing licensing agreements, which Broadcom may adjust unfavorably in the future. Early preparation could be the key to navigating these transitions effectively and mitigating the long-term financial and operational risks of a VMware migration.