VMware renewals have a lot of teams rethinking their virtualization and HCI plans. Two names pop up quickly: Nutanix and Proxmox. They both run VMs well, but they aim at different buyers and comfort levels. If you want an integrated, supported stack with a single throat to choke, Nutanix fits that bill. If you want openness, lower cost, and the freedom to assemble your own storage and backup story, Proxmox is hard to ignore.
Today we’ll break down the similarities, differences, and practical considerations when choosing between Nutanix and Proxmox.
What is Nutanix?
Nutanix is a leading enterprise-grade HCI platform that integrates compute, storage, and virtualization into a single, scalable solution.
Nutanix packages the whole stack: AHV (KVM-based hypervisor), AOS for distributed storage, and Prism for management. You add nodes, Prism discovers them, and the platform handles data placement, HA, and scale-out without much babysitting.
Built-in features cover snapshots/replication, DR options, role-based access, and a healthy dose of sophisticated monitoring and analytics.
Many shops add Nutanix when they need enterprise support, predictable operations, and a clear lifecycle for everything from hypervisor to storage, especially as a familiar path off VMware.
Key features summarized:
- Native hypervisor: AHV (based on KVM)
- AOS: Nutanix’s hyperconverged storage engine
- Prism: Centralized management and monitoring
- Built-in data protection, replication, and disaster recovery
- Enterprise-grade support and services
What is Proxmox?
Proxmox VE is an open-source virtualization platform that runs KVM VMs and LXC containers with a clean web UI and solid CLI/API.
It doesn’t force HCI – use ZFS on a node, build a Ceph cluster, point at a SAN, or mix and match.
Proxmox Backup Server adds deduped, incremental backups with encryption. You can run it for free or buy a subscription for enterprise repositories and support.
Proxmox is popular with SMBs, labs, and teams that prefer flexibility (and the budget that comes with it).
Key features summary:
- Fully open-source software
- KVM and LXC support
- Web-based UI and CLI
- Flexible storage integration (ZFS, Ceph, LVM, NFS, iSCSI, etc.)
- Backup solution: Proxmox Backup Server (PBS)
- Optional enterprise support via subscription
Comparison Between Nutanix and Proxmox
Architecture
Nutanix enforces an HCI first approach, using its proprietary AOS for storage and limiting third-party integrations. It works best when used as a complete, all-in-one stack.
Proxmox, by contrast, is open and modular. It supports various storage configurations, including traditional SANs and third-party software-defined storage like Ceph or StarWind. This flexibility allows Proxmox to be deployed in many more scenarios.
Clustering and HA
Nutanix clustering is robust and enterprise-focused, offering advanced features like data locality, replication, automatic healing, and seamless scale-out capabilities.
Proxmox offers clustering with Node Majority HA and fencing, but lacks some of the enterprise polish and automation of Nutanix. For many, it still offers enough capability, especially when paired with Ceph or similar storage provider.
Storage and Storage Clustering
Nutanix relies heavily on its AOS storage engine and integrates storage tightly with compute. This ensures predictable performance but locks users into the Nutanix stack.
Proxmox supports various storage backends and is compatible with distributed storage engines like Ceph, ZFS, and external SAN or VSAN solutions. This provides more options but requires more setup and tuning.
Management
Nutanix uses Prism it is a unified, intuitive UI for managing virtual machines, clusters, and storage.
Proxmox offers a web UI and command-line tools. It also supports a multi cluster manager for managing multiple datacenters. While not as polished as Prism, it is still user-friendly and powerful.
Backup
Nutanix offers built-in data protection, replication, and disaster recovery. Integration with third-party enterprise backup tools is also available.
Proxmox has Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) – a native, open-source backup solution supporting incremental backups, deduplication, and encryption. Also, 3rd party backup vendors with similar feature-set can be used (something like Veeam, CommVault, etc.).
Support
Nutanix excels in enterprise support with 24/7 SLAs, proactive issue resolution, and integrated vendor support.
Proxmox offers paid support subscriptions but is often seen as more community-driven. Enterprises needing high-touch support may find limitations compared to Nutanix.
Nutanix vs Proxmox Comparison Table
| Feature | Nutanix | Proxmox |
|---|---|---|
| Hypervisor | AHV (KVM-based) | KVM (native), LXC (containers) |
| HCI Architecture | Mandatory AOS (HCI-only) | Optional (supports external) |
| Storage | AOS, tightly integrated | ZFS, Ceph, SAN, etc. |
| Management UI | Prism | Web UI + CLI |
| Backup | Built-in, 3rd party integrations | Proxmox Backup Server (PBS), 3rd party integrations |
| Clustering | Highly automated, advanced HA features in a single pane | Manual setup, basic HA features that can be extended by 3rd party vendors |
| Licensing Model | Subscription (tiered: Starter, Pro, Ultimate) | Subscription (community or enterprise tiers) |
| Enterprise Support | 24/7 support, proactive monitoring, SLA-backed response times | Optional; business hours only, slower response times, limited scope |
Licensing and Pricing
Both Nutanix and Proxmox follow a subscription-based licensing model. However, Nutanix pricing is significantly higher and often tailored to large-scale deployments with enterprise support included.
Proxmox, on the other hand, offers a more accessible pricing model and a completely free version for non-enterprise use, making it attractive for startups, labs, and smaller environments.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Nutanix and Proxmox depends on your business needs, budget, and technical expertise. Both Nutanix and Proxmox can carry production. The better choice depends on whether you want an integrated, supported stack (Nutanix) or a flexible, open platform you can shape to your environment (Proxmox).
If you’re leaving VMware, map the non-negotiables first – support model, storage design, backup tooling, DR goals, and run a short pilot against them. The winner is the one that makes day-two work boring and predictable.
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