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Head-to-head · Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions

HPE SimpliVity vs StarWind HyperConverged Appliance

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score HPE SimpliVity #2 in Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Contact HPE
StarWind HyperConverged Appliance #8 in Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions 6.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 3 features Contact StarWind

HPE SimpliVity leads on 1 check, StarWind HyperConverged Appliance on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHPE SimpliVity · 8.2/10
  • Most featuresHPE SimpliVity · 2 of 3

HPE SimpliVity scores higher on our rubric for hyperconverged infrastructure (hci) solutions: 8.2 against 6.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

HPE SimpliVity offers integrated backup; StarWind HyperConverged Appliance doesn't publish it.

HPE SimpliVity is the better fit for organizations seeking an integrated HPE HCI appliance. StarWind HyperConverged Appliance is the better fit for small and distributed sites needing prebuilt HCI.

  • HPE SimpliVity fits best

    Organizations seeking an integrated HPE HCI appliance

  • StarWind HyperConverged Appliance fits best

    Small and distributed sites needing prebuilt HCI

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature HPE SimpliVity 8.2/10 Visit ↗ StarWind HyperConverged Appliance 6.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 6.6
Ranking #2 in Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions #8 in Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions
Best for Organizations seeking an integrated HPE HCI appliance Small and distributed sites needing prebuilt HCI
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Support Docs Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 3 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features HPE SimpliVity 2/3 · StarWind HyperConverged Appliance 1/3
Kubernetes support Not published Not published
Integrated backup ✓ (best) Not published
Stretch clusters ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model On-premises On-premises
Maximum cluster nodes Not published Not published
Maximum virtual machines Not published Not published
Hardware delivery model Appliance Appliance
Our review
Pros
  • Combines compute and storage in HPE server-based HCI nodes
  • Includes VM lifecycle operations, backup, restore and built-in protection
  • Supports two-node high availability and selected stretch-cluster configurations
  • Combines compute, storage, networking, virtualization, and management in one appliance
  • Supports vSphere, Hyper-V, and Proxmox VE with synchronous replication and failover
  • Centralizes multi-cluster monitoring and supports stretched or geo-clustering
Cons
  • Requires an HPE hardware and software quote rather than published standard pricing
  • Stretch clustering depends on supported configurations
  • Choice of VMware or VM Essentials depends on model and configuration
  • Requires a quote rather than offering published appliance pricing
  • Physical appliance is on-premises and self-hosted, not a cloud service
  • Designed around a preconfigured appliance, not a standalone software deployment
Our verdict

HPE SimpliVity brings compute, storage and virtualization capabilities together in HPE server-based hyperconverged systems. It is aimed at organizations running virtualized data-center or edge workloads that want VM operations and data…

Read the review →

For remote and branch offices, small and midsize businesses, and edge deployments, StarWind HyperConverged Appliance packages compute, storage, networking, virtualization, and management in a prebuilt, preconfigured system. It supports…

Read the review →
  1. HPE SimpliVityHyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions 8.2Pricing on request
  2. StarWind HyperConverged ApplianceHyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions 6.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HPE SimpliVity — where it wins

    • Combines compute and storage in HPE server-based HCI nodes
    • Includes VM lifecycle operations, backup, restore and built-in protection
    • Supports two-node high availability and selected stretch-cluster configurations

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires an HPE hardware and software quote rather than published standard pricing
    • Stretch clustering depends on supported configurations
    • Choice of VMware or VM Essentials depends on model and configuration

  • StarWind HyperConverged Appliance — where it wins

    • Combines compute, storage, networking, virtualization, and management in one appliance
    • Supports vSphere, Hyper-V, and Proxmox VE with synchronous replication and failover
    • Centralizes multi-cluster monitoring and supports stretched or geo-clustering

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a quote rather than offering published appliance pricing
    • Physical appliance is on-premises and self-hosted, not a cloud service
    • Designed around a preconfigured appliance, not a standalone software deployment
  • HPE SimpliVity8.2/10 · Pricing on request

    An HPE appliance for virtualized workloads that combines compute, storage and VM operations.

    Contact HPEFull verdict →
  • StarWind HyperConverged Appliance6.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A preconfigured HCI appliance pairing synchronous replication with multi-cluster management.

    Contact StarWindFull verdict →

More comparisons

All hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update