Best VMware Cloud on AWS Alternatives in 2026
The top VMware Cloud on AWS alternatives are Microsoft Azure Arc, HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software and Apache CloudStack: 15 hybrid cloud hosting our editors would look at instead of VMware Cloud on AWS, in our ranking order.
VMware Cloud on AWS: A managed AWS path for VMware workloads, with strong migration and AWS service connectivity. Where it falls short: contact-sales pricing limits upfront cost visibility.
Switching from VMware Cloud on AWS? For most hybrid cloud hosting buyers the best VMware Cloud on AWS alternative is Microsoft Azure Arc, built for azure-centered hybrid and multicloud teams. Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) offers the most public clouds supported (4).
Why People Look for a VMware Cloud on AWS Alternative
- Contact-sales pricing limits upfront cost visibility
- Single-cloud scope centers the service on AWS
- Requires VMware-based workloads and AWS infrastructure alignment
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMicrosoft Azure Arc9.3
Azure-centered hybrid and multicloud teams
Visit Microsoft Azure Arc - Best free optionMicrosoft Azure Arc9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Microsoft Azure Arc - Most public clouds supportedNutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2)8.9
4
Visit Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2)
All 15 VMware Cloud on AWS Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forAzure-centered hybrid and multicloud teams
- Better than VMware Cloud on AWS:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.6
A broad Azure control plane for managing distributed servers, VMs, Kubernetes, and clouds.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Azure Arc -
Best forLarge enterprises needing deep orchestration
- Better than VMware Cloud on AWS:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.6
A broad control plane for enterprises managing hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit HPE Morpheus -
Best forOpen-source VM and cloud infrastructure
- Better than VMware Cloud on AWS:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.6
A flexible self-hosted IaaS platform for teams managing multi-hypervisor clouds.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit CloudStack -
Best forNutanix workloads across public and private cloud
- Better than VMware Cloud on AWS:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.6
A strong fit for Nutanix teams extending workloads across four public clouds.
- Dedicated connectivity
- Bare-metal support
- Kubernetes support
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Nutanix -
Best forEnterprise multi-vendor hybrid infrastructure
- Better than VMware Cloud on AWS:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.6
A broad co-managed platform for enterprise teams operating across private and public clouds.
- Bare-metal support
- Kubernetes support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit HPE GreenLake -
Best forAWS services in customer facilities
- Better than VMware Cloud on AWS:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.6
Managed on-premises AWS services for low-latency, local-data, and residency needs.
- Dedicated connectivity
- Bare-metal support
- Kubernetes support
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit AWS Outposts -
Best forGoverned enterprise cloud operations
A governed control plane for provisioning, workflows, policy, topology, and cloud spend.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit OpenText -
Best forGoogle-managed edge and air-gapped workloads
A specialized Google-managed platform for Kubernetes, VMs, storage, and AI at distributed sites.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forIBM-managed distributed application locations
A centralized way to run IBM-managed services across distributed infrastructure.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit IBM Cloud -
Best forOpen-source hybrid infrastructure teams
A capable open-source control plane for teams managing private and hybrid clouds.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit OpenNebula -
Best forOpen, workflow-driven hybrid orchestration
A flexible hybrid orchestration platform for teams managing diverse infrastructure workflows.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudify -
Best forKubernetes fleets across cloud and edge
A broad Kubernetes management platform for teams running clusters across hybrid environments.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Palette -
Best forPolicy-driven multi-cloud orchestration
A policy-driven control layer for coordinating Kubernetes, VM, and container workloads across hybrid clouds.
7.9/10★★★★☆Contact Wind River -
Best forHuawei-centered enterprise hybrid cloud
A Huawei-centered hybrid cloud platform for controlled enterprise deployments.
- Kubernetes support
7.8/10★★★★☆Contact Huawei -
Best forMulti-cloud Kubernetes fleet operators
A broad control plane for teams operating Kubernetes across clouds, regions, edge, and data centers.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ACK One
VMware Cloud on AWS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to VMware Cloud on AWS?
Microsoft Azure Arc: #1 in our Hybrid Cloud Hosting ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad Azure control plane for managing distributed servers, VMs, Kubernetes, and clouds.
Is there a free alternative to VMware Cloud on AWS?
Yes. Microsoft Azure Arc, Apache CloudStack, OpenNebula, Cloudify and ACK One have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for VMware Cloud on AWS alternatives?
Contact-sales pricing limits upfront cost visibility; Single-cloud scope centers the service on AWS; Requires VMware-based workloads and AWS infrastructure alignment.
Which VMware Cloud on AWS alternative has the most public clouds supported?
Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2), with 4.
How do I switch from VMware Cloud on AWS?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your VMware Cloud on AWS server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel VMware Cloud on AWS.
How to Switch from VMware Cloud on AWS
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your VMware Cloud on AWS server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel VMware Cloud on AWS.
VMware Cloud on AWS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | VMware Cloud on AWS | 8.6 | ||
| 1 | Microsoft Azure Arc | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software | 9.1 | ||
| 3 | Apache CloudStack | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 4 | Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) | No | $2.50/device usage-based | 8.9 |
| 5 | HPE GreenLake | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | AWS Outposts | No | 8.7 | |
| 7 | OpenText Cloud Management | 8.5 | ||
| 8 | Google Distributed Cloud | No | 8.4 | |
| 9 | IBM Cloud Satellite | 8.3 | ||
| 10 | OpenNebula | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 11 | Cloudify | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 12 | Palette | 8.0 | ||
| 13 | Wind River Conductor | 7.9 | ||
| 14 | Huawei Cloud Stack | 7.8 | ||
| 15 | ACK One | Yes | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- VMware Cloud on AWS vs Microsoft Azure Arc
- VMware Cloud on AWS vs HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software
- VMware Cloud on AWS vs Apache CloudStack
- VMware Cloud on AWS vs Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2)
- VMware Cloud on AWS vs HPE GreenLake
- VMware Cloud on AWS vs AWS Outposts
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update