VMware Cloud Foundation Reviews & Product Details

VMware Cloud Foundation delivers an integrated software-defined stack that unifies compute, storage, networking, and container management. The automated lifecycle management through SDDC Manager eliminates manual patching headaches, allowing to schedule updates per workload domain and update development environments independently from production.

The native integration of vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and Tanzu provides a genuine hybrid cloud foundation without third-party components. NSX enables micro-segmentation and distributed firewalls that significantly enhance security. Running both Kubernetes workloads and traditional VMs on the same infrastructure reduces management complexity considerably.

VMware Cloud Builder automates the initial deployment, transforming a multi-day manual process into a streamlined workflow. The stretched cluster capability across availability zones provides high availability without complex replication solutions. The unified operations experience consolidates monitoring, provisioning, and orchestration into a single interface. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The licensing model has become more complicated and expensive after Broadcom’s acquisition, with increased costs impacting mid-sized organizations. Documentation is fragmented across multiple sections, making it challenging to locate specific guidance. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like VMware Cloud Foundation because it delivers a fully integrated and automated software-defined infrastructure, combining compute, storage, networking, and Kubernetes into one consistent platform. Its built-in lifecycle management, strong security features, and hybrid cloud flexibility greatly simplify operations and reduce complexity. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I dislike that VMware Cloud Foundation can be complex and resource-intensive to deploy, especially for smaller environments. Its tightly integrated components mean upgrades sometimes feel rigid, and troubleshooting across vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and SDDC Manager can be challenging. Licensing costs can also be high, making it less accessible compared to lighter-weight solutions Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I appreciate most about VMware Cloud Foundation is how it brings together compute, storage, networking, and management into one unified platform. This integration makes it much easier to deploy and manage a hybrid cloud environment, streamlining operations and delivering a consistent infrastructure for both traditional and modern applications. Additionally, its automation features and built-in security stand out as significant benefits. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One challenge I have found with VMware Cloud Foundation is that the initial setup and configuration process can be quite complex, particularly for teams that are new to the platform. In addition, the licensing and cost structure might be a significant factor for some organizations to consider. Although the platform offers robust capabilities, ongoing maintenance and upgrades often demand careful planning to prevent potential disruptions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I primarily appreciate VMware Cloud Foundation for its seamless integration of vSphere, vSAN, and NSX, which provides a unified Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) platform. This integration is pivotal for streamlining deployments and simplifying the management of environments, especially in lab settings where I experiment with private-cloud setups. I find the SDDC Manager particularly beneficial as it automates upgrades and overall lifecycle management, greatly reducing the complexity and time spent on these tasks. Additionally, the platform supports an exploration of networking and automation features, which enhances my understanding and skills within these domains. The ability to practice deployments and manage the environment effectively owing to these integrated tools makes VMware Cloud Foundation a valuable resource in my learning and testing endeavors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find the learning curve for VMware Cloud Foundation quite steep, especially when it comes to NSX and vSAN. These components can be particularly complex for newcomers, and clearer guides along with simpler default settings would be beneficial. Additionally, VMware Cloud Foundation can be resource-heavy, which poses challenges for lab or smaller environments, affecting the overall efficiency and accessibility for testing purposes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I appreciate the simplicity and convenience of having one admin center for all functions within VMware Cloud Foundation. The easy, one-click solutions it provides, alongside the automation of organizational operations, significantly streamline our processes and enhance operational efficiency. Updates being managed effortlessly and everything being centralized under VMware Cloud Foundation, simplifies the managerial tasks like database, servers, and security updates, making overall management of cloud-based operations much easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I dislike the rigid, fixed way of building things in VMware Cloud Foundation. This lack of flexibility during deployments is challenging because it requires starting with many host nodes, which can be inefficient. It particularly affects smaller companies that might not have enough resources to handle these large-scale deployments. Allowing more flexibility and the use of fewer nodes in the deployment process could optimize unused resources and improve overall efficiency. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I really like how VMware Cloud Foundation keeps all my virtual machines and cloud tasks organized in one secure spot. Its biggest strength is the unified platform that integrates computing, storage, and networking, which eliminates the need for managing separate tools and greatly simplifies infrastructure management. This unification makes my work smoother and removes a lot of infrastructure headaches. I also appreciate how VMware Cloud Foundation handles patching and updates automatically, saving me from the tedious task of doing it manually. In terms of computing, the platform provides a solid and reliable environment for running my VMs without any compatibility issues. The storage component is excellent because vSAN is integrated right into the platform, removing the necessity for separate storage systems. Overall, it's a powerful tool that makes managing infrastructure much easier compared to other options available. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find the complexity of VMware Cloud Foundation to be the biggest downside. Despite its powerful capabilities, setting it up and managing it on my own was quite challenging. If you don’t have ample support, it can be overwhelming. Additionally, the initial setup was not as straightforward as expected, with numerous requirements and configurations needed before deployment. Overall, while it's a robust platform, it is not the simplest to work with. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

VMware Cloud Foundation offers a unified and consistent platform that makes hybrid and multi-cloud management seamless. What I appreciate most is the automation it enables, from infrastructure deployment to lifecycle management, allowing me to focus on business outcomes instead of manual operations. Its integration across compute, storage, and networking is outstanding, providing a stable and secure foundation. For automation professionals like me, it is extremely powerful and adaptable, reducing complexity while increasing agility. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Although VMware Cloud Foundation is an excellent platform, its initial setup and licensing complexity can be a challenge, especially for organizations without deep VMware expertise. Documentation is thorough but sometimes fragmented, which may slow down adoption for new users. The platform’s wide range of features can feel overwhelming at first, and it requires a solid investment in skills to fully leverage. That said, once in place, these challenges are outweighed by the long-term benefits of automation, scalability, and reliability. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like that it’s the whole package together. I am a Broadcom consultant, and I work with VCF practically every day. By now it’s the only option for customers, and from a technical standpoint that’s a good thing, because I’ve learned the subject and now I just have to reapply it to all customers. It also makes it easier for me to describe the solution and adapt it to the customer, since it’s now the only truly viable option.

In theory, it’s simple to implement, especially with VCF 9, as everything is very guided. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I don’t like the same thing I do like: we are now forced to use the whole package even if I didn’t want to. A simple example is the small company that needs just a little workload. Before, they would turn to VMware, since vSphere alone was more than enough. But now that same company would have to implement at least NSX and vSAN, which always becomes complex for smaller businesses. Not to mention that prices go up. So, if I had to sum it up, I’d say the real problem is that flexibility has been lost, and Broadcom is almost trying to exclude small customers.

Although it should be easy to implement, especially in VCF 9 with the new installer, from personal experience I can say that there are always—and I mean always—countless issues. These are part of my job, I’m used to them, but the real problem is that they’re not documented. In fact, it almost seems like there is no documentation on VCF, and in my opinion this is the real major issue. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) stands out as a powerful and integrated platform for managing hybrid and multi-cloud environments. What I like most is its ability to unify compute, storage, networking, and security into a single, automated software-defined infrastructure. The seamless integration with VMware vSphere, vSAN, and NSX makes deployment and operations highly consistent across private and public clouds. Its automation features, particularly for lifecycle management and patching, save significant time and reduce operational complexity. I also appreciate its flexibility in supporting diverse workloads—from traditional enterprise applications to containerized and modern workloads—making it a reliable foundation for digital transformation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

On the downside, VMware Cloud Foundation comes with a steep learning curve and can feel overwhelming for organizations without strong in-house VMware expertise. The licensing costs and infrastructure requirements can also be prohibitive for smaller businesses, limiting accessibility. While its automation is a strong point, it sometimes lacks flexibility in highly customized environments, requiring additional manual configurations. Lastly, integration with non-VMware ecosystems can be challenging, which may restrict organizations that rely heavily on diverse vendor solutions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I really appreciate the automation capabilities of VMware Cloud Foundation. It's incredibly useful to me because once I have set up the use case, defined the workflow, and established the life cycles, everything runs automatically with minimal input required from my end. I don't have to worry about the initial setup as it works reliably once configured. This means a significant reduction in day-to-day tasks and gives me peace of mind knowing that the processes will continue seamlessly. Moreover, the system helps in managing the automation of builds for our online help systems and integrating them seamlessly into software packages. The fact that these builds run overnight and ensure that the latest documentation versions are included in each software release is invaluable. I also appreciate that it tends to run in the background with very little need for ongoing input from me, which allows me to focus on other work. Overall, VMware Cloud Foundation's reliable performance and automation make it a beneficial tool for my business. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find the integration with Microsoft Azure DevOps lacking, which would be beneficial for managing microservices and virtual machines. A more effective way to link these environments would be helpful. Although it's not a huge issue for me, as I don't work closely with the software development teams, I believe this could be an area for improvement. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.