Future-Proof Your Virtualization —Run VMware + KVM on 1STACK Cloud
Save costs. Gain flexibility. Run VMware, KVM, or both—on your terms.
1STACK Cloud empowers enterprises to modernize virtualization with cost-optimized VMware, KVM, and hybrid cloud solutions—delivering flexibility, savings, and future-ready infrastructure in a single platform. You can continue to run VMware where needed, explore KVM for cost-sensitive workloads, or adopt a hybrid VMware + KVM virtualization model.
VMware-as-a-Service
VMware-as-a-Service: Modern Infrastructure, Familiar Tools
Run VMware on 1STACK Cloud with greater efficiency and lower costs—no compromises required.
- On-demand compute and storage clusters
- Multiple resource pools per tenant
- Transparent, node-based pricing
- Support for VMware Hypervisor and Cloud Director
- Save up to 24% on VMware licensing
Beyond VMware
Embrace Multi-Hypervisor Agility
Why choose one hypervisor when you can run both?
1STACK Cloud gives you the power to run workloads across VMware and KVM—whichever suits your budget, performance, or development needs.
Platform Options & Integration
Unified support for KVM and VMware, enabling flexible workload placement and dev/test segmentation.
Cloud-Native & PaaS
Run containerized apps and Kubernetes with our integrated Platform-as-a-Service.
Operational Efficiency
Manage all workloads through a single control plane with built-in backup, high availability, and compliance.
Performance Tuning
Optimize workloads with per-hypervisor resource profiles.
Unified Visibility
Monitor performance, cost, and security metrics across hypervisors with integrated dashboards.
Hybrid Cloud Ready
Extend your on-prem infrastructure into the cloud with VMware and/or KVM nodes.
Choose Your Ideal Cloud
Path with 1STACK Cloud
Compare your virtualization options—stay with VMware, move to KVM, or adopt a hybrid 2-in-1 strategy.
| Scenario | Stay on VMware | VMware + KVM 2-in-1 on Cloud | Migrate to KVM on Cloud |
| VMware Licensing | High cost due to minimum sizing & low optimization | Optimized due to economic of scale | Most Cost effective |
| Infrastructure (DC, Servers, Networking & Security) | Additional Cost | Included | Included |
| Technical Support | Additional Cost | Included | Included |
| 24/7 Operation & Monitoring | Additional Cost | Included | Included |
| Periodic Infrastructure Refresh | Additional Cost | Included | Included |
| Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) | $$$$$ | $$$ | $$ |
While VMware on public cloud presents TCO benefits compared to on-prem due to less licensing costs, low hardware setup, and reduced operational overhead, KVM on public cloud generally offers a lower TCO due to its open-source nature, no vendor lock-in and reduced support costs.
Cut 3-Year Total Cost
of Ownership with 1STACK Cloud
Transitioning from an on-prem VMware vCloud setup to a cloud-based VMware
and/or KVM environment results in a significant three-year total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction.
| Deployment Model | Reduction in Licensing & Support Costs | Reduction in Total Infrastructure Hardware, Licensing & Support Costs |
| On-premise VMware | 0% | 0% |
| VMWare on Cloud | -24% | -10% |
| VMware + KVM 2-in-1 Cloud | -47% | -20% |
| KVM on Cloud | -69% | -30% |
- Up to 69% reduction on licensing and support costs
- Up to 30% reduction in infrastructure hardware, licensing, and support costs
[Source]: Shapeblue
The prices referred to in this document are based on typical costs from a VMware reseller. It’s important to note that actual costs may vary depending on a variety of factors, including the specific reseller, the geographic region, and the current market conditions. When planning a migration, it’s recommended to obtain quotes from multiple resellers to ensure you are getting the best possible pricing. Additionally, it’s important to factor in potential future changes in pricing, as licensing and support costs can fluctuate over time.
VMware & Broadcom: A Turning Point
Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware has introduced major changes that are reshaping how organizations manage their virtualization strategy. From licensing shifts to product discontinuation, the implications are significant—and costly.
- Subscription-Only Licensing: The perpetual license model is being eliminated, locking customers into recurring fees.
- Product Streamlining: Key bundles such as vSphere Essentials are being phased out, reducing flexibility for smaller environments.
- Increased Renewal Costs & Forced Bundling: Organizations face higher costs and less choice due to mandatory package upgrades.
- Strategic Uncertainty: Lack of clarity on product roadmaps and support cycles creates risk for long-term planning.
Now is the ideal time to explore more agile, cost-optimized alternatives. By transitioning to 1STACK Cloud, your organization can avoid rising costs and vendor lock-in—while gaining a stable, future-ready infrastructure platform that supports both VMware and KVM, on your terms.
Planning Ahead: Key Questions to Ask
Before renewing VMware, consider your options:
- Server Footprint: How many servers are currently dedicated to your VMware infrastructure?
- Renewal Timeline: When does your organization plan to renew its VMware license or support service agreement?
- Modernization Goals: Are you exploring more cost-effective virtualization solutions to optimize or replace VMware?
Where Does 1STACK Cloud Fit In?
Whether continuing with VMware, shifting to KVM, or blending both, 1STACK Cloud provides an enterprise-grade, cost-effective, and scalable environment to support your evolving strategy.
- VMware-Compatible: Port your existing VMware workloads—no reconfiguration needed.
- Dual-Hypervisor Freedom: Run VMware, KVM, or a hybrid setup from a single pane of glass.
- True IaaS: Provision exactly what you need—CPU, RAM, storage—and scale as you need.
- Cost Savings: Cut licensing, support, hardware, and operational costs.
- Unified Ops: Simplify with managed infrastructure, transparent pricing, and integrated support.
- Cloud-Native Ready: Adopt containers, automation, and PaaS/NaaS services seamlessly.
Frequently asked questions
What VMware services does 1Stack offer?
1Stack offers VMware as a Service, delivering access to VMware’s enterprise virtualization platform including vSphere, vCenter, and related technologies. This enables organizations to seamlessly run their existing VMware workloads in the cloud with full compatibility and operational consistency.
Is this a fully managed VMware environment?
Yes. 1Stack provides a fully managed VMware environment, handling all aspects of the infrastructure, VMware software stack, patching, and maintenance. You can focus on your workloads while we manage the virtualization platform behind the scenes.
What VMware features are supported?
1Stack supports key enterprise-grade VMware features such as:
- vMotion
- High Availability (HA)
- Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)
These features ensure performance, resilience, and efficient workload balancing.
How does licensing work for VMware services?
VMware licensing is bundled into the service cost, eliminating the need for separate license procurement or tracking. This ensures compliance and simplifies billing and operational overhead.
Can I have dedicated VMware resources?
Yes. 1Stack offers dedicated VMware resources for customers requiring resource isolation or guaranteed performance. You can have dedicated compute hosts, storage, and network resources within the VMware environment.
What backup and recovery options are available?
Our VMware as a Service includes comprehensive backup and recovery capabilities, leveraging both VMware-native tools and integrated third-party solutions. This ensures data protection and rapid recovery for your critical virtual workloads.
What is the recommended strategy to transit from on-premises VMware to 1Stack VMware-as-a-Service and eventually to 1Stack IaaS (KVM)?
1Stack provides a seamless transition path by supporting both VMware and KVM-based environments concurrently. Start by lifting and shifting existing VMware workloads to 1Stack VMware-as-a-Service using native tools like vMotion, Veeam, or replication-based migration—with no need for re-architecture. Once workloads are stable in the cloud, you can gradually modernize and redeploy selected workloads on 1Stack IaaS, which uses KVM for improved flexibility and cost-efficiency.
Because both hypervisors run side-by-side on 1Stack, your teams can test, pilot, and migrate workloads progressively without disruption. 1Stack’s orchestration layer and API-centric platform simplify management, allowing you to leverage infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform for KVM while continuing to use familiar VMware tools during the transition. This dual-support strategy ensures business continuity while you evolve toward a cloud-native, cost-optimized infrastructure model.
Explore resources
Discover how the cloud can benefit your organization with our in-depth resources and insights.
Request a Demo?
See the cloud in action before you decide! Contact us, and we’ll gladly arrange a personalized demo.
VMware’s shift to subscription-only licensing is a game changer. With 1STACK Cloud, you’re free to maintain your VMware stack, embrace KVM, or run both—all while cutting costs and boosting agility. You don’t need to rip and replace. With 1STACK Cloud, evolution is smooth, smart, and supported.
Trusted by forward-thinking IT teams to reduce TCO by up to 30%.
