Summary
Looking for a VMware migration tool to exit VMware? For many IT teams, it’s no longer a question of if they should migrate VMware workloads to another platform but of carefully choosing the right migration tool that can help them do it safely, efficiently, and affordably .
Not all tools are created equal. When evaluating VMware migration options, the right tool can make all the difference in managing risk, reducing cost, and ensuring business continuity. Drawing from our experience with industry best practices and real-world migrations, these are the 7 must-have features for any VMware migration tool.
1. Intuitive, easy-to-use interface for VM migration
You shouldn’t need a CLI cheat sheet to migrate. Look for a tool with a clean, web-based UI and guided workflows. This minimizes learning curves and helps VMware admins hit the ground running.
2. Automated discovery
Your migration tool should automatically detect VMware VMs, networks, and storage mappings. This removes manual prep work and ensures nothing critical gets missed in inventory.
3. Change block tracking (CBT) for low downtime
Minimize disruption with tools that use CBT or equivalent to sync only the delta changes. This enables warm migrations and allows you to schedule cutovers during maintenance windows—no late-night panic attacks required.
4. Seamless disk & driver conversion
Migrating from VMDK to QCOW2? Moving to KVM-based platforms? A solid VMware migration tool handles disk format conversions and automatically installs necessary drivers—especially crucial for Windows VMs.
5. Preservation of identity and network settings
The best tools preserve MAC addresses, UUIDs, and IP configurations. This reduces post-migration troubleshooting and keeps your apps running without rework.
6. Scalable & efficient architecture
Whether you’re moving 10 VMs or tens of thousands, your tool should support parallel migrations and scale horizontally. Look for built-in reporting, health checks, and orchestration capabilities to manage large VMware migration projects.
7. Transparent licensing & cost savings
With VMware migration costs already top of mind, your migration tool shouldn’t pile on more. Free options like Platform9’s vJailbreak offer all the essential features you need at zero cost, helping reduce the total cost of migrating away from VMware.
Why Platform9 vJailbreak?
vJailbreak is a free VMware migration tool that checks all the boxes. It automates the heavy lifting—discovery, conversion, data sync, and cutover—with an intuitive interface built for VMware admins. Proven in large-scale migrations involving tens of thousands of virtual machines, it’s scalable, reliable, and designed to integrate seamlessly with Platform9 Private Cloud Director—an easy-to-use, flexible VMware alternative based on open standards.
Explore vJailbreak or book a demo to see how Platform9 can help you take control of your virtualization roadmap.
Platform9’s Private Cloud Director is a great alternative to move your VMware workloads to. Turn your existing infrastructure into a full-featured private cloud. Manage VMs and containers in a private, secure environment controlled by you. Learn more about Private Cloud Director.
