VMware customers want to keep perpetual licences

VMware customers have a strong preference for perpetual licences and would continue using them if support were available, according to new research commissioned by third-party support provider Rimini Street.

A survey of around 110 VMware customers suggests that Broadcom may be turning customers against the company with the pricing and subscription model changes introduced following its acquisition of VMware.

The survey found that 79% of respondents believe their current perpetually licensed software meets their business needs, and 99% would continue to utilise current perpetually licensed software if they were able to acquire support. Despite facing pressure to give up their perpetual licences in favour of a subscription model, customers are instead seeking paths to take control of their VMware roadmap, including opportunities to lower cost and buy more time to migrate.

Meanwhile, 96% of survey respondents said they see value in roadmap services to help assess VMware alternatives, with 98% of respondents either using, planning to use or considering alternatives for at least part of their VMware estate. The survey also found that amid growing market uncertainty and Broadcom policies, 92% anticipate additional VMware price increases within the next 12–18 months.

Rimini Street Group VP Rodney Kenyon said the results demonstrate discontent among VMware’s customer base.

“Giving up control over perpetual licences due to forced vendor subscription models is like turning in keys to your paid-off home to rent the same house from a landlord. The results of this survey highlight that while VMware customers are happy with their software, they are concerned with price increases and changes in licensing, and are seeking alternative strategies,” he said. “For organisations that prefer to maintain their existing VMware environment rather than pursue an alternative solution, third-party support offers a powerful option.”

The survey also found that 71% of respondents believe cloud-native solutions are having the biggest influence on the emerging hypervisor market, with 70% citing AI as another major impact.

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