4+/5
G2 rating
37 reviews on G2
Report
Should I Use Proxmox?
Proxmox develops powerful and efficient open-source server solutions like the Proxmox VE platform, Proxmox Backup Server, and Proxmox Mail Gateway.
Depends
DependsBuy if you have in-house Linux and virtualization skills and want to escape VMware pricing — the core is free, stable, and proven at scale.
Free, capable VMware alternative — but only with Linux skills; per-socket subs and active CVEs demand upkeep.
Confidence: Medium
Yes
Free tier
Full Proxmox VE, no subscription required
$0
Starting price
Optional subscriptions priced per CPU socket
Bootstrapped
Funding
No external funding raised (Tracxn)
Value for money
5
Free core; dramatically cheaper than VMware.
Ease of use
3
Good web UI, but assumes Linux skill.
Feature depth
4
Clustering, HA, backup, mail gateway included.
Security posture
2
Auth-bypass CVEs exploited in the wild.
Pros
Cons
Gotchas
- highAuth-bypass CVEs had public PoCs and in-the-wild exploitation; patch the management interface fast⁷
- mediumSubscriptions are per CPU socket; multi-host clusters multiply costs quickly
- mediumNo-subscription users get community repo and forum support only — no vendor SLA⁶
- lowGuess: leaving Proxmox later is more DIY than VMware-to-Proxmox migrations are today11
Best for
- Homelabbers and self-hosters
- Linux-savvy SMB IT teams
- VMware refugees after Broadcom price hikes
- Hosting providers running clusters
Not for
- Teams without Linux sysadmin skills
- Buyers needing turnkey, vendor-backed support
- Windows-only shops wanting GUI-only management
- Guess: orgs needing vendor compliance certifications
Companies that use it
- HorizonIQ
- CodiLime11
Pricing
No subscription
$0
- Full Proxmox VE features
- Community repo and forum support
Community
~$133/socket/yr
- Enterprise package repository access
- Cheapest paid tier
Basic / Standard / Premium
Per CPU socket, quoted on site
- Vendor support with escalating SLAs
- Premium tier is highest support level
Security
Active CVE history — including auth-bypass issues exploited in the wild; prompt patching and hardening required.
- Proxmox VE 7 auth bypass with public PoC, exploited in the wildVendor advisory after attackers could log in without a password; PoC was public.⁷
- CVE-2026-51083 — incomplete auth bypass in Proxmox VEListed in SentinelOne's vulnerability database as an incomplete authentication bypass.⁸
- CVE-2024-21545 — HIGH severityHigh-severity vulnerability flagged in community security bulletins.
- Dirty Frag universal Linux LPE affects ProxmoxDiscussed on the vendor's own forum as an in-the-wild local privilege escalation.
What users say
Users praise stability, clustering/HA, and value versus VMware, while griping about per-socket subscription costs and the Linux expertise required.
“Why everyone loves Proxmox at home, but many pros do not even know about it?”
“Interested in community thoughts on proxmox VE as enterprise solution”
“Is Proxmox pricing for home users st $133/socket justified in 2025?”
Alternatives
Compare Proxmox with each alternative.
XCP-ng
Open-source Xen hypervisor with a similar free, subscription-optional model.
Proxmox vs XCP-ngVMware vSphere
Industry standard, but far pricier after Broadcom licensing changes.
Proxmox vs VMware vSphereMicrosoft Hyper-V
Bundled with Windows Server; fits Windows-centric shops better.
Plain KVM or Docker
Simpler option for single-host needs without a full platform.
Proxmox vs Plain KVM or DockerFull analysis
Based on 50+ public sources reviewed; review snippets were partially truncated, so quotes are verbatim thread titles.
Sources
- Proxmox Products | G2g2.comreview
- Proxmox VE Reviews | Gartner Peer Insightsgartner.comreview
- Proxmox VE Reviews | TrustRadiustrustradius.comreview
- Proxmox Reviews | Trustpilottrustpilot.comreview
- Pricing for Subscriptions Plans — Proxmox VEproxmox.comofficial
- Proxmox Community pageproxmox.comofficial
- Proxmox VE 7 Auth Bypass: PoC Public, Exploited in the Wildsecurityonline.infosecurity
- CVE-2026-51083: Proxmox VE Auth Bypasssentinelone.comsecurity
- Proxmox vs VMware 2026: Free vs $45K/Yeartech-insider.orgnews
- A Year Running Proxmox and VMware Side by Sidevirtualizationhowto.comnews
news
- Subscription costs (rant) — Proxmox forumforum.proxmox.comreview
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