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Citrix XenServer

citrix.com

Free trial WindowsLinuxSelf-hosted

What it is

Citrix XenServer is an enterprise virtualization platform for workloads in on-premises and hybrid environments. Its hypervisor pools compute, storage, and networking resources and allocates them to virtual machines. Hosts require XenServer OS on dedicated 64-bit x86 bare-metal servers, and the listed guest architecture is x86_64. The platform supports snapshots, GPU acceleration, high-availability policies, and live migration between hosts. A pool can contain up to 32 hosts. XenCenter runs on supported Windows systems; a standalone remote CLI can be installed on RPM-based Linux distributions. XenServer 9 uses a custom control-domain operating system, and new installations disable HTTP on the management interface, requiring TLS. GPU pass-through supports NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs; NVIDIA vGPU support for XenServer 9 is preview-only and not fully supported. XenServer is paid, with pricing available on request and a 90-day trial that does not include official support. The listed trial edition supports a three-host pool.

Spec sheet

Purpose
XenServer is an enterprise virtualization platform for running workloads across on-premises and hybrid environments.Read 8 Oct 2026 · citrix.com
Intended users
Citrix describes XenServer 9 as a fit for organizations prioritizing Citrix alignment, operational simplicity, predictable lifecycle management, and security.Read 8 Oct 2026 · citrix.com
Free plan
NoRead 21 Sep 2026 · citrix.com
Security
XenServer 9 reduces attack surface with a custom control-domain operating system and disables HTTP on the management interface for new installations, requiring TLS connections.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
Headquarters
Citrix lists its corporate headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States.Read 8 Oct 2026 · citrix.com
Founded
Citrix states it was founded in 1989.Read 8 Oct 2026 · citrix.com
Availability
XenServer supports high availability policies that restart virtual machines on another host if one host fails.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
GPU acceleration
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · citrix.com
GPU features
XenServer supports GPU pass-through for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs; NVIDIA vGPU support for XenServer 9 is listed as preview and not fully supported.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
Guest architecture
x86_64Read 21 Sep 2026 · citrix.com
Hardware requirement
A XenServer host must be a dedicated 64-bit x86 server-class machine and requires CPU support for the x86-64-v3 microarchitecture.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
Host platforms
XenServer OS on 64-bit x86 bare-metal serversRead 21 Sep 2026 · citrix.com
Live migration
Virtual machines can be live migrated between XenServer hosts to support maintenance with minimal or no downtime.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
Management interface
desktopRead 21 Sep 2026 · citrix.com
Management tools
XenCenter runs on supported Windows systems, and a standalone remote XenServer CLI can be installed on RPM-based Linux distributions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
Pool limit
A XenServer resource pool can contain up to 32 hosts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
Storage and network integration
XenServer is designed to integrate with existing networking and storage infrastructure.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.xenserver.com
Trial support
The 90-day XenServer trial does not include access to official support.Read 8 Oct 2026 · citrix.com
Virtualization
Its hypervisor pools compute, storage, and networking resources for dynamic allocation to virtual machines.Read 8 Oct 2026 · citrix.com
VM snapshots
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · citrix.com

Plans and prices

Trial Edition Free Free for up to 90 days. Full enterprise feature set · Maximum 3-host pool · No official support during trial Read 8 Oct 2026 · citrix.com
Premium Edition Priced on request Term-based subscription; maintenance included. Available as an entitlement of a Citrix subscription; contact Citrix Sales or a channel partner for pricing. Licensed per CPU socket · XenServer-specific license required Read 8 Oct 2026 · xenserver.com

Every Citrix XenServer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports high availability and live VM migration.
  • Resource pools can contain up to 32 hosts.
  • GPU pass-through supports NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.
  • 90-day trial edition supports a three-host pool.

Limits

  • No free plan is listed.
  • Pricing is available on request.
  • Trial access excludes official support.
  • NVIDIA vGPU support for XenServer 9 is preview-only.

Who it suits

XenServer suits organizations running virtual machines on dedicated 64-bit x86 servers that need high availability, live migration, or GPU features. Its listed intended users prioritize Citrix alignment, operational simplicity, predictable lifecycle management, and security.

Verdict

XenServer combines VM management, migration, and availability features for a specific bare-metal host architecture. Buyers should account for its dedicated 64-bit x86 requirement and request pricing; trial users do not receive official support.

Where Specifiction places it

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