KVM vs OpenNebula
KVM
linux-kvm.org
OpenNebula
opennebula.ioSide by side
| Figure | KVM | OpenNebula |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 7 |
| Spec score · Server Virtualization Software | 8.5 (#2) | 7.4 (#13) |
| Spec score · Hypervisor Software | 8.6 (#4) | 7.5 (#20) |
| Spec score · Virtual machine software | 8.7 (#4) | 7.3 (#20) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | KVM is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware with Intel VT or AMD-V extensions. | OpenNebula supports KVM virtualization and LXC container virtualization and runs on major Linux distributions including RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian, and AlmaLinux. |
| What it does | KVM is an open-source Linux virtualization technology that lets Linux operate as a hypervisor for multiple isolated virtual machines. | OpenNebula is an end-to-end cloud and virtualization management platform that unifies KVM virtual machines and Kubernetes clusters in one environment. |
Plans
KVM
- KVM open-source softwareFree
- KVM open-source softwareFree
- KVM commercial supportPriced on request
OpenNebula
- Community EditionPrice not published
- Community EditionPriced on request
- Enterprise Subscription — StandardPrice not published
- Enterprise Subscription — StandardPriced on request
- Enterprise Subscription — PremiumPriced on request
- Enterprise Subscription — PremiumPrice not published
- OpenNebula Enterprise SubscriptionPriced on request
In their own words
KVM
KVM is an open-source virtualization solution for Linux hosts with Intel VT or AMD-V extensions. It runs multiple virtual machines using unmodified Linux or Windows images, each with virtualized hardware such as a network card, disk, and graphics adapter. The documented capabilities include live migration, nested guests, CPU and PCI hotplug, virtio devices, and device assignment; snapshots and GPU acceleration are also listed. KVM’s kernel component is part of mainline Linux, while its userspace component is part of mainline QEMU. Linux distributions commonly package the required modules and tools, and Windows guest drivers are available separately. Documented processor coverage includes Intel, AMD, ARM, PowerPC, and 64-bit S390 systems. KVM can be used with upper layers including QEMU, libvirt, OpenStack, and oVirt. It is available for Linux and self-hosted use, and the listed plan is free. The host must have Intel VT or AMD-V virtualization extensions.
OpenNebula
OpenNebula is an open-source cloud and virtualization management platform for infrastructure across on-premises, public-cloud, and edge environments. Its control plane brings KVM virtual machines and Kubernetes clusters together, and it also supports LXC container virtualization. High-availability features include redundant control-plane components, hypervisor-node failover, and VM replication and recovery workflows across data centers. Management options include a web GUI, command-line tools, and REST, gRPC, and XML-RPC APIs. OpenNebula runs on major Linux distributions including RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian, and AlmaLinux. GPU scheduling with vGPU and MIG supports AI and HPC workloads. The maker lists integrations such as NVIDIA Spectrum-X, SUSE, NetApp, Veeam, and Everpure, as well as certified hosted-cloud providers. The Community Edition is free, while certain tested and certified enterprise releases are subscriber-only. Enterprise subscriptions include unlimited CPUs, cores, and VMs; Standard support is 9×5 and Premium support is 24×7 in CET and EST. Subscription pricing is by tailored proposal, with no price stated.