# VMware to Azure migration

URL: https://computecloud.co.uk/azure-migration/vmware/
Last updated: 2026-10-10

> Facing higher VMware costs after Broadcom? Migrate vSphere VMs to native Azure VMs or Azure VMware Solution. Free assessment and cost comparison for UK organisations.

Since Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, many UK organisations have seen big jumps in renewal costs and the end of perpetual licences. Azure gives you two clear ways out, and we'll help you choose between them.

## Key points

- There are two routes. **Rehost to native Azure VMs**, which is usually cheapest long term, or **Azure VMware Solution (AVS)**, which keeps vSphere and is the fastest exit.
- Native Azure VMs remove VMware licensing entirely. AVS runs dedicated VMware hosts in Azure and lets you move VMs with **HCX without changing IPs**.
- Azure Migrate supports **agentless discovery and migration** of vSphere VMs.
- The right answer often mixes both. Move most VMs natively and use AVS for anything hard to move quickly.

## Key facts

- **Route 1:** Native Azure VMs (no VMware licences)
- **Route 2:** Azure VMware Solution (keep vSphere)
- **Discovery:** Azure Migrate agentless appliance
- **Typical trigger:** VMware renewal date
- **Plan ahead:** 3–6 months before renewal

## Why organisations are leaving VMware

Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, perpetual licences were replaced with subscription bundles, product lines were consolidated and partner programmes changed. Many UK organisations reported significantly higher renewal quotes. If your renewal is within the next 12 months, now is the time to price the alternatives.

## Two routes from VMware to Azure

### Route 1: Native Azure virtual machines

Azure Migrate discovers your vSphere VMs **agentlessly** and replicates them to Azure VMs. You stop paying for VMware licences and hardware entirely.

- **Pros:** lowest long-term cost, no VMware dependency, full use of Azure-native backup, monitoring and security tools.
- **Cons:** each VM is converted, so some testing is needed. Your team manages Azure rather than vCenter.

### Route 2: Azure VMware Solution (AVS)

AVS gives you a private VMware cloud (vSphere, vSAN and NSX) on dedicated bare-metal hosts inside Azure. VMware HCX moves VMs across, often **without changing IP addresses**.

- **Pros:** fastest exit from a data centre, minimal change for your team and applications, and eligible Windows Server/SQL Server VMs get ESUs.
- **Cons:** you pay for whole hosts, and you still run VMware.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Native Azure VMs | Azure VMware Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Speed to exit | Moderate | Fast |
| Change for IT team | Learn Azure tooling | Minimal |
| Licensing | No VMware licences | VMware stack on Azure hosts |
| Cost model | Pay per VM, scale to zero | Pay per dedicated host |
| Best for | Long-term cost and simplicity | Hard deadlines and complex estates |

## How we run a VMware to Azure migration

1. **Discover**: Azure Migrate appliance connects to vCenter and profiles every VM's performance.
2. **Compare**: we model the cost of renewing VMware, moving to AVS and rehosting to native Azure VMs side by side.
3. **Plan waves**: dependency mapping groups VMs that need to move together.
4. **Build the landing zone**: networking, identity, security and backup in Azure.
5. **Migrate and decommission**: VMs move in waves, then the old hosts and licences are retired.

## Frequently asked questions

### Should I move to Azure VMware Solution or native Azure VMs?

Choose **Azure VMware Solution** if you need to exit a data centre or hit a renewal date quickly, or you rely heavily on VMware tooling. Choose **native Azure VMs** if you want the lowest long-term cost and simplest operations. Many organisations use AVS as a stepping stone, then move to native VMs over time.

### Do I still need VMware licences with Azure VMware Solution?

AVS runs VMware's software stack on dedicated Azure hosts. Licensing terms for AVS have changed since Broadcom's acquisition, so we confirm the current position for your situation during the assessment.

### How long does a VMware to Azure migration take?

For up to around 100 VMs, a rehost to native Azure VMs typically takes 2–4 months including discovery and landing zone. An AVS migration with HCX can be quicker because VMs move without re-platforming.

### When should we start if our VMware renewal is coming up?

Ideally 4–6 months before renewal. That leaves time for discovery, a cost comparison and migration, or at least gives you a credible alternative to negotiate with.

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