# VMware to Azure migration

URL: https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/migration/vmware/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> VMware to Azure migration for UK organisations: native Azure VMs or Azure VMware Solution, compared with renewing, from a free assessment.

VMware to Azure migration moves your vSphere virtual machines into Microsoft Azure, in UK South or UK West. Native Azure VMs end VMware licensing. Azure VMware Solution keeps vSphere, but still needs a VMware subscription bought from Broadcom. We start with a free assessment, then compare both routes with renewing before anything moves.

- Native Azure VMs or Azure VMware Solution
- Compared with your renewal quote
- Agentless discovery from vCenter

## Is this you?

- Your VMware renewal is coming up: [AVS or Azure VMs?](https://computecloud.co.uk/blog/vmware-to-azure-after-broadcom/)
- Your AVS hosts still use Microsoft's VMware licence: [Portable VCF explained](https://computecloud.co.uk/blog/vmware-to-azure-after-broadcom/)
- Windows Server 2016 VMs run on your hosts: [Windows Server migration](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/migration/windows-server/)
- A co-location contract is ending: [Data-centre exit](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/migration/data-centre-exit/)

## What you get and how it works

1. **Free assessment.** You get: Scope, ballpark costs and a timeline against your renewal date.
2. **Agentless discovery from vCenter.** You get: Every VM profiled, with a map of what talks to what.
3. **Three costs compared.** You get: Renewing VMware, Azure VMware Solution and native Azure VMs, side by side in writing.
4. **Landing zone, then waves.** You get: A [landing zone](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/landing-zone/), then tested waves with Azure Migrate or VMware HCX.
5. **Decommission and hand over.** You get: Old hosts retired, documentation, and [managed Azure](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/managed-services/) if you want it.

## Why ComputeCloud

- UK regions by default
- Both routes priced, not just one
- Honest advice on what not to move
- Delivered in partnership with Focus Group, our Microsoft delivery partner.

## Start your free assessment

Two fields now, about 2 minutes in all. A specialist then gets in touch.

Start here: https://computecloud.co.uk/assessment/

## Sources

- [Microsoft Learn: portable VCF licensing reference for Azure VMware Solution](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-vmware/portable-vcf-licensing-reference)
- [Microsoft Learn: Azure VMware Solution introduction](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-vmware/introduction)
- [Microsoft Learn: configure VMware HCX in Azure VMware Solution](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-vmware/configure-vmware-hcx)
- [Microsoft Learn: agentless VMware migration with Azure Migrate](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/tutorial-migrate-vmware)
- [Microsoft Learn: dependency analysis in Azure Migrate](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/concepts-dependency-visualization)
- [Microsoft Learn: Azure Hybrid Benefit on Azure VMware Solution](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-vmware/sql-server-hybrid-benefit)
- [Microsoft Learn: SQL Server Extended Security Updates](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/end-of-support/sql-server-extended-security-updates)
- [Microsoft Learn: Azure regions list (UK South, UK West)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/reliability/regions-list)

Facts checked 25 October 2026.

See also: [Guide: VMware after Broadcom](https://computecloud.co.uk/blog/vmware-to-azure-after-broadcom/) · [Data-centre exit](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/migration/data-centre-exit/) · [Azure migration services](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/migration/) · [Azure landing zone design](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/landing-zone/) · [Managed Azure](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/managed-services/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Should we choose Azure VMware Solution or native Azure VMs?

Native Azure VMs usually cost least over time and remove VMware altogether. Azure VMware Solution is the faster way out of a data centre, with the least change for your team. Many estates use both. [The two routes compared](https://computecloud.co.uk/blog/vmware-to-azure-after-broadcom/)

### Does Azure VMware Solution avoid our Broadcom renewal?

No. Since 1 November 2025, new AVS hosts need a VMware Cloud Foundation subscription from Broadcom covering every host core, and a private cloud starts at three hosts.

### Can VMs move without changing their IP addresses?

With Azure VMware Solution, yes, through VMware HCX network extension, which Microsoft includes at no extra cost. A move to native Azure VMs has a short planned cut-over per VM.

### Do our Windows Server and SQL Server licences work in Azure?

Where eligible, yes. Azure Hybrid Benefit applies on native Azure VMs and on Azure VMware Solution. SQL Server 2016 Extended Security Updates are paid on both.

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Get a free Azure migration assessment: https://computecloud.co.uk/assessment/