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SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs VMware NSX comparison

Why PeerSpot?
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 3, 2026

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
7.2
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager offers quick ROI through improved visibility, automation, and reduced need for onsite engineers.
Sentiment score
6.4
VMware NSX offers long-term financial benefits by reducing overhead and improving security, despite high initial costs and evaluation time.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.6
SolarWinds support is helpful with 24x7 availability, but users seek faster prioritization and improved response times.
Sentiment score
6.6
VMware NSX support is knowledgeable but experiences vary; some report delays and recent service deterioration due to structural changes.
Technical support is limited but generally acceptable as we possess skilled personnel, making us less dependent on SolarWinds.
Managed Services Engineer at Loop1 Systems
SolarWinds tech support is a strong point.
MD at Thembanet
The support for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is quite supportive, and I can work with them in-depth, especially regarding installation.
Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
They were always helpful.
Senior VMware Administrator at Johnson Controls, Inc.
They are quick and understand things easily, so the support is aligned very effectively.
Windows Redhat Linux Vmware & Azure & Cloud & Nutanix Ahv-Vmware & Backup Senior System Administrator at AlDawaa Medical Services
Our technicians have a good support experience from the company.
Joint Staff Officer at Hellenic National Defence General Staff
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager offers scalability and seamless integration, ideal for diverse enterprises despite being pricier than alternatives.
Sentiment score
7.6
VMware NSX is favored for its scalability, supporting extensive deployments across data centers with ease and efficiency.
The product is scalable as SolarWinds increased its licensing capacity from supporting 12,000 devices to 48,000 devices with stack licenses.
Managed Services Engineer at Loop1 Systems
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is known for its network monitoring capability, where it started and continues to lead.
Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
There is a high level of satisfaction with its ability to scale.
Senior IT Strategy Consultant at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is stable and user-friendly, with minor issues mainly due to system specifications or updates.
Sentiment score
8.1
VMware NSX is praised for its high stability and reliability, with most users rating it 8-10 out of 10.
I would rate the stability of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager at a nine out of ten.
Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
The product performs at 99% efficiency without any showstoppers or significant issues.
Windows Redhat Linux Vmware & Azure & Cloud & Nutanix Ahv-Vmware & Backup Senior System Administrator at AlDawaa Medical Services
For stability, I would rate VMware NSX as a nine out of ten.
Services Presales Solutions Architecture - UAE & Gulf at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
 

Room For Improvement

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager needs enhancements in monitoring, UI, automation, reports, integration, and support to address user concerns.
VMware NSX struggles with high costs, complex configurations, integration issues, and requires improvements in scalability, user-friendliness, and pricing.
Currently, there are limitations in performing tasks without logging into routers directly.
Managed Services Engineer at Loop1 Systems
Regarding the automation capabilities of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, I think that is an area they will need to explore in making it more autonomous.
Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
I would like to see more features in terms of wireless reporting and more historical information for client connectivity in SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager.
MD at Thembanet
The initial configuration and integration within our existing environment were not easy.
Senior IT Strategy Consultant at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
The pricing for the product is another area for improvement as I'm not satisfied nowadays.
Senior VMware Administrator at Johnson Controls, Inc.
The licensing model is expensive and could be more flexible, especially after Broadcom bought VMware.
Services Presales Solutions Architecture - UAE & Gulf at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
 

Setup Cost

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pricing is moderate but varies by device and features, offering value with extensive support.
VMware NSX pricing is seen as high; costs vary based on features used, licensing choices, and negotiation effectiveness.
The licensing costs of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager are expensive, but considering its reliability, feature enhancements, and support, it is worthwhile.
MD at Thembanet
On pricing, I would rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager as one of the best in its segment among leading products and competitors.
Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
The cost of VMware NSX is considered high.
Senior IT Strategy Consultant at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
The complexity is too high in terms of price.
Technical Manager at Allianz Cloud Private Limited
VMware NSX is a little higher in price compared to the competition.
Joint Staff Officer at Hellenic National Defence General Staff
 

Valuable Features

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager optimizes network management with monitoring, automation, compliance, backup, and customizable features streamlining workflows.
VMware NSX offers micro-segmentation, scalability, automation, VM-level security, and Zero Trust support for enhanced modern networking.
The solution facilitates compliance reporting through an NCM module, effectively generating out-of-the-box reports on software vulnerabilities and outdated software versions.
MD at Thembanet
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager handles the performance side, allowing companies to measure and improve their network performance, making it an excellent choice for enterprises needing a robust network insight tool.
Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Configuration pushing, upgrade capabilities, job backup, configuration backup, and real-time configuration change monitoring are highly beneficial features of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager.
Managed Services Engineer at Loop1 Systems
Micro-segmentation enhances security and provides more secure data in your data center.
Services Presales Solutions Architecture - UAE & Gulf at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Consistent networking and security policies across different environments have a major and very positive impact on our business operations, allowing us to achieve the security posture we want with compliance and regulations.
Technical Manager at Allianz Cloud Private Limited
The most powerful feature of VMware NSX is the micro-segmentation that allows us to separate the different protocols our application works with.
Joint Staff Officer at Hellenic National Defence General Staff
 

Categories and Ranking

SolarWinds Network Configur...
Ranking in Network Automation
5th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
28
Ranking in other categories
Configuration Management (14th)
VMware NSX
Ranking in Network Automation
3rd
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
107
Ranking in other categories
Network Virtualization (1st), Cloud and Data Center Security (6th), Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) (6th), Network Detection and Response (NDR) (8th), Microsegmentation Software (2nd)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Network Automation category, the mindshare of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is 7.8%, down from 8.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of VMware NSX is 4.6%, up from 3.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Automation Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
VMware NSX4.6%
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager7.8%
Other87.6%
Network Automation
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer1327239 - PeerSpot reviewer
Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Automated configuration management has improved monitoring, backups, and policy control
I do not think there is anything I would like to improve at this point in time because SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager compares almost perfectly to what it is supposed to do. I think it is one of the best products in its category. Regarding the automation capabilities of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, I think that is an area they will need to explore in making it more autonomous. Discovery happens through IP address scanning, but building out automation is something they need to focus on. I absolutely believe in providing automation for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. It is essential to address how to deploy, discover, and remediate wherever possible. I think that is something they should already be looking at because AAFS is currently something everybody is focused on, and storage also needs to consider it.
Mahesh Bhadoriya - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Manager at Allianz Cloud Private Limited
Micro segmentation has strengthened zero trust security and isolates production from test environments
The advantages of VMware NSX include its micro-segmentation for internal security at the firewall and VM levels, which is very powerful and helps us comply with complete Zero Trust security models. We are able to achieve this and configure network level virtualization with no dependency on VLANs. Micro-segmentation helps improve our security significantly. We are not totally dependent upon our physical upfront firewall, and it makes sense to configure everything using VMware NSX, leading to multiple improvements in our organization. We moved from traditional networking such as VLANs from the firewall and switches to VMware NSX segmentation. We achieve one firewall per VLAN and can stop lateral movement such as ransomware control. The Zero Trust model is the main functionality and architecture it offers, allowing application isolation, such as having a separate production and test environment. Consistent networking and security policies across different environments have a major and very positive impact on our business operations, allowing us to achieve the security posture we want with compliance and regulations.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
11%
Government
9%
Outsourcing Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Outsourcing Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Construction Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business15
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise9
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business34
Midsize Enterprise23
Large Enterprise70
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?
On pricing, I would rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager as one of the best in its segment among leading products and competitors. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is positioned as...
What needs improvement with SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?
I do not think there is anything I would like to improve at this point in time because SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager compares almost perfectly to what it is supposed to do. I think it is...
What is your primary use case for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is used for managing a large number of IPs, distributing them within my enterprise, and addressing issues related to them. People typically manage this thro...
What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?
There are some very major differences between both the Products and to name a few. -Cisco ACI have physical network gear (9K Switches) where the Code runs in ACI Policy Mode & the UCS server wh...
What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?
Once you know your way around the Cisco ecosystem, using Cisco ACI is not so difficult. It is a global product, so when you change one interface, changes are automatically reflected on every switch...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware NSX?
When measuring complexity and costs for our organization, we consider some parameters for effectiveness. In terms of effectiveness in reducing operational complexity, I measure it to be high on the...
 

Also Known As

SolarWinds NCM
VMware Nicira, Lastline Defender
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

United Lincolnshire Hospitals, Air Rarotonga, NetSuite, Thai AirAsia, REA Group, 335th Signal Command, Agilisys, Marine Expeditionary Force
City of Avondale, Lumeta, Kroll Ontrack, Heartland Payment Systems, Baystate Heallth, Exostar, Tribune Media, iGATE, NTT Communications, Synergent, California Natural Resources Agency, Bloomington Public Schools, Columbia Sportswear, Join Experience S.A, Schuberg Philis
Find out what your peers are saying about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs. VMware NSX and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.
917,433 professionals have used our research since 2012.