By Shannon Williams
Publication Date: 2026-02-18 16:45:00
CloudBolt reports that most large North American enterprises using VMware are taking steps to reduce their reliance on the virtualisation platform, even though a mass exodus has not materialised in the two years since Broadcom acquired VMware.
In a survey of 302 enterprise IT decision-makers at organisations with more than 1,000 employees, 86% said they are actively reducing their VMware footprint. The results suggest phased transitions rather than full exits, with pricing concerns and operational complexity shaping strategy.
The research also suggests expectations around cost have shifted since 2024. In CloudBolt’s earlier baseline study, 73% of respondents expected VMware costs to more than double. In the latest survey, only 5% said they have seen increases of 100% or more.
Concern about what comes next remains high. Some 88% said they are worried about future price increases, and respondents said that concern is influencing decisions now.
CloudBolt CMO Mark Zembal…
