By @RabiaNoureen11
Publication Date: 2026-02-18 15:10:00
Key Takeaways:
- Predicted large-scale VMware exit hasn’t happened—but diversification is accelerating.
- Pricing, licensing, and support concerns are driving long-term strategy shifts.
- Most organizations are already reducing VMware reliance and testing alternatives.
The anticipated mass departure from VMware never materialized, but the industry is now experiencing a strategic shift as organizations reassess their virtualization roadmaps. Broadcom’s sweeping changes have prompted IT leaders to steadily diversify their infrastructure choices.
CloudBolt Software released a report dubbed “The Mass Exodus That Never Was: The Squeeze Is Just Beginning.” This survey gathered insights from 302 IT decision-makers at North American organizations with at least 1,000 employees in January 2026.
Broadcom completed the acquisition of VMware in November 2023. The company acquired VMware as part of a major strategic shift that reshaped the virtualization and cloud‑infrastructure landscape. Following the deal, organizations experienced notable operational disruptions that prompted many to reassess their dependence on VMware and gradually adjust their cloud and virtualization strategies.
Pricing pressures and licensing shifts
According to the survey, 88% of the respondents mentioned that this change was disruptive. It pointed to several major sources of disruption, with rising prices topping…
