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StarWind Virtual SAN

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Last updated on

Company health

Employee growth
1% increase in the last year
Web traffic
3% increase in the last quarter

Ratings

G2
4.8/5
(162)

StarWind Virtual SAN description

StarWind Virtual SAN is a software solution that creates a virtual storage network from your existing servers, removing the need for a physical storage area network (SAN). This makes your IT infrastructure simpler and potentially cheaper. StarWind is particularly focused on smaller offices and businesses that need a high-performance and reliable storage solution but might not have the resources for complex IT systems. It boasts easy setup and management, and promises high availability of your data and applications - even if a server fails.


Who is StarWind Virtual SAN best for

StarWind Virtual SAN offers a cost-effective and reliable virtual storage solution. Users praise its seamless vSphere integration and reliable performance. However, some find the initial setup complex. Perfect for small to medium businesses seeking high-availability storage without the cost of traditional SANs.

  • Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses (1-1000 employees) seeking cost-effective storage.

  • Suitable for businesses across all industries seeking reliable and high-performance virtualized storage.


StarWind Virtual SAN features

Supported

StarWind Virtual SAN creates a virtual storage network from existing servers.

Supported

StarWind VSAN offers high availability, which can be easily configured in minutes, ensuring data and application availability even with server failures.

Supported

StarWind Virtual SAN uses ZFS self-healing, AI-powered telemetry, and "call home" systems for automated system recovery and maintenance, minimizing customer intervention.

Supported

StarWind VSAN can run on any hypervisor or cloud and supports any industry-standard server hardware.

Supported

StarWind Virtual SAN includes intelligent automation technologies like built-in monitoring and storage auto-tiering to simplify storage management.

Supported

StarWind Virtual SAN has transparent pricing, covering software, support, and the use of commodity x86 servers, HDDs, or SSDs, with no hidden costs.

Supported

StarWind Virtual SAN uses a simple licensing model to facilitate budgeting.

Qualities

We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software

Value and Pricing Transparency

Rather positive
+0.43

Customer Service

Strongly positive
+1

Ease of Use

Rather positive
+0.6

Reliability and Performance

Strongly positive
+1

Ease of Implementation

Neutral
-0.13

Scalability

Strongly positive
+0.75

StarWind Virtual SAN reviews

We've summarised 162 StarWind Virtual SAN reviews (StarWind Virtual SAN G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of StarWind Virtual SAN
  • Cost-effective, extends hardware lifespan, and reduces costs.
  • Seamless vSphere integration.
  • Linux-based, reducing licensing costs.
  • Reliable, stable performance with minimal sync issues.
  • Excellent and responsive support, even without a paid license.
Cons of StarWind Virtual SAN
  • Complex initial setup and configuration can be challenging, especially for the free version.
  • CentOS End of Life (EOL) poses a security risk and requires future migration.
  • Limited out-of-the-box usability; requires significant planning and customization.
  • Documentation can be inconsistent and outdated due to frequent product changes.
  • Separate license purchase required for witness host; renewal issues exist for pre-witness licenses.

StarWind Virtual SAN pricing

The commentary is based on 69 reviews from StarWind Virtual SAN G2 reviews.

StarWind Virtual SAN is praised for its cost-effectiveness, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. Users highlight its affordable licensing and ability to leverage existing hardware, leading to significant cost savings compared to traditional SAN solutions. However, some find the pricing for support high.

Users sentiment

Rather positive
+0.43

See the StarWind Virtual SAN pricing page.


StarWind Virtual SAN alternatives

  • Logo of Scale Computing Platform
    Scale Computing Platform
    Simple, scalable server virtualization and storage for any business.
    Read more
  • Logo of Datacore SDS
    Datacore SDS
    Unlocks the full potential of your storage. Simple, smart, and efficient.
    Read more
  • Logo of StorMagic SvSAN
    StorMagic SvSAN
    Two-server virtual SAN makes high-availability simple and affordable.
    Read more
  • Logo of StarWind HyperConverged Appliance
    StarWind HyperConverged Appliance
    Turns servers into virtual data centers, simple and affordable.
    Read more
  • Logo of SoftNAS Cloud NAS
    SoftNAS Cloud NAS
    Cloud file storage, simplified, fast, and secure.
    Read more
  • Logo of StarWind Virtual Tape Library
    StarWind Virtual Tape Library
    Replaces physical tape backups with virtual ones, simplifying and securing archives.
    Read more

StarWind Virtual SAN FAQ

  • What is StarWind Virtual SAN and what does StarWind Virtual SAN do?

    StarWind Virtual SAN is a software-defined storage solution that virtualizes server storage, eliminating the need for physical SANs. It offers high availability, automated self-healing, and flexible architecture. Ideal for small to medium businesses, StarWind simplifies storage management and reduces costs.

  • How does StarWind Virtual SAN integrate with other tools?

    StarWind Virtual SAN seamlessly integrates with VMware vSphere and supports any hypervisor or cloud environment. It leverages industry-standard x86 servers and utilizes ZFS for self-healing and automated system recovery. It also features built-in monitoring and storage auto-tiering.

  • What the main competitors of StarWind Virtual SAN?

    Top StarWind Virtual SAN competitors include StorMagic SvSAN, DataCore SDS, and Scale Computing Platform. These alternatives offer similar virtual SAN solutions, focusing on simplicity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness for businesses.

  • Is StarWind Virtual SAN legit?

    StarWind Virtual SAN is a legitimate and safe solution for virtualized storage. It's known for its cost-effectiveness, reliability, and excellent customer support. However, potential users should be aware of the complex initial setup and the need for future CentOS migration.

  • How much does StarWind Virtual SAN cost?

    StarWind Virtual SAN doesn't list pricing for its perpetual and subscription licensing options. For specific product pricing, it's recommended to contact their sales engineering team for a customized quote. This allows for tailored pricing based on your needs.

  • Is StarWind Virtual SAN customer service good?

    StarWind Virtual SAN customer service is highly praised. Users mention proactive, friendly, and efficient support, highlighting quick responses and knowledgeable technicians who provide real solutions. Even users without paid licenses report positive experiences with support.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.