--- title: "Acronis Cyber Frame: The VMware alternative for MSPs and CSPs" description: Use Acronis-hosted Cyber Frame Cloud, SP-hosted Cyber Frame Local or both to deliver protected IaaS with built-in backup, disaster recovery, security and RMM. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/compare-acronis/acronis-vs-vmware/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- # Acronis Cyber Frame: The VMware alternative for MSPs and CSPs Looking for a VMware alternative built for service providers? Acronis Cyber Frame gives MSPs and CSPs two practical ways to move off VMware: migrate customer VMware workloads into a provider-delivered public cloud, or replace the VMware stack behind a CSP’s own cloud. [Request offer](https://www.acronis.com/en/compare-acronis/acronis-vs-vmware/#form) [Try now](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cloud/trial/?service=cyber-frame&utm_webteam=compete-header-vmware) Looking for help? ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What VMware use cases is Acronis Cyber Frame designed for? Acronis Cyber Frame is designed for two VMware motions for service providers. MSPs and CSPs can move customer VMware workloads into a provider-delivered public cloud using Cyber Frame Cloud, Cyber Frame Local or both. CSPs can also replace the VMware stack behind their own public cloud with Cyber Frame Local to improve platform control, tenant isolation, built-in protection and service economics. ### Is Acronis Cyber Frame a VMware alternative for MSPs and CSPs? Yes. Acronis Cyber Frame is a VMware alternative for MSPs and CSPs that want to deliver multitenant IaaS, migrate customer workloads, replace VMware-based provider cloud infrastructure and package protected managed services. It should be evaluated as a service-provider IaaS platform, not only as a hypervisor replacement. ### How does Acronis Cyber Frame compare to VMware? VMware is a mature enterprise virtualization platform. Acronis Cyber Frame is built for MSP and CSP service delivery, with native multitenancy, tenant isolation, built-in backup, disaster recovery, security, RMM, white-label delivery and Cloud or Local deployment options. ### Which is better for MSPs: Acronis Cyber Frame or VMware? Acronis Cyber Frame is often the stronger fit for MSPs that want to move customer VMware workloads into protected IaaS without building and operating a full infrastructure stack first. Cyber Frame Cloud lets MSPs start with Acronis-hosted infrastructure, while Cyber Frame Local is available when infrastructure ownership becomes strategic. ### Which is better for CSPs: Acronis Cyber Frame or VMware? Acronis Cyber Frame is strong for CSPs that want to replace the VMware stack behind their public cloud, control tenant experience, workload location and service economics. VMware remains familiar and mature, but Cyber Frame is designed around provider-owned IaaS, multitenancy and integrated cyber protection. ### Can Acronis Cyber Frame replace VMware in a provider cloud? Yes. Cyber Frame can replace or complement VMware in service-provider environments where the goal is to deliver virtual machines, storage and networking as protected IaaS. Providers can start with selected workloads, pilot tenants or new service offers, then expand through phased migration. ### Can service providers migrate customer VMware workloads to Cyber Frame? Yes. Cyber Frame supports several VMware migration paths, including direct migration, convert to VM for staged backup-based migration and restore to VM for targeted one-by-one moves. This helps providers match the migration method to workload size, connectivity, risk tolerance and cutover requirements. ### Does Acronis Cyber Frame include backup, disaster recovery and security? Yes. Cyber Frame VMs are protected by default with Acronis cyber protection capabilities. Backup, EDR / XDR and RMM are included for Cyber Frame VMs, while Acronis-hosted backup storage and Acronis-hosted disaster recovery are billed separately. Providers should package these capabilities clearly in their offers. ### How is Acronis Cyber Frame licensed compared with VMware? Cyber Frame Cloud uses a consumption-based model for resources such as vCPU, RAM, block storage, object storage and public IPs. Cyber Frame Local uses infrastructure-based licensing tied to physical CPU cores and usable cluster storage. Providers should compare Cyber Frame against VMware by modeling the full-service stack, including protection, management, migration and billing workflows. ### Who should choose Acronis Cyber Frame instead of VMware? Choose Acronis Cyber Frame if you are an MSP or CSP that wants to build, resell or manage IaaS with native multitenancy, tenant isolation, integrated protection, flexible migration and provider-branded delivery. VMware may remain the right choice when the business depends on existing VMware-specific tooling or integrations. Product help In case you have any difficulties, we have collected all the useful materials for this product in our [FAQ](https://kb.acronis.com/content/64830/), [Video Tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/user/Acronis/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=2) and [Documentation](https://www.acronis.com/en/support/documentation/). Also you can always ask your question on our [Discussion Boards](https://forum.acronis.com/). Technical support Customers with active product maintenance or subscription are entitled to 24/7 technical support. Follow the instructions at the [Technical Support Site](https://www.acronis.com/en/support/providers/general-info/) to get prompt support by phone, chat or e-mail. ## Why MSPs and CSPs choose Acronis as their VMware alternative For MSPs and CSPs, replacing VMware is not only a hypervisor decision. The right platform must increase public cloud profitability, strengthen workload resilience and help providers turn infrastructure into a scalable managed service. | | Acronis | VMware | | --- | --- | --- | | Business economics | ✅ Build a more profitable IaaS business with lower costs, protected VMs by default and more opportunities to attach managed services. Sample models show 40%+ TCO improvement for service providers and up to 70% cost reduction for end customers. | ⚠️ After Broadcom's acquisition, VMware put greater emphasis on larger enterprise accounts. Many service providers have faced higher virtualization and stack pricing. That pressure hits the bottom line before providers add storage, networking, multitenancy, backup, security and management tools. | | Partner program | ✅ Designed for any service provider partner that wants to launch, resell or operate protected IaaS through Cloud, Local or both. Partners can choose a path based on speed, control and margin strategy. | ⚠️ For many service providers, joining or renewing VMware cloud provider access is hard. The path can depend on authorization, invitation, eligibility or working through an approved provider. | | All-in-one solution | ✅ Combine hypervisor, software-defined storage, software-defined networking, multitenancy, self-service, backup, DR, security and RMM in one SP-ready platform. | ⚠️ Providers often assemble vSphere, vSAN, NSX, VMware Cloud Director, chargeback tools and third-party protection products to deliver a complete cloud service. | | Ease of launching a public cloud | ✅ Launch protected IaaS from Acronis-hosted Cyber Frame Cloud without buying hardware, then use migration paths to bring customer VMware workloads into the new service. | ❌ VMware does not provide an equivalent hosted IaaS service that MSPs can activate and resell. Providers typically need to build, host and operate the cloud stack themselves. | | Built-in cyber protection | ✅ Package every Cyber Frame VM with built-in backup, disaster recovery, anti-malware, anti-ransomware, EDR / XDR and RMM capabilities. | ❌ VMware runs workloads, but full VM protection, recovery, endpoint security and monitoring are not included as a default provider service layer. | | Deployment choice | ✅ Use Cloud to capture customer VMware migration demand quickly, use Local to move a CSP-hosted cloud off VMware or use both as the business grows. | ⚠️ VMware is primarily a provider-operated infrastructure model. A hosted resale path, provider-hosted path and hybrid growth path must be assembled separately. | | Native multitenancy | ✅ Run multiple customers on shared infrastructure with tenant isolation, delegated access, quotas, usage visibility and per-tenant controls. | ❌ Missing in core vSphere: Providers typically need VMware Cloud Director, custom architecture or additional tooling for multitenant self-service. | | Open foundation | ✅ Build on optimized OpenStack and KVM with OpenStack-compatible APIs for automation and no proprietary hypervisor dependency. | ⚠️ VMware is a mature proprietary stack, tying providers to VMware licensing, roadmap decisions and platform-specific skills. | | White-label delivery | ✅ Offer provider-branded IaaS with customer self-service, tenant controls, usage visibility and PSA-aligned workflows. | ⚠️ Branding, customer portals, billing workflows and service-desk alignment usually require additional products or custom integration. | | Regional and sovereign control | ✅ Use Acronis regional infrastructure through Cloud or run Local in the provider data center or colocation facility to control workload location and jurisdiction. | ⚠️ VMware can run locally, but the provider must design the sovereignty model, tenant controls, protection stack and operations process separately. | ## A VMware alternative for every vSphere and Cloud Foundation option Service providers have multiple VMware product options, from vSphere Standard and vSphere Enterprise Plus to VMware vSphere Foundation and VMware Cloud Foundation. Below is a practical overview of each option and how Acronis Cyber Frame compares. vSphere Standard vSphere Enterprise Plus VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) ### Basic VMware virtualization for smaller environments **Option explained:** vSphere Standard is the entry VMware option for running and managing virtual machines on ESXi hosts with vCenter. It fits basic virtualization and consolidation use cases, but it does not deliver a complete service-provider cloud stack on its own. **How Cyber Frame is better:** Cyber Frame gives MSPs and CSPs a ready path to protected IaaS instead of only basic virtualization. Cyber Frame Cloud lets MSPs launch without hardware, while Cyber Frame Local adds multitenancy, self-service, VM protection, usage visibility and provider-branded delivery on SP-controlled infrastructure. ![Image 2: Basic VMware virtualization for smaller environments](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/7daff03e82f4aa4f18f17ed5743dd8b0.png) ### Advanced vSphere for larger virtualization environments **Option explained:** vSphere Enterprise Plus adds advanced vSphere capabilities for larger and more automated VMware environments. It strengthens virtualization operations, but providers still need to add or integrate storage, networking, multitenancy, protection, billing and service workflows to turn it into a cloud offer. **How Cyber Frame is better:** Cyber Frame is designed around the service offer, not only the virtualization layer. It combines compute, storage, networking, tenant controls, migration paths, backup, security and RMM so MSPs and CSPs can sell protected infrastructure with less assembly work. ![Image 3: Advanced vSphere for larger virtualization environments](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/4df140f0baa09e3235ba5ca0f6af7b88.png) ### A broader virtualization and operations bundle **Option explained:** VMware vSphere Foundation is a subscription bundle for customers that want more than standalone vSphere, typically combining advanced vSphere with selected storage and operations capabilities. It can help modernize VMware estates, but it remains centered on VMware infrastructure rather than partner-led managed IaaS. **How Cyber Frame is better:** Cyber Frame is broader for service-provider monetization because it adds Cloud or Local deployment, native multitenancy, customer self-service, white-label delivery, migration workflows and built-in cyber protection. It helps providers package infrastructure as a recurring service, not only refresh the VMware stack. ![Image 4: A broader virtualization and operations bundle](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/bfa80153c3e2b491de4fc6011fa1d66e.png) ### Full VMware private cloud stack **Option explained:** VMware Cloud Foundation is the broadest VMware private cloud option, bringing together compute, storage, networking, management and lifecycle capabilities for a software-defined data center. It is powerful and mature, but it can be heavy and expensive for providers that need an accessible, margin-focused public cloud business model. **How Cyber Frame is better:** Cyber Frame gives service providers a more cost-effective path to protected IaaS than VCF, with built-in backup, DR, security and RMM for Cyber Frame VMs. It also includes SP-ready features such as customer self-service, PSA integration, tenant controls and partner branding, KVM-based virtualization without VMware stack dependency. ![Image 5: Full VMware private cloud stack](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/3bc06d6b82233649b07a479ea988fefe.png) ## Awards and certifications [![Image 6](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/460dbd46ed4aab614ea66a438dea04eb.png) IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cyber-Recovery Leader](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/idc-recognizes-acronis-as-a-leader-in-the-2025-idc-marketscape-for-worldwide-cyber-recovery/) [![Image 7](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/a4111102d7db73b0d67c14b245796398.png) Frost Radar™: Endpoint Security Leader](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/resource-center/resource/frost-and-sullivan-frost-radar-endpoint-security/) [![Image 8](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/0d598f9e29e6b6a7e48dd34dac2a04b3.png) CRN Security 100 List](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-earns-a-spot-on-the-crn-security-100-list-for-the-fourth-consecutive-year/) [![Image 9](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/580b690ca69cececde82fde57a22ad79.png) SoftwareReviews Backup and Availability Champion](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-earns-champion-status-in-four-info-tech-softwarereviews-reports/) [![Image 10](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/4aa526cbb038245a35563243bebb5c63.png) OPSWAT Platinum certification for anti-malware](https://www.opswat.com/blog/opswat-access-control-certification-oaccp-update-for-july-2021) [![Image 11](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/3ead81d51504df24bae6c7d4ce3a7cb9.png) G2 Grid Leader for Endpoint Protection Suites](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/customers-named-acronis-a-leader-across-seven-g2-fall-2026-grid-reports/) [![Image 12](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/de92e042bb6718d70de41665eae2ea44.png) Cloud Security Alliance member](https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/star/registry/acronis-international-gmbh) ![Image 13](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/fc3081cc150fa16b84715d62c7f024d2.png) ICSA Labs endpoint anti-malware certified ![Image 14](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/05a8910d2b2c1fcb85ca3cc986d709c8.png) Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization member ![Image 15](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/b79f8d8911336c5d18e2ef260c6821f2.png) VirusTotal member [See all awards](https://www.acronis.com/en/company/awards/) Switch to Acronis and get up to 100% back Migrate from VMware to Acronis Cyber Frame and receive up to 100% of your Acronis usage back through the end of your current contract. Complete the form and an Acronis expert will contact you with migration promo details. * ![Image 16](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/0d598f9e29e6b6a7e48dd34dac2a04b3.png) CRN Security 100 List * ![Image 17](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/24e77eadd4b35b4764810a66b83e9ba4.png) Endpoint Security Leader * ![Image 18](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/0ba213e483fe8687f8f0729528bbc4f6.png) AV-TEST participant and test winner * ![Image 19](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/0dffe3e018466a846ec6c1db513de442.png) AAA Certification in Enterprise Advanced Security Complete this form to ensure the right team member can contact you First Name Last Name Business Email Address IMPORTANT: Please make sure you're providing your corporate email address! 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Google Recaptcha ## Useful resources ![Image 20: Build a profitable IaaS business with Acronis Cyber Frame](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/8cc3e0ad00fd0cdd9256e1404b466790.png) EBook ### [Build a profitable IaaS business with Acronis Cyber Frame](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/how-to-build-a-profitable-iaas-business-with-acronis-cyber-frame/) A practical business guide for service providers that want to grow, optimize or launch infrastructure services. ![Image 21: Acronis Cyber Frame Cloud – Overview](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/277a534d5fd2e8dafe3af72cc3929f0b.png) Datasheet ### [Acronis Cyber Frame Cloud – Overview](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/acronis-cyber-frame-cloud/) Modernize your infrastructure with less complexity and greater control. ![Image 22: Acronis Cyber Frame – Demo video](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/0b6a09417166c7b17e9fc9216fce34f4.png) Video ### [Acronis Cyber Frame – Demo video](https://www.acronis.com/en/resource-center/resource/acronis-cyber-frame-an-overview/) See how to create a tenant in Acronis Cyber Platform (formerly Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud), provision Cyber Frame and set up a basic customer environment step by step.