Compare OpenStack vs. Platform9 vs. Rancher

OpenStack serves as a cloud operating system that manages extensive collections of compute, storage, and networking resources across a datacenter, all facilitated through APIs that utilize unified authentication methods. It also features a dashboard that enables administrators to oversee operations while allowing users to allocate resources via a web interface. In addition to basic infrastructure-as-a-service capabilities, various components offer orchestration, fault management, and service management, among other features, to guarantee the high availability of applications utilized by users. OpenStack is modular, consisting of various services that allow for the flexible integration of components based on specific requirements. The OpenStack map provides a comprehensive overview of the ecosystem, illustrating how these services interconnect and collaborate effectively. This modular approach not only enhances customization but also paves the way for seamless scalability within the cloud infrastructure.

Platform9 Private Cloud Director turns existing servers and storage into a fully featured private cloud. It provides a fast and efficient method for organizations to migrate away from VMware, with minimal disruption. Enterprise IT teams get a familiar virtualization management experience and a true drop-in replacement for VMware vSphere features, offering all critical enterprise features out of the box: Virtual Machine (VM) High Availability, live migration (vMotion equivalent), Dynamic Resource Rebalancing (VMware DRS equivalent), VM cloning, snapshots, templates, software-defined networking, and secure multi-tenancy. Unlike other solutions that may require proprietary hyperconverged infrastructure or re-platforming to Kubernetes, Private Cloud Director works with existing environments—including servers from Dell, HPE, Lenovo, and storage systems from NetApp, Tintri, Pure Storage, and more. Private Cloud Director can be deployed as a fully self-managed solution, a SaaS-managed service, or in air-gapped environments, giving IT teams complete control over their operating model. With Platform9’s free vJailbreak tool, enterprises can perform automated migrations of entire VMware vSphere clusters to Private Cloud Director—including complex VM configurations, multiple datastores, and advanced network policies—at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional approaches. Private Cloud Director supports both VMs and container workloads on a single unified platform, enabling a gradual transition to cloud-native architecture without disrupting current operations. Private Cloud Director can be deployed flexibly as a fully self-managed solution, a SaaS-managed service, or in air-gapped environments.

Rancher empowers you to provide Kubernetes-as-a-Service across various environments, including datacenters, cloud, and edge. This comprehensive software stack is designed for teams transitioning to container technology, tackling both operational and security issues associated with managing numerous Kubernetes clusters. Moreover, it equips DevOps teams with integrated tools to efficiently handle containerized workloads. With Rancher’s open-source platform, users can deploy Kubernetes in any setting. Evaluating Rancher against other top Kubernetes management solutions highlights its unique delivery capabilities. You won’t have to navigate the complexities of Kubernetes alone, as Rancher benefits from a vast community of users. Developed by Rancher Labs, this software is tailored to assist enterprises in seamlessly implementing Kubernetes-as-a-Service across diverse infrastructures. When it comes to deploying critical workloads on Kubernetes, our community can rely on us for exceptional support, ensuring they are never left in the lurch. In addition, Rancher's commitment to continuous improvement means that users will always have access to the latest features and enhancements.