As businesses modernize their data centers, selecting the right hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solution is critical to achieving operational simplicity, scalability, and cost-efficiency. In 2025, two leading contenders are Sangfor HCI and Nutanix. While both platforms offer compelling features, they differ significantly in architecture, security, hardware flexibility, and licensing. This article explores these differences to help IT leaders make informed decisions.
About Nutanix
Nutanix, Inc. is an American company known for pioneering HCI software. The Nutanix platform primarily delivers compute and storage services, with added support for cloud services like Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS), Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), and software-defined storage. Networking and security capabilities have been introduced in recent years but remain limited in scope compared to competitors like Sangfor.
Sangfor HCI: An Overview
Sangfor HCI is a full-stack HCI solution that integrates compute, storage, networking, and security into a unified software-defined platform. It uses a kernel-embedded architecture that enables higher efficiency and tighter integration than virtualization-layer-only solutions. Sangfor also offers advanced security, visualized network management, and simplified operations tailored to SMBs and enterprises alike.
Highlights of Sangfor HCI:
- Full-stack integration: compute, storage, network, and security
- Visualized topology management ("What You Draw Is What You Get")
- Built-in firewall, IPS, and endpoint protection
- Heterogeneous hardware support within the same cluster
- Perpetual licensing and one-edition simplicity
Module Comparison
| Module | Nutanix | Sangfor HCI |
|---|---|---|
| Compute Virtualization | AHV | aSV |
| Storage Virtualization | AOS | aSAN |
| Network Virtualization | Flow | aNET |
| Security Virtualization | Limited / 3rd-party | aSEC |
| Management Platform | Prism | Built-in HTML5 GUI |
| Disaster Recovery & CDP | 3rd-party / optional | Built-in |
| Backup | 3rd-party / optional | Integrated |
| Visualized Network Topology | ✗ | WYDIWYG |
| Hardware Flexibility | ✗ | ✓ (Heterogeneous deployment) |
Security Capabilities
Sangfor delivers native, comprehensive security features out-of-the-box, including Web Application Firewall (WAF), distributed firewall, micro-segmentation, IPS, EDR, and an integrated Cloud Security Center. Nutanix, while introducing some basic security tools, still relies heavily on third-party integrations and lacks end-to-end native security coverage.
Hardware Flexibility
Sangfor supports heterogeneous hardware deployment — allowing different vendors' server platforms in a single cluster. This offers greater flexibility in hardware procurement and deployment, which is particularly advantageous for SMBs or phased upgrade projects. Nutanix, in contrast, does not support multi-vendor clusters, requiring more standardized hardware choices that can limit flexibility.
Licensing & Commercial Model
Sangfor simplifies licensing with a single-edition model (Enterprise Pro) that includes all core HCI features. Its perpetual licensing structure enables easier long-term planning, especially for SMBs. Nutanix, on the other hand, uses a subscription-only model with multiple editions (Starter, Pro, Ultimate), making budgeting less predictable and potentially more expensive over time. Nutanix’s shift to a subscription-only model has introduced long-term cost unpredictability. Sangfor’s perpetual model is easier to budget, especially for SMBs.
Visualized Management: WYDIWYG Advantage
Sangfor offers a "What You Draw Is What You Get" visualized network topology editor — allowing administrators to design, deploy, and manage virtual networks via an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. This significantly reduces complexity and improves troubleshooting.
Nutanix continues to rely on more traditional configuration workflows without a native, visual-first network topology tool.
Cost & SMB Friendliness
Sangfor is positioned as a cost-effective, SMB-friendly HCI platform. It provides:
- Built-in DR, CDP, and backup
- Security and network features at no additional licensing cost
- One-time licensing with predictable renewals
Nutanix, while powerful, offers robust capabilities that can appeal to enterprises with dedicated virtualization and cloud teams. However, its complexity and reliance on subscription licensing may make it less attractive to some organizations, particularly those seeking simpler operations or more predictable long-term costs.
Summary: Sangfor vs Nutanix
| Feature | Nutanix | Sangfor |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Virtualization, server and storage convergence | Virtualization, server, storage, network and security convergence |
| Network virtualization | Partial | ✓ |
| Security virtualization | Rely on 3rd party | ✓ |
| Linked full clone | ✗ | ✓ |
| VM QoS | Only on Pro or Ultimate edition | ✓ |
| Data tiering | ✗ | ✓ |
| CDP | Rely on 3rd party | ✓ |
| Min. RPO for DR | 1 min | 1s |
| WYDIWYG | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hardware platform | SuperMicro, Dell EMC, Lenovo, Cisco, HPE | All mainstream x86 servers |
| Heterogeneous deployment of diff. vendors’ hardware | ✗ | ✓ |
| Stretched cluster | Not supported for AHV | ✓ |
| Min. stretched cluster size | 6 | 4 |
| Min. cluster size with 3 data copies | 5 | 3 |
Sangfor HCI and Nutanix are both credible players in the HCI space. Nutanix remains strong in compute and storage but is catching up in networking and security. Sangfor HCI, by contrast, delivers a truly unified platform — with built-in security, visualized management, and flexible deployment options — all in a single software edition.
For SMBs and mid-market enterprises looking for an efficient, secure, and easy-to-manage HCI solution, Sangfor HCI stands out as a strong alternative to Nutanix in 2025. Contact us to learn more about how Sangfor can simplify and secure your infrastructure.
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on Sangfor’s interpretation of publicly available data as of 19 June 2025. The information is intended to provide a general comparison of features, performance, and licensing options and may not be exhaustive. Readers should verify product details with official vendor sources before making any purchasing decision. Sangfor makes no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. Specifications and features may change without notice.
