I’d like to suggest creating a YouTube video covering OpenNebula — an open-source cloud and virtualization platform. It’s a very powerful alternative to VMware, Proxmox, and even some Kubernetes-based orchestration tools, especially for companies and institutions looking for on-premise or hybrid cloud solutions with strong focus on simplicity and digital sovereignty.
Some potential angles for the video could be:
Overview of what OpenNebula is and how it compares to Proxmox, XCP-NG, VMware, or Hyper-V
Typical use cases (private cloud, VDI, edge, and GPUaaS setups)
Installation and initial configuration walkthrough
Integration with storage and networking backends
Pros and cons for MSPs, SMBs, and enterprise IT
Given the growing interest in alternatives to VMware, I think your audience would find this very useful and practical.
True, OpenNebula isn’t that common, so totally get it if Tom hasn’t worked with it yet.
I’ve been using it in real-world projects (private cloud, GPUaaS, hybrid setups), so if there’s ever interest I’d be happy to share insights or even help with demos.
The nice thing is that OpenNebula actually has solid documentation and even an official YouTube channel with step-by-step videos. They’re also very much an ‘engineer-first’ company, so I’m sure they’d support Tom if he ever wanted to cover it. Plus, they’re not only EU-based but also active in the US, which makes them relevant on both sides.
In terms of positioning: VMware is feature-rich but expensive and getting more restrictive, Proxmox is simple and great for SMBs but less enterprise-grade, XCP-NG is stable with Xen Orchestra but smaller ecosystem, while OpenNebula sits in between — lightweight, flexible, and designed for private/hybrid cloud use cases with a strong focus on digital sovereignty.
That’s why I think it could be an interesting topic for the channel.
I’d argue that it matters about the solution to the problem and not so much about this biased comment.
OpenNebula isn’t a universal “sweet spot” — the right choice depends on the problem you’re solving. VMware, Proxmox, XCP-NG, and others all shine in different contexts because requirements vary: ecosystem, integrations, cost, compliance, and scale. Flexibility alone doesn’t make a platform the best fit. The real question isn’t which hypervisor is inherently better, but which one solves the specific business or technical problem in front of you.
I get your point — ultimately it does come down to the specific problem you’re solving. My comment wasn’t meant as “this one is better than the rest,” but rather to outline where each platform tends to fit in the market (at least how I see it, based on my experience).
VMware → feature-rich, but expensive & restrictive
Proxmox → simple & great for SMB/home labs
XCP-NG → stable with Xen Orchestra, smaller ecosystem
OpenNebula → sits between simplicity & enterprise, with focus on private/hybrid cloud + digital sovereignty
Each has strengths and tradeoffs, and the right choice always depends on requirements (scale, ecosystem, cost, compliance). My intent was to give context, not bias.
Yup, tools like CloudStack, OpenStack, and OpenNebula are great at what they’re designed for: giving you cloud-like features (multi-tenancy, APIs, automation, self-service portals). But they are just a dashboard, control panel, & interface layer. I still prefer the full XCP-ng stack myself.
You could add Harvester HCI and Nutanix to the list too, both offer things that kind of fit in the middle or directly compete with VMware and provide local cloud. And Harvester is backed by Suse so it’s going to be around as long as they want to keep it around.