VMware HCX (Hybrid Cloud Extension)

What it is good at

The reference tool for large vSphere estates. Layer-2 network extension means IP addresses survive the move, bulk migration handles hundreds of VMs per wave, and vMotion-class cutover gives zero downtime.

Where it falls down

Heavy appliance footprint on both ends, vSphere-to-vSphere only, and the on-prem-to-on-prem use case now depends on a VCF subscription.

Capabilities

• Live migration (no guest downtime)
• Changed-block tracking / incremental sync
• Wave / batch orchestration
• Agentless operation
• Network and IP mapping
• Encryption in flight
• Non-disruptive test migration
• API / CLI automation

Cost and licensing

Cost category

Included — No extra charge if you already hold the platform licence.

Indicative price

Included with VCF / cloud SDDC; Enterprise tier is an add-on

Licence model

HCX Advanced is entitled through VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and is included at no extra charge with AVS, VMware Cloud on AWS, GCVE and OCVS. HCX Enterprise (Replication Assisted vMotion, OS Assisted Migration, mobility groups) is a paid add-on.

How to license it

If you are migrating INTO a cloud SDDC, HCX Advanced comes with the SDDC subscription - activate it from the cloud console and it issues the on-prem activation key. For on-prem to on-prem, you need VCF entitlement from Broadcom; HCX Enterprise is ordered per CPU/core through Broadcom or a partner.

Lifecycle

Current

Vendor page

https://www.vmware.com/products/cloud-infrastructure/hcx

Pricing and licensing last reviewed 2026-09-18. Indicative only - confirm with the vendor.

Supported sources

• VMware vSphere / ESXi (vCenter)
• Azure VMware Solution (AVS)
• VMware Cloud on AWS / VCF on AWS
• Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE)
• Oracle Cloud VMware Solution (OCVS)

Supported targets

• VMware vSphere / ESXi (vCenter)
• Azure VMware Solution (AVS)
• VMware Cloud on AWS / VCF on AWS
• Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE)
• Oracle Cloud VMware Solution (OCVS)