OpenStack
OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform that allows companies to create and manage public and private clouds. It provides infrastructure-as-a-service capabilities for managing compute, storage, and networking resources.
OpenStack: Open-Source Cloud Computing Platform
OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform that allows companies to create and manage public and private clouds. It provides infrastructure-as-a-service capabilities for managing compute, storage, and networking resources.
What is OpenStack?
OpenStack is an open-source cloud operating system that controls large pools of compute, storage, and networking resources. It is managed through a dashboard or via the OpenStack API. OpenStack works with popular enterprise and open source technologies, making it ideal for heterogeneous infrastructure.
OpenStack provides an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solution through a variety of complementary services. Each service offers an API that facilitates this integration. Users can choose any combination of OpenStack services needed for their enterprise cloud.
Some of the main services within OpenStack are:
- Nova: Manages pools of compute resources
- Swift: Provides object storage
- Cinder: Manages block storage resources
- Neutron: Enables networking connectivity between interface devices managed by other OpenStack services
By combining these services, users can quickly implement an IaaS cloud that offers advanced compute, storage, and networking. OpenStack has a modular architecture with various code names for its components.
OpenStack is designed to be used by both end users and administrators. It gives users the ability to provision resources through a GUI, CLI, or RESTful API. Administrators can control pools of resources and manage user access.
OpenStack Features
Features
- Virtual machine management
- Block storage management
- Networking management
- Dashboard for managing resources
- APIs for programmatic access
- Identity management
- Image management
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Open source and free to use
Highly scalable and flexible
Supports multiple hypervisors
Active open source community
Modular architecture
Cons
Complex installation and configuration
Steep learning curve
Requires expertise to manage and maintain
Upgrades can be disruptive
Limited documentation and support
Official Links
Reviews & Ratings
Login to Review3.7
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26 reviews
Rating Breakdown
Ease of Use
★
★
★
★
★
2.2
Features
★
★
★
★
★
4.9
Value for Money
★
★
★
★
★
4.4
Customer Support
★
★
★
★
★
2.8
Overall Experience
★
★
★
★
★
3.4
Recent Reviews
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Taylor Walker
Apr 21, 2026
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Powerful and Flexible Foundation for Our Private Cloud
Implementing OpenStack allowed us to break free from vendor lock-in and build a highly customized private cloud tailored to our specific needs. The depth of control over compute, storage, and networking is unmatched, though it requires a skilled team to …
Michael White
Apr 12, 2026
★
★
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Powerful Foundation for Our Private Cloud, but Steep Learning Curve
OpenStack has been transformative for our IT infrastructure, allowing us to build a flexible and scalable private cloud that saved us from vendor lock-in. The ability to manage compute, storage, and networking through a unified, open-source platform is incredibly powerful. …
Skyler Hall
Apr 11, 2026
★
★
★
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★
Powerful but Demanding Cloud Platform
OpenStack gives us complete control over our private cloud infrastructure, which is fantastic for customization and avoiding vendor lock-in. However, the initial setup is extremely complex and the learning curve is steep, requiring dedicated in-house expertise. While it's cost-effective in …
F
Finley Smith
Apr 10, 2026
★
★
★
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Powerful but Painfully Complex for Smaller Teams
While OpenStack provides powerful cloud management capabilities, its deployment and ongoing maintenance have been an absolute nightmare for our team. The initial setup process was a weeks-long ordeal requiring dedicated specialists, and even the most basic updates can break things …
M
Morgan Davis
Apr 07, 2026
★
★
★
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★
Powerful but Demanding Infrastructure Platform
OpenStack has been transformative for our organization's ability to deploy and manage our private cloud infrastructure. The flexibility to control compute, storage, and networking resources with open-source tooling eliminated our vendor lock-in concerns and significantly reduced long-term costs. The learning …
Rating Distribution
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