Broadcom’s purchase of VMware late last year has left many customers feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place. Companies that once relied on VMware’s virtualization tools are now grappling with steep price hikes and complicated subscription models. For some, the choice boils down to paying more for VMware or facing the enormous task of switching to a new platform.

Take the case of a global food manufacturer, for example. With 300 VMware virtual machines running everything from logistics to production, the company’s IT manager described the situation as a lose-lose scenario. “We love VMware, but we can’t afford to keep it,” they admitted. After their five-year enterprise agreement expired, the company saw costs for VMware’s vSphere jump fourfold. Now, they’re exploring alternatives, but the process is anything but simple.

Support issues have only made matters worse. Since Broadcom took over, many customers have reported longer wait times for help and a lack of direct access to VMware’s support team. One IT manager shared that their support tickets were automatically rerouted to an IT distributor, with responses taking a week or more. “It’s been a nightmare,” they said.

Migrating away from VMware isn’t a walk in the park either. Estimates suggest that large-scale transitions could take up to four years and cost thousands of dollars per virtual machine. For businesses with hundreds or thousands of VMs, the financial and logistical burden is staggering.

Broadcom has begun offering discounts on some subscriptions, but experts warn that prices could climb even higher in the future. “Everybody’s asking what everybody else is doing, but nobody’s really doing anything,” noted one analyst.

For now, customers are caught in a tough spot. Sticking with VMware means higher costs and uncertainty, while leaving involves a massive effort and expense. As one IT manager put it, “We loved VMware. And then when Broadcom bought ’em, we hated ’em.” The road ahead, it seems, will be long and costly for everyone involved.