In short
Both whitesky and Proxmox provide open-source based virtualization, but they differ significantly in operational model and support. whitesky is designed for organizations that want the flexibility of modern cloud infrastructure without the burden of managing DIY open-source systems.
Overview
Proxmox VE is an open-source virtualization platform combining KVM-based VMs and LXC containers in a single interface. It has gained popularity for its zero-cost licensing and flexibility. However, organizations often find that running Proxmox at scale requires significant operational expertise and investment in internal tooling.
whitesky is built and integrated on open-source foundations (Linux, KVM, Kubernetes), adding enterprise features, managed operations, and federation capabilities that make it practical for MSPs and organizations that prefer to focus on their business rather than infrastructure.
Key differences
Operational model
| Aspect | whitesky | Proxmox |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Fully managed service | DIY installation and configuration |
| Operations | Handled by whitesky team | Internal team required |
| Updates and patches | Automated by whitesky | Manual by admin |
| Monitoring | 24/7 proactive monitoring | Self-configured |
| Support | SLA-backed managed support | Community or paid support |
Licensing and cost
| Aspect | whitesky | Proxmox |
|---|---|---|
| Software cost | Included with service | Open-source (free) |
| Hardware ownership | Customer or partner owned | Customer owned |
| Operational cost | Predictable (fixed capacity-based or pay-per-use) | Requires internal team |
| Hidden costs | None | Staff time, training, tooling |
Enterprise features
| Aspect | whitesky | Proxmox |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-tenancy | Built-in with billing | Single-tenant (manual isolation) |
| Self-service portal | Yes, for customers | Admin only |
| Billing and metering | Built-in | Requires external tools |
| Federation | Built-in across locations | No native MSP federation |
| White-label | Yes | Not natively (MSP-oriented) |
Feature comparison
Core virtualization
Both platforms support:
- KVM-based virtual machines
- Containers: Proxmox via LXC system containers; whitesky via managed Kubernetes (containerspaces)
- Software-defined storage
- Networking with VLANs and firewalls
Advanced capabilities
| Feature | whitesky | Proxmox |
|---|---|---|
| Load balancers | Built-in | Manual configuration |
| Object storage | Built-in (S3-compatible) | Requires additional setup (Ceph, MinIO) |
| Kubernetes | Built-in (containerspaces) | Manual K8s installation |
| VDI | Built-in | Requires additional setup |
| Backup | Built-in, cross-location | Built-in backups; advanced via Proxmox Backup Server |
| DNS and SSL | Built-in | Manual configuration |
Management
| Aspect | whitesky | Proxmox |
|---|---|---|
| Web UI | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Full REST API | Full REST API |
| Multi-user access | Role-based, multi-tenant | Single-cluster view |
| Customer self-service | Yes | No |
| Automated billing | Yes | No |
When to choose whitesky
Consider whitesky if:
- You lack infrastructure expertise - managed service handles operations
- You need multi-tenancy - built-in customer isolation and billing
- You want predictable costs - fixed capacity-based pricing or pay-per-use vs. staff + tools
- You need federation - connect across locations and partners
- You serve customers - white-label portal and self-service for end users
- You prefer not to DIY - no manual updates, patching, or troubleshooting
When Proxmox may still fit
Proxmox may remain appropriate if:
- You have strong Linux expertise - comfortable with CLI and DIY management
- Budget is the primary constraint - open-source software with internal team
- Single small deployment - one or two nodes, limited scale
- You want full control - no vendor dependencies whatsoever
- You’re comfortable with tooling - able to build your own monitoring and backup
Migration path
Moving from Proxmox to whitesky is straightforward:
- Assessment - whitesky evaluates your current environment and workloads
- Planning - identify VMs to migrate and resource requirements
- Export - export VMs from Proxmox using standard formats
- Import - import into whitesky cloudspaces
- Cutover - DNS updates and validation
Get started
Contact whitesky to discuss your migration from Proxmox or to understand how managed services can reduce your operational burden.
Request a demo to see whitesky in action and compare it against your current Proxmox setup.