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HPE Apollo Systems vs IBM Power Systems comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and IBM are both solutions in the Rack Servers category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.0, while IBM is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.9. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 3.8% mindshare in Rack Servers, compared to IBM’s 9.0% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 97% of IBM users who would recommend it.
HPE Apollo Systems
Read 23 HPE Apollo Systems reviews
  • 2,148 Views
  • 1,890 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
IBM Power Systems
Read 71 IBM Power Systems reviews
  • 3,981 Views
  • 3,981 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024
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HPE Apollo Systems and IBM Power Systems compete in the high-performance computing market. IBM Power Systems appear to have the upper hand due to their advanced features that users feel justify the investment.

Features: HPE Apollo Systems are known for scalability, energy efficiency, and flexibility. IBM Power Systems are recognized for high processing power, reliability, and robust security features.

Room for Improvement: HPE Apollo Systems users suggest improvements in integration, software tools, and compatibility with existing systems. IBM Power Systems users desire lower costs, more accessible maintenance procedures, and improved affordability without losing performance.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: HPE Apollo Systems are straightforward to deploy with comprehensive support. IBM Power Systems, despite more complex deployment, offer responsive technical support. HPE excels in faster initial deployment, while IBM provides detailed guidance for complex setups.

Pricing and ROI: HPE Apollo Systems have competitive setup costs and flexible pricing, offering favorable ROI aligned with budget-conscious decisions. IBM Power Systems, with higher upfront costs, promise long-term value and substantial returns, appealing to those prioritizing lasting investment.

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To learn more, read our detailed HPE Apollo Systems vs. IBM Power Systems Report (Updated: July 2025).
Buyer's Guide
HPE Apollo Systems vs. IBM Power Systems
July 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

HPE Apollo Systems
Ranking in Rack Servers
8th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
4.7
Number of Reviews
23
Ranking in other categories
Density Optimized Servers (2nd)
IBM Power Systems
Ranking in Rack Servers
4th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
3.9
Number of Reviews
71
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Rack Servers category, the mindshare of HPE Apollo Systems is 3.8%, down from 4.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Power Systems is 9.0%, up from 8.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Rack Servers
 

Featured Reviews

Aruna Udawatte - PeerSpot reviewer
An affordable and easy-to-implement solution, but its after-sales support and technical support should be improved
We use HPE Apollo for specific requirements of Linux servers HPE Apollo's pricing is low, and implementation is very easy compared to other products. HPE Apollo's after-sales support and technical support should be improved. The solution should provide fast delivery when it comes to replacing a…
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Rohintan-Karanjia - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers security features, including HIPs, Postgres, intrusion prevention systems, and AI for specific tasks
We've found that sometimes, certain setups require better servers. Ideally, the next level of model that IBM offers would be perfect for those situations. Sometimes, the availability of additional services can be a challenge for some software. Certain IBM software takes time to deliver to the client. It can be slow. So deployment is an area for improvement.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"It's pretty flexible. You can choose how much storage you put on the server. You can have one to three nodes, depending on whether you want more CPU or storage."
"It's very reliable. I haven't had a single failure at all in the year and a half; not the slightest problem with it."
"we can use the same platform for several use cases: Hadoop, Ceph, and we are considering the server for another use case right now. It's a single solution, we only have to integrate it once and we can use it for several technologies."
"We usually use three blades for two-rack units, and with enough storage, it's really a small system with a powerful CPU, powerful hard drives, powerful disks."
"HPE Apollo's support is the most valuable feature."
"HPE Apollo's pricing is low, and implementation is very easy compared to other products."
"Absolutely being able to mount into Omni-Path architecture, HFIs on those nodes, because we were the very first site in the world"
"With HPE Apollo, we can propose configurations with many hard drives, making it suitable for large storage needs."
More HPE Apollo Systems pros
"It scales a lot, you can just keep on adding frames, you can add on CPUs, you get capacity on demand, you can tune the machine very easily to handle different workloads."
"The main feature that I have found most valuable is PowerVM - its virtualization feature which is the most powerful."
"Power Systems' best features include its user-friendliness and self-checking/self-healing abilities."
"The SMT that they've improved has really helped open up boundaries for other applications that can use it."
"The most valuable features of the solution are disaster recovery, replication, and the ability to migrate to another location."
"The solution does not require any maintenance."
"The technical support that clients get from IBM is excellent."
"From a reliability standpoint it has provided us with excellent performance."
More IBM Power Systems pros
 

Cons

"We are quite happy with it, but its price and storage density can be better."
"One drawback which I had: When I needed to expand storage on the Apollo, I had significant problems getting disks for it. It was a very long wait-time. So, if I were to give any advice in regards to improving this product, I would say make more of the 8TB disks available quicker."
"We would like to see improved cooling because that is quite an issue. If you put that much compute power into a single rack, cooling really becomes an issue. And there is room for improvement there."
"If there could be some training for our team, we would be better equipped to promote and support HPE Apollo."
"The technical support for HPE Apollo Systems could be improved."
"The support from HPE Apollo could be better, they are making knowledgeable."
"What's coming out in Gen 10 is very strong in terms of additional security."
"The solution's deployment, security, and scalability need improvement."
More HPE Apollo Systems cons
"I know lab services does a lot of work but systems, if they could include some kind of lab services and bundling of services to get you to the greatest and latest feature at the already included cost"
"IBM should be more flexible with marketing or offer marketing events themselves and invite the partners to attend. That might be far more productive."
"Price and complexity related to the management of the solution are areas of concern in the solution where improvements are required."
"Technical support and documentation need to be improved."
"Better manage heterogeneous footprints of all the different operating systems that are out there across one common interface."
"The solution is highly-priced."
"The solution could improve the memory database for better integration with SAP HANA."
"I think IBM needs a little more work on managing the overall environment with eliminating Systems Director."
More IBM Power Systems cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is an annual license required to use HPE Apollo."
"The price of the solution is more expensive than Dell which is their main competitor. However, there are times we have managed to receive a comparable price."
"It is an expensive solution but it is worth the money. The standard licensing cost is for the GPU and the features that someone is using. There are additional charges but they depend on the solution."
"Compared to other products, HPE Apollo is not an expensive solution."
"Obviously I would like to see the cost go down. That speaks for itself."
"Power Systems is a bit more costly than other products in the market, but in terms of ROI and the longevity, performance, and reliability that Power Systems provides, it's worth it in the long run."
"The additional software costs are high."
"There is a yearly licensing cost, and it's an expensive solution."
"Power Systems is very cheap and provides good value for money."
"The solution's pricing is very, very high compared to other platforms."
"It is designed for a large workload, as opposed to a small workload. For our circumstances, and even as an independent, I can't buy a Power system to experiment on. It can't happen. You cannot buy them."
"Price-wise, I rate the solution a five out of ten."
"I give the cost a one out of ten."
More IBM Power Systems pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
13%
Computer Software Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
15%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about HPE Apollo?
HPE Apollo's pricing is low, and implementation is very easy compared to other products.
See all answers
What needs improvement with HPE Apollo?
Additional features would be beneficial in the next release of HPE Apollo Systems.
See all answers
What is your primary use case for HPE Apollo?
We were working with HPE Apollo Systems for one of our projects for the company named VVDN. We were using HPE Apollo Systems, GPU systems and CPU systems. For GPU systems, the model was 6500, in wh...
See all answers
What do you like most about IBM Power Systems?
IBM Power Systems provides very good performance and stability compared to other brands or processors.
See all answers
What needs improvement with IBM Power Systems?
There are definitely areas for improvement, but that's not really from the technological side of things. I rarely find any people with Power skills on the market. When I get young people from unive...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for IBM Power Systems?
I use IBM Power Systems for online transactional processing, and in parts, also for online analytical processing. We mainly use IBM Power Systems' IBMI, which is an operating system with an integra...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs HPE Apollo Systems Logo
HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs HPE Apollo Systems
Compared 36% of the time
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers vs HPE Apollo Systems Logo
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers vs HPE Apollo Systems
Compared 21% of the time
Dell PowerEdge FX vs HPE Apollo Systems Logo
Dell PowerEdge FX vs HPE Apollo Systems
Compared 8% of the time
Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs HPE Apollo Systems Logo
Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs HPE Apollo Systems
Compared 7% of the time
HPE Moonshot vs HPE Apollo Systems Logo
HPE Moonshot vs HPE Apollo Systems
Compared 5% of the time
More HPE Apollo Systems Competitors
Intel Server System vs IBM Power Systems Logo
Intel Server System vs IBM Power Systems
Compared 38% of the time
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers vs IBM Power Systems Logo
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers vs IBM Power Systems
Compared 19% of the time
HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs IBM Power Systems Logo
HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs IBM Power Systems
Compared 16% of the time
Oracle SPARC Servers vs IBM Power Systems Logo
Oracle SPARC Servers vs IBM Power Systems
Compared 16% of the time
Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs IBM Power Systems Logo
Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs IBM Power Systems
Compared 1% of the time
More IBM Power Systems Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
HPE Apollo Systems
August 2025
HPE Apollo Systems reportDownload HPE Apollo Systems product report
Buyer's Guide
IBM Power Systems
August 2025
IBM Power Systems reportDownload IBM Power Systems product report
 

Also Known As

HP Apollo Systems, HP ProLiant SL, HP Apollo
IBM OpenPOWER LC
 

Overview

The HPE Apollo high-density server family is built for the highest levels of performance and efficiency. They are rack-scale compute, storage, networking, power and cooling – massively scale-up and scale-out – solutions for your big data analytics, object storage and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. From water-cooling that’s 1,000X more efficient than air, to “right-sized scaling” with 2X the compute density for workgroup and private cloud workloads, the HPE Apollo line is a dense, high-performance, tiered approach for organisations of all sizes.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise
IBM Power Systems are built to crush the most advanced data applications - from the mission-critical workloads you run today to the next generation of AI.
IBM
 

Sample Customers

Weta Digital
Cipher
Buyer's Guide
HPE Apollo Systems vs. IBM Power Systems
July 2025
Free Report: HPE Apollo Systems vs. IBM Power Systems
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