Dell PowerEdge C- Series vs HPE Apollo Systems comparison

Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are both solutions in the Density Optimized Servers category. Dell Technologies is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.4, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.0. Dell Technologies holds a 24.1% mindshare in DOS, compared to Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s 18.0% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users who would recommend it.

Dell PowerEdge C- Series

Read 32 Dell PowerEdge C- Series reviews

897 Views
457 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

HPE Apollo Systems

Read 24 HPE Apollo Systems reviews

1,962 Views
235 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Dell PowerEdge C- Series

HPE Apollo Systems

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 7, 2025

Dell PowerEdge C-Series and HPE Apollo Systems compete in the specialized server solutions category. Dell PowerEdge is attractive for its reasonable pricing and user-friendly management, while HPE Apollo is often favored for its advanced features and extensive storage, despite being more expensive.

Features: Dell PowerEdge C-Series includes comprehensive management tools like iDRAC, notable for high performance and hardware resiliency, and supports remote server management. It stands out with high CPU processing power and virtualization capabilities. HPE Apollo offers high storage capacity, flexibility, and density, which is optimal for large-scale storage and AI requirements. It provides high compute density and the ability to integrate various technologies.

Room for Improvement: Dell PowerEdge could improve support, reduce costs, and enhance firmware updates. Users also desire better port availability and compatibility with other hypervisors. HPE Apollo could enhance connectivity, expand storage more swiftly, improve cooling, scale better, and streamline licensing.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both systems support on-premises deployment, with Dell PowerEdge offering more flexibility, including hybrid options. Dell faces occasional delays and complex support protocols, while HPE Apollo is appreciated for its 24/7 technical support. Dell receives positive feedback for responsive service but faces challenges due to offshore support.

Pricing and ROI: Dell PowerEdge is considered affordable with a positive ROI and a fair licensing model. It is slightly expensive but viewed as worthwhile with medium-range pricing. HPE Apollo, while more costly, offers a substantial ROI thanks to enhanced capabilities and is particularly beneficial for specific high-end applications.

To learn more, read our detailed Dell PowerEdge C- Series vs. HPE Apollo Systems Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge C- Series vs. HPE Apollo Systems

February 2026

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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

Dell PowerEdge C- Series

Ranking in Density Optimized Servers

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Blade Servers (7th)

HPE Apollo Systems

Ranking in Density Optimized Servers

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

5.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Rack Servers (7th)

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Density Optimized Servers category, the mindshare of Dell PowerEdge C- Series is 24.1%, down from 25.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Apollo Systems is 18.0%, down from 23.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Density Optimized Servers Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Dell PowerEdge C- Series	24.1%
HPE Apollo Systems	18.0%
Other	57.9%

Density Optimized Servers

Featured Reviews

Gouranga Maiti

Sr. Project Manager IT at ITC Ltd

High-performance servers have powered secure database analytics and flexible virtualization

The processing power and computing power are very good. Even with the Xeon Gold processor, it is performing very well without any issues. After migrating to these servers, we reduced the number of cores or CPUs from our infrastructure level. However, it is still not reaching the threshold limit of CPU usage. The bandwidth handling capability as well as computing capabilities are excellent. Day by day, Dell is enhancing and releasing new models and new Dell PowerEdge C- Series systems with new computing capability CPUs from Intel. These types of compatibilities are getting evaluated, and I am keeping my eye on that aspect so that when new technologies and new areas emerge, we can buy new hardware to migrate and host our other applications. Dell PowerEdge C- Series advanced security features are noteworthy. My applications are running without any issues, without any hacking or data leakage. Our security team and gateway firewall teams are always concerned about security, and I have peace of mind. Of course, Dell PowerEdge C- Series security features are helping us improve that. The hardware design is getting more and more powerful day by day. Whenever Dell releases new things, it is getting compatible with our different types of Gold, Platinum, Intel Xeon, and AMD type of CPUs. Dell PowerEdge C- Series handles L2 and L3 cache capabilities, caching capabilities, memory computing capabilities, and the NVMe RAM type also improves performance. The OS level hardware also has this type of NVMe type of high-speed storage implemented on that hardware. The hardware is getting improved day by day. Dell PowerEdge C- Series storage is used in our data center, but I am not concerned about that because it is not used in my division. Although I am part of that organization, in my division, I am not using that.

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Gökhan DURMAZ

Account Manager at TD SYNNEX

High-quality integration and strong support have optimized our rack server operations

HPE Apollo Systems is a good product because it has better support and best quality with integrity. When I speak about integrity, I speak about GPU integration or other integrations such as GPU integration, backup software integration, and hypervisor integration. Regarding the integration of high-speed interconnectors in HPE Apollo Systems, they impact computational tasks because the high-speed interconnect affects performance. I don't remember the specifics. Regarding the cooling technologies, they help to reduce operational costs. The positive impact I see from HPE Apollo Systems is that support is good and quality is good. In general, HPE Apollo Systems appears to be for rack servers with some optimization capabilities.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most significant benefits, in my experience, are the configuration, reliability of the equipment, and the support of Dell."

"The scalability of the solution met our needs."

"PowerEdge servers have high CPU processing power, and the support is also good."

"Dell PowerEdge C- Series is a contemporary solution and the best solution."

"The solution provides good support and service."

"The performance is good."

"I like the feature that allows for a backup and that is suitable for me."

"The best features of this solution are that it's easy to implement and manage, and I assess the balance of performance, flexibility, and scalability provided by this solution as good."

More Dell PowerEdge C- Series pros

"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."

"The cost benefit of this solution is most valuable. It is quite effective for the work for which we are using it. We are mainly running video servers on these, and we are quite happy with the resilience, density storage, and streaming capacity of the system."

"The solution is well documented in a data sheet."

"When we moved to the Apollo and all flash drives, we gained a lot of performance."

"We're going to buy another Apollo 6500. We may configure it with half the number of GPUs because that may be all we need. In a sense, we can see the Apollo 6500 being so powerful that we only need half the GPU capability that we have now."

"Absolutely being able to mount into Omni-Path architecture, HFIs on those nodes, because we were the very first site in the world"

"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."

"Apollo Systems provide stuff that standard services do not. More HTDs, more compute power, at very reasonable pricing."

More HPE Apollo Systems pros

Cons

"We had a few minor issues with compatibility on the latest version during the installation process."

"Its customer service could be better."

"HP is a little bit lower in terms of price."

"It would be better if it worked with SMTP servers on the cloud. Right now, it only allows notifications via the SMTP server. In the next release, I would like to have a better processor."

"The reliability needs improvement."

"The VxRail should be opened to allow other virtualization platforms to be used."

"The price must be improved."

"There has been an increase in quality issues."

More Dell PowerEdge C- Series cons

"We would like to see SimpliVity on top of the Apollo."

"The support from HPE Apollo could be better, they are making knowledgeable."

"The technical support for HPE Apollo Systems could be improved."

"We could, perhaps, use more GPUs in the future, go from eight to 16 GPUs per instance. That could run head-to-head against the DGX-1, the DGX-2 that NVIDIA has developed in their own chassis. That would be interesting to see."

"The solution's deployment, security, and scalability need improvement."

"What's coming out in Gen 10 is very strong in terms of additional security."

"Lustre seems to be just a little bit unstable overall."

"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."

More HPE Apollo Systems cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"PowerEdge C is a product that is priced at a medium range, so it is not too expensive."

"I don't handle the financial aspects, so I don't know the exact costs, but in terms of the value it brings, it's worth it."

"The licensing cost of PowerEdge C is very high."

"The price could be reduced."

"I would rate the pricing 4 out of 10, in terms of its cost expense."

"There is a need to pay towards the annual subscription-based licensing model offered by the solution. The product is moderately priced. Price is a critical issue, and it is always good to have moderately priced solutions."

"When we talk about pricing it is the cheapest on the market that I have found."

"The cost depends on the configuration."

More Dell PowerEdge C- Series pricing and cost advice

"Obviously I would like to see the cost go down. That speaks for itself."

"There is an annual license required to use HPE Apollo."

"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."

"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."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

University

12%

Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm

11%

Marketing Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

15%

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	11

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	13

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about PowerEdge C?

The solution provides good support and service.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for PowerEdge C?

My experience with the pricing of this tool is that it's in mid-range. They have good competitors in the market who are offering better pricing, so there is scope for improvement in this area.

See all answers

What needs improvement with PowerEdge C?

There are a few bugs in PowerEdge C that require some configurational settings to be done with the help of a support team when we reconfigure the solution. This is one area where they can improve t...

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What needs improvement with HPE Apollo?

Some features could be added to HPE Apollo Systems in the future, and I feel that some capability is needed. HPE Apollo Systems is a bit expensive, and there are some issues with scalability. Two f...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for HPE Apollo?

I have been distributing this product for three years. I don't have specific use cases, and everything about the major use case for HPE Apollo Systems is good. I don't know the purpose clients are ...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering HPE Apollo?

I am not using these products today, and I do not work with some specific firewalls. My company is TD Synnex, a distributor company, and I work for this company. My email is , and my first name is ...

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge C- Series

February 2026

Download Dell PowerEdge C- Series product report

Buyer's Guide

HPE Apollo Systems

January 2026

Download HPE Apollo Systems product report

Also Known As

No data available

HP Apollo Systems, HP ProLiant SL, HP Apollo

Overview

Dell PowerEdge C-Series is known for its high performance, scalability, and efficient power usage, making it suitable for demanding applications in data centers. Its compact design and affordability offer practicality and value for businesses seeking reliable hardware solutions.

PowerEdge C-Series offers robust virtualization capabilities and advanced reliability with Intel Xeon sockets and Intel's RAS. This series is valued for seamless expansion and strong technical support, enhancing its appeal for enterprise environments. While there is room for improvement in cost, compatibility, and additional memory slots, it remains a favored choice for database servers, VOIP systems, and application hosting due to its flexible configurations and ease of integration with VMware infrastructure. Enhancements desired by users include better AI integration, more iDRAC functionality, and improved stability and service procedures.

What are the key features of PowerEdge C-Series?

Remote Management: Features iDRAC for efficient remote management.
Performance: Supports high performance with Intel Xeon sockets.
Reliability: Advanced reliability assured with Intel's RAS capabilities.
Scalability: Offers seamless expansion and scalability.
Compact Design: Compact build enhances usability and tool-free maintenance.

What benefits should users consider?

Cost Efficiency: Provides affordability with efficient power usage.
Flexibility: Offers configurations for diverse budget needs.
Technical Support: Backed by robust customer and technical support.
Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with VMware for workload management.

In banking, telecommunications, and public sectors, Dell PowerEdge C-Series is implemented to support virtual machines, internal applications, and high-performance computing tasks. Its reliable integration with VMware infrastructure makes it an ideal choice for businesses seeking efficient workload management and critical hardware backup solutions. Its affordability and power efficiency allow organizations in these sectors to meet their computing demands without straining budgets.

Dell Technologies

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

Sample Customers

NxtGen Datacenter, Medien-Service Untermain (MSU), Exasol, IndigoVision, Dayco

Weta Digital

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge C- Series vs. HPE Apollo Systems

February 2026

Free Report: Dell PowerEdge C- Series vs. HPE Apollo Systems

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