HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers comparison

HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

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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 ProLiant DL Servers

Ranking in Rack Servers

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

158

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Ser...

Ranking in Rack Servers

3rd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Rack Servers category, the mindshare of HPE ProLiant DL Servers is 22.0%, up from 20.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is 15.2%, down from 17.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Rack Servers Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
HPE ProLiant DL Servers	22.0%
Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers	15.2%
Other	62.8%

Rack Servers

Featured Reviews

SHIVAKUMAR A P

General Manager at orbit techsol w pvt.ltd

Addresses end-to-end customer needs and improves data center efficiency

The AI engines that HPE ProLiant DL Servers suggest for their customers include NVIDIA graphics and EnvyLink graphics for AI customers. The AI engines are more than sufficient for the current situation. HPE ProLiant DL Servers address end-to-end customer needs. It is a perfect combination with the generation 12 now, and there are absolutely no gaps. Customers usually deploy HPE ProLiant DL Servers on-premises, as on cloud, they do not have the option to specify the server model, and the cloud vendors will not specify which server it is. My usual deployment process involves checking the power AC requirements, power and cooling requirements, then the rack requirements, and then I proceed to deploy the servers based on the customer requirement. I rate HPE ProLiant DL Servers 10 out of 10.

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Adalberto Giaretta

Technology director at Infodive Representações e Serviços ltda

Reliable with an easy setup and good support

These are rack servers. We use them for applications. It stores everything including VM servers, application servers, Windows, et cetera The reliability is great. The solution is like any other commodity like Dell or HPE. These are all very similar. Setting up the solution is easy. It is stable.…

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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

"HPE ProLiant DL Servers have good performance and they support different types of applications."

"The initial setup was easy."

"One of the most valuable features is iLO, which is very good. Another thing is the HPE support is very good."

"Its management, IOs, and stability are the most valuable features. It works fine. It has all the features of a typical server. All that can be done has already been done."

"It's flexible."

"Its reliability and after-sales support are very good."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is scalability."

"We have had no issues with the stability of the product."

More HPE ProLiant DL Servers pros

"They have taken a lot of technology from IBM, and IBM always delivered very powerful hardware to the IT industry compared to Dell EMC or anyone else."

"The IMM tool is great because we can upgrade different views and device versions very quickly. We can upgrade everything from a single point through a single dashboard, which is great for us because we also have Lenovo storage. Lenovo ThinkSystem also has Xclarity built into the system."

"Ensures high availability, better hardware management, and support for active features."

"Its performance and the local support of Lenovo in my city are the most valuable features. Its performance is the best, and its user interface is also very easy."

"Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers are scalable."

"The solution is very simple to install."

"Easy integration with UPS systems provides added convenience and efficiency for our operations."

"It is a stable solution."

More Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers pros

Cons

"It's scalable but we are switching to workstation for some software because the CPU speed isn't fast enough anymore."

"They are pretty solid servers, but, just like all servers, they become obsolete after some time. They can maybe provide a console to monitor the health of the servers. There should be some kind of console to which you can log in to remotely check on the health of a server, even when the server is off. The servers that we have are only scalable to some extent. They have got a limited amount of hard drive that you can insert. Their scalability should be improved."

"The price of the solution could be less expensive to be more competitive."

"In terms of what could be improved, if I could have faster processors with less cores, that would be good."

"The scalability of Gen8 models should be improved. They can also improve its price."

"My customers are tilted toward GPU users, and the mixed version of the enabled hard drives require — flash drives, SSD, NNL, and PLAS — all mixed and matched in a single box. These are requirements I've already shared with the HPE account manager."

"We found that the extensions could be improved and the price could be a little lower."

"There is currently no artificial intelligence in the product. It would actually be helpful to have some features with AI."

More HPE ProLiant DL Servers cons

"To be frank, the technical support from Lenovo's team needs improvement. There seems to be a lack of support, and it is important for Lenovo to address this issue."

"The performance of the solution could be better."

"Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers does a very good job. However, what could be improved can be their Configurator because it's very bulky and it sometimes gives logical errors."

"Improvements could be made in the network cards, particularly by offering options for higher-speed cards beyond the current 10 GB."

"I do not have any notes for improvements."

"The RAID Management and the RAID Configuration tools need to be improved."

"Throughout the use of the product, special needs will arise which may require a global need."

"Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers availability could improve. We have been waiting two months for one server."

More Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I rate the product price an eight on a scale of one to ten, where one is low price and ten is high price."

"It is not expensive. Its price is similar to other solutions."

"The solution is expensive."

"We have to pay for an annual license which is expensive."

"I give the price a five out of ten."

"This product is within our budget."

"Proliant DL Servers have a reasonable cost. They are not as expensive as the Cisco servers. Everything is included when you purchase a server. You just have to install and configure it."

"If you have to include the warranty, enhance the warranty support."

More HPE ProLiant DL Servers pricing and cost advice

"It is expensive compared to other vendors."

"It is too expensive. Because we are a university and we have to look for our money, many times we buy some refurbished machines or equipment at reasonable prices from IBM or Lenovo. We are a little bit limited in terms of money, and we buy as much as we can. If they were cheaper, we would buy more."

"The licensing cost is the same as HP. It doesn't have any additional cost. However, the price, for example, for the memory option, does not match other vendors such as HP or Dell. They should work on the pricing of Lenovo. It is a great competitor, and it should compete with the price."

"It costs around $8,000. There is an additional cost for the support for a year."

"It is the cheapest solution we have seen on the market."

"Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers can be categorized as a product falling under an affordable price range but more expensive than its competitors."

"The price of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is highly competitive. Many customers prefer this solution because of the price. However, the price could be reduced."

"In India, the solution is cheap compared to its competitors."

More Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Computer Software Company

12%

University

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	54
Midsize Enterprise	28
Large Enterprise	98

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	18
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	9

Questions from the Community

How do Lenovo ThinkSystem rack servers compare with HPE ProLiant DL servers?

Lenovo ThinkSystem rack servers offer flexibility and efficiency in order to meet mission-critical demands. I like that Lenovo blends outstanding performance, reliability, and manageability. The bi...

What do you like most about HPE ProLiant DL Servers?

The most valuable feature of the solution is HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO)...Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE ProLiant DL Servers?

The pricing of HPE ProLiant DL Servers depends purely on the configuration, and it is not affordable. However, if you look at the technical caliber of the server, if a customer invests that additio...

When shopping for a rack server, would you go with Dell EMC Poweredge or Lenovo Thinksystem?

Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether the Dell EMC Poweredge or Lenovo Thinksystem rack servers were the better fit for us. We ultimately decided to go with Dell EMC Poweredge....

What do you like most about Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers?

The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is the easiest product to set up and maintain.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers?

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers are cheaper than HPE, so my company saw it as a product that is available at a bang for one's buck.

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Comparisons

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Compared 6% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs HPE ProLiant DL Servers

Compared 4% of the time

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Dell PowerEdge R-Series vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Compared 53% of the time

Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Compared 3% of the time

IBM Power Systems vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

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Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

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Product Reports

HPE ProLiant DL Servers

Download HPE ProLiant DL Servers product report

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Download Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers product report

Also Known As

HP ProLiant DL series, HP ProLiant DL

SR Series, Lenovo SR Series, ThinkSystem Rack Servers, IBM Rack Servers, ThinkSystem SR Series, Lenovo Rack Servers,

Overview

HPE ProLiant DL Servers are known for their reliability, scalability, and robust performance. They deliver advanced management capabilities and excel in handling high workloads, offering cost efficiency and versatile customization options suited for diverse enterprise needs.

HPE ProLiant DL Servers feature a user-friendly design that facilitates quick deployment and efficient maintenance. Their advanced iLO technology supports remote management, allowing users to handle server operations efficiently. Users appreciate the system's compatibility with multiple applications and infrastructures, along with robust support services. Despite these strengths, some models have issues like missing front ports, slow boot times, and a reliance on Java for management tasks. Suggestions for improvement include enhanced power monitoring, refined software, better redundancy, and energy-efficient operation. Many look for improved virtualization capabilities and faster processors. Support and documentation inconsistencies are also noted concerns.

What are the key features of HPE ProLiant DL Servers?

Reliability and Scalability: Designed to support mission-critical applications with outstanding reliability and scalability.
iLO Remote Management: Advanced iLO features enable convenient remote server management.
Customization Options: Highly flexible configurations ensure adaptability to specific business needs.
Redundant Power Supplies: Ensures uptime and reliability with dual power sources.

What benefits should users consider?

Cost Efficiency: Delivers consistent performance at a favorable cost ratio.
Flexibility: Accommodates a range of applications and infrastructures.
High Workload Support: Efficiently manages demanding workloads.
Strong Support Services: Backed by comprehensive support, aiding in trouble-free operations.

HPE ProLiant DL Servers are widely implemented in enterprise and educational settings, excelling in virtualization on VMware and Hyper-V platforms. They support databases like Oracle and MongoDB and are essential for high-performance computing and AI projects. These servers are integrated into system environments, supporting rack and hyperconversion setups effectively.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

From growing small businesses to enterprise workloads, Lenovo rack servers offer the unmatched value, flexibility and industry-leading efficiency to meet mission-critical demands with legendary quality and reliability.

Lenovo

Sample Customers

AmeriPride Services, iSource, Bolagsverket, BlueShore Financial, British Columbia Assessment Authority, National Stock Exchange, Cardlytics

immixGroup, Komsomolskaya Pravda, SRG Global, Seekr, Infiniti Red Bull Racing, jKool, Tennis Australia, VEKA, Netpoints, Gamma Powersports

HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers