Proxmox to Cozystack migration — when SMB virtualization stops fitting

Open-source Cozystack (a CNCF project we create and maintain) Ænix Platform, the supported commercial distribution Aenix builds, operates and migrates it.

Proxmox-to-Cozystack migration moves virtualization workloads from Proxmox VE to Cozystack, the open-source cloud platform built on Kubernetes. It targets hosting providers, ISPs, and service-provider clouds that have outgrown Proxmox’s single-organization model and need true multi-tenancy, a service catalog beyond plain VMs (managed databases, S3, Kubernetes tenancy, GPU), and production multi-cluster federation. Aenix, the team behind Cozystack, runs these migrations end-to-end: VM images convert from qcow2 into KubeVirt via CDI, a multi-tenant model is designed during migration using the Tenant CRD, and storage and networking are re-architected on LINSTOR/DRBD and Cilium. Cozystack is Apache 2.0 licensed with no per-CPU or per-core fees. For single-tenant deployments under 50 hosts, staying on Proxmox is the recommended choice.

Quick facts

  • What it is End-to-end migration from Proxmox VE to Cozystack for multi-tenant cloud and service-provider deployments
  • License Apache 2.0 (no per-CPU / per-core licensing)
  • Status Cozystack is a CNCF project (Sandbox since 2025-02-28; Incubating expected late summer 2026)
  • Who it is for Hosting providers, ISPs, and regional clouds that have outgrown Proxmox’s multi-tenancy and service-catalog limits
  • Engagement timeline Typically 2-4 weeks assessment plus 3-9 months implementation
  • Migration path VM images convert qcow2 to KubeVirt via CDI; multi-tenancy is designed during migration with the Tenant CRD; storage and network are re-architected on LINSTOR/DRBD and Cilium
  • When to stay on Proxmox Single-tenant deployments under roughly 50 hosts, where migration ROI does not justify the effort

Proxmox VE is excellent at SMB scale. When deployments grow into multi-tenant cloud builders or service-provider models, the operational model strains. Ænix runs Proxmox-to-Cozystack migrations end-to-end.

Pairs with: Ænix Public Cloud Platform — turnkey cloud-in-a-box for hosting providers and regional clouds outgrowing Proxmox. WHMCS-integrated billing, multi-tenant Tenant CRD, productized installer. From $1,250/month support tier.


When migration makes sense

  • Service-provider scale (multi-customer cloud) outgrowing Proxmox
  • Multi-tenancy beyond Proxmox’s namespace + permissions model
  • Service catalog beyond VMs (managed databases, S3, K8s tenancy, GPU)
  • Production multi-cluster federation
  • Regulated multi-tenant requirements

If your deployment is single-tenant and under 50 hosts — stay on Proxmox. The migration ROI doesn’t justify it.


Migration approach

VM image migration is straightforward (qcow2 → KubeVirt CDI). Multi-tenant model: designed during migration (Proxmox didn’t have one). Storage and network re-architect.

Proxmox VE
qcow2 VM disksSingle-organization model
converts via
Migration path
KubeVirt CDI importTenant CRD multi-tenancy design
lands on
Cozystack
LINSTOR/DRBD storageCilium networking

Typical: 2-4 weeks assessment + 3-9 months implementation.

For full comparison see Proxmox vs VMware vs Cozystack.


Ænix is the team behind Cozystack.

Frequently asked questions

When does migrating from Proxmox to Cozystack make sense?

It makes sense at service-provider scale, when you need multi-tenancy beyond Proxmox’s permission model, a service catalog beyond VMs (managed databases, S3, Kubernetes tenancy, GPU), production multi-cluster federation, or regulated multi-tenant isolation. Single-tenant deployments under about 50 hosts should stay on Proxmox.

How are Proxmox VMs migrated to Cozystack?

VM image migration is straightforward: qcow2 disks convert into KubeVirt using the Containerized Data Importer (CDI). The multi-tenant model is designed during migration, since Proxmox did not have one, and storage and networking are re-architected on Cozystack’s LINSTOR/DRBD and Cilium foundations.

How long does a Proxmox to Cozystack migration take?

A typical engagement runs 2-4 weeks of assessment followed by 3-9 months of implementation. The exact duration depends on workload count, multi-tenancy requirements, and storage and network re-architecture scope.

Does Cozystack require per-CPU or per-core licensing like commercial hypervisors?

No. Cozystack is open source under Apache 2.0 with no per-CPU or per-core licensing. Aenix sells the productized Ænix Platform plus support and services on top, starting at the Basic tier of $1,250/month for up to 10 nodes.

What does Cozystack offer that Proxmox does not?

Cozystack unifies VMs and containers on a single Kubernetes API via KubeVirt, adds native multi-tenancy through the Tenant CRD, eBPF networking with Cilium, and LINSTOR/DRBD replicated storage, plus a service catalog with managed databases, S3, Kubernetes tenancy, and GPU support.

Who runs the migration?

Aenix, the open-core company behind Cozystack, runs the migration end-to-end, from assessment through implementation. Cozystack is a CNCF Sandbox project, so the underlying platform is open source and not tied to a single vendor.

Planning your migration?

Start with a fixed-price Platform Readiness Assessment — architecture review, gap analysis, and a roadmap you can take to the board.