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vSphere Replication vs Array-based Replication

As many request come in on the comparison between vSphere Replication vs Array-based Replication, I've decided to write this blog based on vSphere Replication 5.5 and Array-based Replication.

FeatureSRM vSphere ReplicationStorage array-based replication
Replication ComponentHypervisor-levelStorage-level
Storage at recovery siteDoes not need to match active site, support on local disk as well.Must be the same array type as the active site
Supported storage typesAny Storage that is supported by vSphere 5.5ISCSI, Fibre Channel and NFS, as long as supported by VMware. Check Compatibility here. 
Integration with Site Recovery Manager (SRM)YesYes, as long as supported by VMware. Check Compatibility here.
CostLow. vSphere Replication is included in vSphere hypervisor and work with any storage, including local disk.High. It is normally sold as an option on top of SAN box. Additional to that, you must purchase the similar box, at least the same firmware that support the replication between two SAN box. 
Use casesSmaller infrastructures, remote offices of large companies and/or business-critical applicationsLarge and/or business-critical environments
Recovery point objective (RPO) times15-minute to 24-hour RPOsZero-minute (synchronous replication) to 24-hour RPOs
Reprotect and failback with SRMYes. Yes, but limited on the supported model. 
Total number of protected virtual machines5001500, with ESXi 5.5 and SRM 5.5.
Protection groups250250. If vSphere Replication and array-based replication are used together, the limit remains 250.
SnapshotsYes, with up to 24 Point-in-time recovery.Yes, with specific limitations detailed in VMware's SRM 5.1documentation
Linked clonesNot supportedSupported as long as nodes in the snapshot tree are replicated
Raw device mapping (RDM) VMsVirtual mode RDM onlyVirtual and physical RDM formats
Application-consistent recoverySupported for Windows environments with VSSThe storage vendor ensures application-consistent replication
Works with VMware Fault ToleranceNoYes
SRM IntegrationYesYes
Respective hardware vendor SRM equivalent, such as HP Insight Recovery (MR), etc...NoYes
Area ProtectionVM onlyProtect data as long as it's located in SAN
Bandwidth RequirementLowerHigher
Initial SeedingSupported seeding to external mediaOnly work between SAN box. If it failed and required full sync, it will need to replicate everything over the WAN, unless SAN box is relocated to the production SAN network.
Non-disruptive DR TestingYes, provided by SRMYes, provided by SRM only
User friendlyYes, and work with any hardware vendorHarder to implement, and only work with specific hardware vendor
Shared DRYes, N:1 No.

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