Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) vs. Firework by Startpack vs. VMware ThinApp (discontinued)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft App-V
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft App-V supports the virtualization of applications, making them available to end users without an installation.N/A
Firework by Startpack
Score 9.5 out of 10
N/A
Firework is a program for turning web applications and websites into desktop apps, so that applications created in Firework look and function like regular programs. The vendor states applications will launch quickly and can be kept on the Taskbar or System Tray. Firework is useful for everyday web applications such as CRM systems or text editors, and Firework can be used for everyday web applications such as CRM systems or text editors. Users can customize icons and colors of apps,…
$2.99
per month
VMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Score 5.2 out of 10
N/A
VMware ThinApp was application virtualization software allowing legacy web applications to run on newer OSs, post-migration, also for running apps across a variety of devices (e.g. flash drives, locked-down computers, etc.) for accessibility and security.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)Firework by StartpackVMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Firework Pro
$2.99
per month per user
Firework Ultimate
$38.99
one-time fee
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft App-VFirework by StartpackVMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Free Trial
NoNoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoYesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup fee$2.99 per userNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)Firework by StartpackVMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Considered Multiple Products
Microsoft App-V

No answer on this topic

Firework by Startpack

No answer on this topic

VMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Chose VMware ThinApp (discontinued)
VMware ThinApp capturing and publishing is way more simple than the App-V approach, but App-V seems to be more suitable for the largest deployments. Application Virtualization seems to be less and less common today, as VDI approaches can solve some issues (like publishing apps …
Features
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)Firework by StartpackVMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Application Virtualization
Comparison of Application Virtualization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)
7.6
3 Ratings
1% below category average
Firework by Startpack
-
Ratings
VMware ThinApp (discontinued)
7.6
2 Ratings
1% below category average
Application support6.03 Ratings00 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Device support8.03 Ratings00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Ease of deployment10.03 Ratings00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Application packaging8.03 Ratings00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Security6.03 Ratings00 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)Firework by StartpackVMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Small Businesses
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Score 9.0 out of 10
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Score 9.0 out of 10
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV
Score 9.1 out of 10
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV
Score 9.1 out of 10
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV
Score 9.1 out of 10
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV
Score 9.1 out of 10
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)Firework by StartpackVMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(3 ratings)
9.6
(2 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
5.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)Firework by StartpackVMware ThinApp (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
Using Microsoft Teams for small or large meetings is a great way to communicate and collaborate. Microsoft Application Virtualization is a terrific tool for presenting and sharing information, and its storage capacity is also excellent. Installing and centrally administering specialized apps to control who has access to it is one of the features I value most about this software. It also provides a separate UI for tracking the app's accesses. This program is not suitable for freelancers or clients that operate alone.
Read full review
Startpack
If you need to communicate through multiple apps e.g. Gmail, Slack, Whats App, and you want everything in one place - Firework is definitely your thing. Also perfect for people who have to track the time they spend on certain tasks. Firework would be useless for people who don't care about productivity and getting things done as fast as possible.
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Discontinued Products
VMware ThinApp is really great for simple packaging projects, standalone apps, or older apps that needs specific runtimes or environment which are not available on target operating systems. Integration with VMware Horizon is simple, and deployment is easy by using shares for storing captured apps, or MSI packages for deploying by group strategies.
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Pros
Microsoft
  • Install Software based on AD group assignment
  • Safely and quickly uninstall from devices
  • Updating is a bit more difficult but manageable.
Read full review
Startpack
  • It's really easy to use; I don't know of any other software that's this easy and convenient
  • UI is very straightforward and simple
  • It speeds up work process, as you no longer need to waste time switching tabs in order to find some crucial information
  • Helps declutter your work PC
  • It usually launches way faster than a browser
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Discontinued Products
  • Virtualizes applications for easy deployment
  • Allows you to run two versions of the same software at the same time.
  • Outstanding customer support
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • Unfortunately it will be replaced by MSIX
Read full review
Startpack
  • You have to pay for the most useful features
  • Lack of extensions (there are basic things like ad-block, but if you need something specific you'll have a hard time)
  • It's not clear how and where exactly the passwords are stored
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • VMware seems to have abandoned the product (no functionality evolutions, only security patches).
  • VMware ThinApp is really difficult to buy standalone, it comes packaged with other products.
Read full review
Support Rating
Microsoft
APP-V is no longer a supported technology and is on the way out, only on legacy support at this time. The changes in security emphasis in windows, as well as the changes in software development have meant that APP-V is no longer able to correctly package software. It has been superseded by the MSIX format and distribution via the Microsoft Store for Business.
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Startpack
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
Microsoft Teams is included in our current Office 365 product set; therefore, there is no additional fee to use the application. It saves our company money by not having to pay for Slack or another internal chat service. For us, Microsoft Teams has a better user experience and product features. Teams' usability is higher than Slack's since it has access to OneDrive, email, and OneNote applications. Screen sharing, chat, and file-sharing operate smoothly, and the performance appears great.
Read full review
Startpack
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
The only application that I have ever used that does exactly what VMware ThinApp does is Cameyo, and VMware is light years ahead of them in terms of usability. VMWare is the industry standard for application virtualization, and they do this by making a powerful product that is remarkably simple to use and top it off with A1 customer support.
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Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • Some applications may be slower
  • Interaction between several applications can be better
Read full review
Startpack
  • You're way more productive when all of your tools are easily accessible
  • Health benefits! It prevents your mental state from deteriorating, it saves at least 10-15 minutes per day, and there's no need to be anxious while trying to remember the password from your work email again
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • VMware ThinApp allowed us to maintain older apps, avoiding refactoring costs.
  • ThinApp used with VMware Horizon is great to separate desktop and app management, allowing to fine-tune desktop delivery to end users.
Read full review
ScreenShots

Firework by Startpack Screenshots

Screenshot of Firework's launch windowScreenshot of Adding applicationsScreenshot of Application created by FireworkScreenshot of App setingsScreenshot of Firework's settingsScreenshot of Icons customization