Overview
What is VMware Horizon?
A VDI solution used for the secure delivery of virtual desktops and apps from on-premises to the cloud. It is used to deploy, manage, monitor and scale desktops and apps across private, hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure using a cloud-based console…
VMware Horizon Review
VMware Horizon: Top of the Line.
Computer within a Computer
VMware Horizon, a complete VDI solution for all companies
VMware Horizon really expanded our Virtual Horizon!
VMware Horizon Review
VMWare Horizon is a great option for application delivery and data security.
Remote connection taken to another and easier level
Solid product for accessing VDI
Horizon View -- Pricey but worth it.
View solves some of the Windows 10 migration headaches
VMware Horizon Enables Workforce Mobility
Streamline your desktop management, increase ROI, and eliminate troublesome variances
VMware Horizon is highly recommended
A real business gamechanger
Awards
Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
Horizon Apps Standard
$4.67
Horizon Standard Plus
$5.79
Horizon Apps Universal
$6.00
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Product Demos
VMware Horizon 7: Demo - Feature Walk-through
Chrome Demo - VMware Horizon
VMware Horizon 6 and AirWatch
VMware Horizon 6 with View
VMware Horizon 6 Hosted Applications Demo
VMware Horizon 6 Tutorial | VMware Horizon 6 Training
Product Details
- About
- Competitors
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is VMware Horizon?
The solution also provides secure remote access to corporate resources from any device and leverage intrinsic security built into the VMware infrastructure to protect from the device to the data center to the cloud.
The vendor's value proposition is that the solution drives cost savings and business value by enabling more flexible and reliable access to resources.
VMware Horizon Competitors
VMware Horizon Technical Details
Deployment Types | On-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
---|---|
Operating Systems | Windows |
Mobile Application | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Comparisons
Compare with
Reviews and Ratings
(157)Community Insights
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
Users of VMware Horizon View have praised the software for its ability to provide secure remote access without the need for VPN or remote desktop. This feature has allowed them to conveniently access internal web applications and legacy Windows XP applications from anywhere with an internet connection. IT staff utilize the software to connect to virtual desktops, while employees make use of thin clients to access email, file shares, and specific applications on the go. The software has been particularly valuable for organizations with multiple locations and remote workers, as it offers a cost-effective, hardware-independent solution with features like monitoring, resource utilization, and multi-factor authentication. Additionally, VMware Horizon View is widely used across various industries, including healthcare IT, where it improves end user productivity and user experience for clinical task users. However, some users have occasionally experienced connection issues and difficulties with setup. Despite these challenges, users find the software highly useful for accessing virtual desktops efficiently.
Administrative departments and clients also rely on VMware Horizon View to address hardware failures and crashes by providing access to virtual desktops. This flexible solution is used in various scenarios such as training environments, enabling external contractors' access, and providing workstations for IT staff. Moreover, towns benefit from VMware Horizon View by gaining access to shared applications for assessments, while healthcare professionals securely access internal network resources remotely. The software's reach extends even to Highway Patrol cars, ensuring complete access to internal network resources in areas with intermittent cellular data coverage.
VMware Horizon View has proven invaluable in saving time by virtualizing software and simplifying IT tasks like updates and upgrades. It has facilitated the efficient rollout of Windows 10 and provided a work-from-home solution. Additionally, VMware Horizon Mobile Manager aids with device restrictions, tracking, application deployment, email integration, and digital material delivery.
The flexibility and security offered by VMware Horizon View are highly appreciated by users as they can work from anywhere worldwide with an internet connection. The product serves as a standard platform for daily tasks requiring elevated permissions for IT administrators and developers. It finds value in providing a pool of secured desktops within backup networks, separate from standard production environments. Reviewers have commended the product for eliminating the need to ship laptops across the globe by providing VDI desktops.
VMware Horizon View has been described as a win-win situation for businesses, offering convenient solutions for remote work and data access. It also finds application in statistical analysis software like IBM SPSS. By organizing users into different groups called Pools, it efficiently manages PCs, ensuring desktops are always running or shut down when not in use. Loyola University Maryland relies on VMware Horizon as their enterprise application and VDI delivery system, providing easy access for all employees, faculty, and students across departments. Multiple departments in organizations leverage VMware Horizon View to tailor their IT experience, manage systems with less IT involvement, and ensure quick content delivery. This product has enabled a shift in the way employees work, allowing for centralized data, consolidation of offices, and remote work in different states and locales.
VMware Horizon is especially valuable for managing virtual machines and pools of virtual machines for remote classes and work, providing control over information, managing policies, and resolving problems remotely. In educational institutions, it offers dynamic management of computer and storage resources while reducing costs and complexity. Companies across industries such as operations, sales, and product teams use VMware Horizon View as a primary or remote desktop solution to provide a consistent desktop experience across locations and offices.
Overall, users find that VMware Horizon makes VDI easy with its fast and reliable connection options like VMWare Blast or PCoIP. It caters to the needs of remote agents and offsite workers by offering thin clients to connect remotely over VPN and providing a Windows application environment for Macintosh users. The product has been recommended by experts for clients in their data centers to provide standardized virtual desktops for critical groups within the company. By connecting users to Windows environments on the customer side, VMware Horizon offers a VPN-like experience for remote access.
With its wide range of use cases in various industries, VMware Horizon View continues to be a go-to solution for organizations seeking secure remote access, efficient management of desktops and resources, as well as flexible work arrangements.
Excellent Performance: Users have consistently praised VMware Horizon for its excellent performance. Many reviewers have stated that the software runs smoothly and efficiently, allowing them to access virtual desktops and applications with ease. Some users have mentioned that they experienced no lag or delay when working remotely, which has greatly enhanced their productivity.
Reliable and Efficient Virtualization Solution: Reviewers appreciate that VMware Horizon is a reliable and efficient virtualization solution. Numerous users have highlighted the stability of the software and its ability to provide stable and scalable virtual support. They find it to be a robust product that allows them to create new desktops easily and seamlessly integrate into the vSphere platform.
Easy Implementation and Use: The ease of implementation and use of VMware Horizon is another commonly mentioned positive aspect. Users appreciate the straightforward deployment process, finding it great for deploying new software quickly. They also find the user interface intuitive, making it easy for them to manage their catalogue of pools and devices.
Resource Consumption: Some users have reported that the software consumes more resources than expected, potentially leading to performance issues. This concern has been raised by multiple reviewers who have experienced slowdowns or lag while using the software.
Confusing User Interface: The user interface of the software has received criticism from several users. They describe it as confusing and not well integrated with the operating system. Users have mentioned difficulties in navigating through menus and finding specific features.
Expensive Licensing: Implementing VDI, including hardware and licensing, is seen as a constraint for small and medium-sized businesses. Users have expressed concerns about the high cost of licensing, which adds to the overall expense of adopting VDI solutions. Some users feel that more affordable options should be available for organizations with limited budgets.
User recommendations for using VMware Horizon include the following:
- Talk with end-users to plan out application loading and day-to-day needs.
- VMware Horizon is recommended for customer service in telecommunications due to its options for call listening and security.
- VMware Horizon works well, gives good results, and is free.
- Use VMware Horizon for testing purposes and to avoid losing information.
- Ensure a stable internet connection for optimal performance and stability.
- VMware Horizon is recommended for any company that needs to implement software and test different systems.
- VMware Horizon provides solutions and the freedom to do anything with the virtual system.
- VMware Horizon worked well for automating testing services.
- VMware Horizon offers different features for configuring operating systems without adding dangerous software.
- VMware Horizon is a good solution for central security management.
- Understand use cases before deploying VMware Horizon and dedicate people to manage the environment.
- VMware Horizon is a very accessible software with few glitches.
- Set up server settings automatically to provide guidance to the vendor.
- VMware Horizon is a lightweight solution for connecting to a virtual desktop infrastructure.
- Using VMware Horizon improves productivity in the working environment.
- Take advantage of the RSA generated token for extra security.
- Design a solid backend infrastructure with enough storage for a smoother user experience.
- Purchase enough resources for quick scalability.
- Get solid state drives and provide extra training for help desk staff.
- VMware Horizon is recommended for programs that require processing power or access to different operating systems.
- Try VMware Horizon on other platforms to address bugs or issues.
- VMware Horizon is a perfect solution for delivering virtual desktops and integrating with existing VMware vSphere environment.
- Consider alternatives like oVirt, Spice, or Citrix XenServer if VMware Horizon is not suitable.
- Look at all the options on the internet and choose the platform that best fits the interests, especially for medium and big size companies.
- VMware Horizon is recommended for virtual desktop users experiencing performance issues.
- Understand the current environment and define use cases during the testing phase.
- Use the right infrastructure to scale the VDI solution and choose a VDI solution that meets the appropriate needs.
These recommendations emphasize the importance of user involvement in planning, the suitability of VMware Horizon for customer service and testing, stability considerations, and scalability planning.
Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(26-35 of 35)VMware Horizon View - PCs of the Future!
VMware Horizon View is being used for our employees to access their desktops. Half of our company is working off of VMware Horizon View.
This addresses the need for PCs to be deployed and accessed all over the company. We are no longer purchasing physical desktops for our users as everyone is now getting a Wyse P25 device as well as a virtual desktop. The Virtual Desktops are allowing our users access no matter where they are sitting. Huge help for IT as we do not have to move big desktops around anymore.
VMware Horizon View has allowed us to manage our PCs more efficiently and effectively. Users are organized into different groups called "Pools" and we can make sure that their desktops are running all the time or shut them down when they aren't being used.
- Ability to set up new desktops quickly.
- Faster boot times for PCs.
- Virtual machines can grow in space and other resources as long as the ESXi Hosts have the resources.
- Ability to create different types of desktop groups called pools and organize the different departments.
- Floating Pools need a bit more configuration to get working properly.
- Persona management for Floating Pools can be hit and miss depending on how big the users files are.
- Need to have View Composer set up on a different server in order for it to be recognized.
- VMware Horizon View has limited customizations.
VMware Horizon View is not appropriate for small deployments. I would not recommend it for anything less than 10 users. Users with big profiles may want to use dedicated desktops instead of non-dedicated desktops as it will help with loading times.
VMware Horizon View is greatly suited for more than 20 PCs that need to be deployed. VMs can be created from a template and built within 5 minutes. Pools can be used to organize your departments as well as meeting rooms. If setting up a floating pool all you need to do is create one master VM and all the others are linked to it. This allows you to only have to update one VM for updates and software. Everything is then pushed to the other linked clones once you refresh the pool.
VMware Horizon View 6.2.2 Customer Review
- VMware Horizon View is great for quickly and easily provisioning non-persistent virtual machines with the ability to scale the environment with minimal effort. In our case, we have two non-persistent pools, one for students and one for employees.
- It enables us to quickly deploy a new pool of virtual machines using a custom image with minimal effort. Sometimes we get last minute requests for a particular application or configuration, and this platform allows us to meet those requests.
- VMware Horizon View integrates with Unidesk, which is our persistent virtual machine management system. So, we are able to use Unidesk to manage the applications inside of those persistent virtual machines, and still use View to manage the overall pool and associated configuration.
- The upgrade process from year to year has been time consuming and somewhat arduous. Once we get things stabilized, they seem to work well, but the amount of time that goes into the upgrade process is rather significant.
- Operating system emulation for multiple users across a VPN network or local network with the correct confutation
- Convince and cost saving for situations that you need to run windows Only applications without buying hardware to do it.
- Small footprint for installing it on devices and support for encryption for passwords and certificate access.
- Folder sharing to the host system using folder emulation options would be useful
- Intensive graphic support using OPEN GL
- Interface options to make it more integrated into the operating system or to be able to tell a certain type of file to open in the virtual machine your connecting to .
VMware Horizon View - VDI on the Horizon
- Fast resolution to high volume user access demands.
- Allows for rapid deployment of updates or updated desktops and new applications without user downtime, repetitive action, or physical access.
- Dynamic options, allowing to cater needs to the user, role, or company expectations. This includes OS, application access avenues, and user management of resources.
- VSAN -- This experience is from a pre-Horizon 7 deployment. While we have had redundancy issues in our deployment, the concerns we experience are said to be resolved in the latest VSAN release.
- Persona Management can be troublesome, leading to mismatches in user data against the server. This requires manual interaction to resolve if a network or user error led to the two falling out of sync. The risk in this is user data loss. Again, new developments in user management is said to resolve these concerns in Horizon 7.
- Security Servers and off-site access to VMware Horizon View has been difficult due to the problematic deployment scenario (a server inside the network with several external hooks). This is said to be resolved with the advent of EUC in Horizon 7. I'm excited to begin testing on this solution as feedback elsewhere has been positive.
Replace VPN with View
- PCoIP is a fantastic protocol that really allow users good access.
- Recomposing desktop pools is easy, allowing quick changes, updates or patching.
- Multi platform solution - PC, laptop, MAC, tablets, the client works. Even on my phone (Samsung Note 4). The stylus makes this an option when no other device is available.
- Logging - event log offers minimal information. It would be great to be able to generate reports for user activity, etc.
- High resolution video and audio.
- Simple to connect to the Horizon View client with all of your previous last windows/documents opened.
- Secured using the PCoIP protocol.
- Very fast and reliable connection as opposed to using a regular desktop over an internet connection.
- Improving the Mac version of Horizon View as end-users have trouble installing the correct version.
Horizon View 6.1 a solid solution and getting better
I have recommended, designed and implemented VMware Horizon View for clients in their data centers, allowing them to provide standardized rich virtual desktops (available anywhere) for critical groups within the company (e.g. call center, tech/IT, consultants, management and administrative staff).
In both cases, VMware Horizon View allows access to internal systems and data with the flexibility that users need (time, location, device, application or full desktop) while maintaining the security required by IT (keep data in data center, manage and limit user access to specific systems and data, etc.).
- Rich User Experience.
- Flexible delivery of apps and/or desktops from one interface to any device.
- Ability as a service provider to deliver virtual desktops to customers, while complying with Microsoft licensing agreements.
- PCoIP performs VERY WELL over challenging network conditions, such as high latency/low bandwidth (India to US connections or Satellite ISP).
- Maximize and optimize use of resources through Linked Clone technology, storage reclamation and capacity planning/management using vROPS for View.
- Improved security with use of new Access Point, replacing Windows-based Security Server with a Linux based appliance, reducing the number of ports needing to be opened in the Firewall to allow access.
- Delivery of Linux Desktops in Tech Preview in Horizon View 6.1, available with some limitations in 6.2
- USB device support not yet as robust as Citrix in this release
- Drive redirection for Windows only in Tech Preview in Horizon View 6.1, but seems to work well in 6.2
- WINDOWS-based Security Server still required for external access in v6.1. Linux-based access point is now available in v6.2, but is not as easy to implement as the Security Server
VMware Horizon View - Healthcare Review
- Integration with vSphere - Administrators who are already familiar with VMware vSphere are able to quickly grasp the management of Horizon View. Being able to modify master images directly from the vSphere console(s), then simply create a desktop pool based on a snapshot of that master image makes VDI desktop pool creation a breeze.
- Zero Client Support - Teradici PCOIP zero clients are very mature and are a simple replacement for traditional windows based machines or thin clients when using Horizon View..In our testing we've seen a fairly significant performance improvement with Teradici based zero clients vs Linux or WIndows based Thin Clients.
- Integration - Horizon View integrates well with the software our customers need like Imprivata OneSIgn, AppSense Desktop Now and line of business and EMR applications.
- Microsoft Office License Control - Microsoft currently requires that every endpoint device that could potentially connect to a VMware Horizon View desktop with Microsoft Office installed be licensed for Office. This can become very expensive for organizations, and there currently isn't an included solution with Horizon View to address this. We typically use AppSense Application Manager for customers who wish to control Microsoft Office licensing based on endpoint. Microsoft has endorsed Application Manager for license control as it operates at the kernal level.
VMWare Horizon View does have a slight learning curve because the delivery model of the desktop will change, so organizations need to be prepared to commit resources, and provide end user education to ensure a successful implementation and best return on technology investment.
VMware Horizon View REVIEW - 8 out of 10
- Integrates with Active Directory for single sign-on.
- If you are already familiar with VMware infrastructure products, the installation process is fairly straightforward.
- Linked clones simplifies management by giving you one place to make changes and the ability to deploy those changes to an entire pool of VMs.
- Fine tuning needs to take place at the storage level to ensure optimal performance.
- When using linked clones, you must refresh your master image periodically. The longer the clones run and grow, the more performance will degrade.
- In order to have the best desktop experience possible, a GPU card needs to be added to each ESX host for video processing/offloading.
vMware View - A Practical Solution
- Availability - Desktops are always highly available to users when they need them.
- Available across multiple devices. PCs, Laptops, iPad, Web or any other tablets. This is a pretty neat option.
- Easy to Use - Users don't need to learn a whole lot on how to use View Client and connect to their desktops.
- Harder to maintain linked clones - Certain features have their advantages and their disadvantages, where we save a disk space by using linked clones, its very hard to maintain or move these desktops across your datacenter.
- Less number of self-service features for users.
- Not able to share linked clones across multiple users.