Skip to main content
TrustRadius
VMware Horizon

VMware Horizon

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…

Read more
Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Users of VMware Horizon View have praised the software for its ability to provide secure remote access without the need for VPN or remote …
Continue reading
Read all reviews

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

View all pros & cons
Return to navigation

Pricing

View all pricing

Horizon Apps Standard

$4.67

Cloud
per month per user

Horizon Standard Plus

$5.79

Cloud
per month per user

Horizon Apps Universal

$6.00

Cloud
per month per user

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.vmware.com/products/horizon…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Return to navigation

Product Demos

VMware Horizon 7: Demo - Feature Walk-through

YouTube

Chrome Demo - VMware Horizon

YouTube

VMware Horizon 6 and AirWatch

YouTube

VMware Horizon 6 with View

YouTube

VMware Horizon 6 Hosted Applications Demo

YouTube

VMware Horizon 6 Tutorial | VMware Horizon 6 Training

YouTube
Return to navigation

Product Details

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 and SaaS management services.

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 TypesOn-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsWindows
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

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 and SaaS management services.

LISTEQ Cloud Desktop are common alternatives for VMware Horizon.

Reviewers rate Performance highest, with a score of 10.

The most common users of VMware Horizon are from Enterprises (1,001+ employees).
Return to navigation

Comparisons

View all alternatives
Return to navigation

Reviews and Ratings

(156)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

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

(1-25 of 27)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
VMWare Horizon has several advanced features vs other competitors, choosing one option or another depends on the scope of the company's need and the cost of investment. In general, all the solutions of VDI are good and offer a good experience.
September 04, 2020

VMware Horizon Review

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
VMware Horizon seems to be more powerful and adaptable to multiple operating systems than the Citrix products I have used. VMware has been simpler to use and has a lot more customization than other of the other similar products I have used. It has solved a lot of the issues I have encountered with the systems put out by Citrix.
Tim Enders | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We evaluated various other products, but as we are already on a VMWare based infrastructure, View just made the most sense for us. It's also feature-rich, and some other alternatives that we considered couldn't deliver certain critical features (such as managing access to applications via AD group membership) that Horizon delivers out of the box.
Gabriel Krahn | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
At least in our company, Citrix only worked allied with a physical authentication token, which was a Smart Card written and provided by the company. The software randomly froze and came back as nothing ever happened and the Citrix support couldn't care less about this. We grew tired of this and switched to Horizon with the customer's agreement.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Citrix vid setup was very difficult and initially hard to set up. I believe this has changed somewhat now, but there are still multiple servers that need to be set up before it can be used. Vmware VDI was fairly easy to set up and was immediately working and up and running, once an image was created and published out. They both have pros and cons. Hype v is cheap and doesn't require all the fancy licensing like the others, but it does require some licensing. For a simple test, it was the easiest to deploy, and we had a VM running off of a single server in less than a day.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I have not used any other products similar to View but I have used Citrix for RDS so that users could have a remote profile. This was clunky and became fairly troublesome as the users shared the same server and when one had issues sometimes the whole server had to be rebooted. I definitely prefer VMware over Citrix RDS.
Stefan Semo | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Some of the platforms are designed for smaller or standalone environments and do not allow for large-scale centrally controlled deployments. in the case of Citrix, there was better Chrome OS support but the lack of PCoIP UDP optimizations made is slower and less desirable by the test subjects. As an educational institution we also received a better educational discount for WMware Horizon and did not ned to pay upfront, but instead, the monthly pricing model of WMware Horizon allowed us to adjust the costs based on the changing counts of named and concurrent users.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
When we were considering a VDI solution, I reviewed Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop as alternative solutions to Horizon View. It seemed like Horizon View was a more mature solution and had the best integration to our existing Vmware vSphere environment. The systems administration for Horizon View also seemed to be better than what the Xen solution provided.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
There are few competitors, main are:

Citrix Xen Apps and Dekstops
Microsoft Remote Desktop services.

Microsoft is lacking with tools used to automate some processes and monitor the system and is the worst when it comes to GPU based servers and applications as they are not using true GPU device on virtual machines, rather abstracted layer of GPUs that makes lower performance compared to Horizon and Citrix

Citrix is good but has less integration with different services like Ellucian prouducts (that we use) and they hypervisor is not very good tool for sys admins





Ho'omana Nathan Horton | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Although I really prefer Microsoft Remote Desktop for accessing Windows servers (from Windows machines especially), and this can be done from off-site with a VPN, this entails much more effort, namely getting everyone's Active Directory in the correct group to have access. VMWare Horizon is a much simpler solution in terms of granting access.

Chrome Remote Desktop and TeamViewer are really not viable solutions for remotely accessing servers in business settings, although they work alright for home servers and such, especially from off-site.
June 06, 2018

Virtual Success!!!!

Eric Krueger | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Citrix did not have the level of Instaclone type feature that VMWare had in its offering. The application layering also was better in our opinion as well as overall support from our vendor. Security was a close call but we found VMWare to be a better fit for our company and its security environment.
Brad Daugherty | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
VMware View provides a full suite of products which provide the functionality that many of the competing vendors have gaps in the you have to then use another third party application to get a working solution. With VMware View you have all the tools at your fingertips to be able to provide you end users with the best experience possible under one solution which simplifies deployment and support.
Kurt Ferguson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Citrix XenDesktop is another big player in the VDI market, but the product simply isn't as mature or powerful as Horizon. Xen still struggles with Windows 10, whereas Horizon has accomodated every OS we throw at it with ease. XenDesktop is a great product overall, performance over home internet connections is often lacking, whereas Horizon is much more tolerant of slower connections.
Adam Borecki | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized

Did not do a full evaluation on Citrix XenDesktop as VMware Horizon View integrates nicely with the VMware vSphere environment that we had currently set up.

We were using PanoLogic for about 6 months before we scrapped it and moved onto VMware Horizon View. Horizon View gave us much more insight into the environment, was simple to use, gave us much more customization over our VMs and also allowed us to automate processes since it was directly tied into vSphere.

Shawn Umansky | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I think the reason VMware Horizon View has done so well is the lack of competition in this area. We have considered the Microsoft equivalent, but are concerned that their support will be worse than VMware (which can be pretty frustrating, to be honest).
Gabriel Duff | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Each has its pros and cons however when properly configured and with a server infustructer to support it correctly vmware horizon view can be a highly scalable , powerful tool in your IT bag of tricks that can offer massive ROI and user satisfaction being able to deploy it almost anywhere.
Kristofer French | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We did not deploy in-house testing, though we did review another company's deployment. At the time we liked what we saw in Horizon, though I have no doubts that XenDesktop could deliver just as well and still does for the other company that presented it to us. What tipped the scales in VMware's favor was our already invested state with ESXi, the tight integration promised with vCenter, and the newly available (at the time) VSAN solution.
April 08, 2016

Replace VPN with View

Dan Forlano | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It was our mission to use VMware Horizon View as an alternative solution to a VPN, so it matched up well. We still allow VPN for company laptops, but for all personal (non corporate) devices, VMware Horizon View is our corporate solution. This type of access also removes the risk of our LAN environment being compromised by a virus or malware.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Originally, our organization was using physical desktops at 5 locations, however, there were not enough IT resources to support the entire infrastructure. We then selected VMware Horizon View and purchased Zero-clients for each user to connect to the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). It allowed our IT staff of 3 people to remotely manage and maintain the entire system at one location. For instance, if a VDI got infected by a virus, it only requires less than 30 minutes to provision a new VDI for that particular end-user and bring the system up and running with all of the existing user files, assuming roaming profiles are enabled.
O'Brien Merrill, PMP, VCP5-DCV/DT | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Citrix, DaaS and desktone
Citrix still provides a more robust RDS Application delivery. VMware Horizon View has easily caught up or surpassed Citrix in desktop virtualization and overall feature set.

VMware's Horizon DaaS (not the same underlying architecture yet) is still a better solution for service providers to deliver virtual desktops/apps since VMware Horizon View is not built with multi-tenancy while Horizon DaaS (previously Desktone) was built from the ground up to be a multi-tenant solution.
Return to navigation