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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…

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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 …
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Awards

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Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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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
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Product Demos

VMware Horizon 7: Demo - Feature Walk-through

YouTube

Chrome Demo - VMware Horizon

YouTube

VMware Horizon 6 and AirWatch

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VMware Horizon 6 with View

YouTube

VMware Horizon 6 Hosted Applications Demo

YouTube

VMware Horizon 6 Tutorial | VMware Horizon 6 Training

YouTube
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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).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(157)

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

(1-3 of 3)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
September 04, 2020

VMware Horizon Review

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
VMware Horizon is used by our staff at Orvis who do not work int the call center or home offices as a way to log safety into our company desktop so we may work remotely. This allows some of us to work from home or to work while traveling to other locations.
  • VMware Horizon allows us to safely access our company desktop.
  • Works well for use on windows, Linus and Mac Operating systems.
  • Easy to install and use by most employees (exception is in the negatives).
  • Requires very knowledgeable IT staff to maintain.
  • Set up on the company system can be complicated.
VMware is well suited to a business where there will be many remote users needing to connect to the companies desktop. The installation on a remote computer is simple and is easy to use remotely but can be complicated to set up on the back end on the office system. It may not be worth the effort for a company that has few people who need remote access.
  • Is easier to troubleshoot individual issues in comparison to other similar products.
  • The simple installation allows it to be installed on most computers allowing it to be installed on an employees personal computer so the company does not have to provide computers for remote users.
  • Has excellent security because all the data is backed up not on the remote device but on the company computer system so there is no concern about unauthorized people accessing company information in the even a remote computer is lost or stolen. The security systems can auto kick the computer from the desktop after a certain time so remote computers are not left connected to the main system when not in use.
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.
There are a lot of things that went into my rating from the ease of use compared to other systems to the limited amount of issues I have had with this one. Any issue with this system has been identified and resolved in a much quicker manner than I have seen with like systems.
VMware Horizon is very easy to use. It is very easy and quick to log in remotely. It is very easy to install remotely. It is usable easily on many different operating systems. It is easy to set up which tools are available to each remote user so that each user has just what they need to perform their work without any extra tools cluttering up their space or bogging down the system.
There is a bit of a learning curve for the set up on the main system and it takes a knowledgeable tech person to properly install and keep the system moving smoothly But once learned it is simple to keep up with. once set up it is easy to install and set up remotely.
February 07, 2019

Brief Overview of Horizon

Sam Majam | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
VMware Horizon is used in a few ways: (a) to provide access to training environments (b) to provide workstation access to external contractors (c) to provide workstations for IT staff

  • Powerful platform for providing end user computing in a secure and efficient manner
  • Integrates seamlessly with VMware vSphere that is a proven and reliable virtualization platform
  • Integrates well with popular Cloud Providers
  • Hardware and licensing costs can be a challenge
  • Steep learning curve
Found it great for environments with many external users that need access to corporate environment. It provides great end user computing experience for such users in a secure fashion. Care must be taken, however, in deploying applications as not all applications are suited for virtualized environments.
Depending on the hardware infrastructure, it performs very well in delivering desktops and applications. However, one should keep in mind that some applications may not fare well in a virtualized environment.
Although it may have a steep learning curve, especially when dealing with issues and troubleshooting, its has an easy to use interface and is relatively straightforward to deploy.
It integrates well with existing environments and applications.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We have utilized this solution to address many diverse user needs. We use this to give our towns access to an application that is shared for assessments. It provides a secure connection to an internal network where we house and backup the data and maintain the application. Each desktop gets refreshed from a defined image after the user logs off to maintain uniformity and reduce the number of licenses needed in a dedicated desktop environment. Another use is for Healthcare professionals that do home visits. We can allow them complete access to all internal network resources remotely in a secure connection. No HIPPA or other compliance related data resides on the local laptop as the session is running on an internal server session. This eliminates the concern of data loss/theft in the event that the laptop is accessed by unauthorized users or it is stolen. We use this solution in our Highway Patrol cars to allow them complete access to all internal network resources remotely in a secure connection. In this mobile environment, there are areas where cellular data coverage drops or is missing. If the cellular signal drops the connection, the officer is able to reconnect when the signal is restored and resume operations right where they left off. I use a dedicated desktop for after-hours remote access 24/7/365. It gives me full access to all applications and data. There is no need to install applications on my laptop or desktop that I am remotely connecting. There is no need for large amounts of data to traverse over a VPN connection. All data and applications run in a server session inside a secure network over a thin connection that does not require large amount of bandwidth. Usage cases are as limited as your imagination.

  • It provides a robust, secure, rich desktop environment that is able to access all internal network resources.
  • Addresses security and compliance concerns as all data resides within the internal network. All data accessed stays within the internal network and does not need to traverse a VPN to the local desktop where it may be cached, etc.
  • The connection is thin client that does not require large amount of bandwidth.
  • Client application is available for all common devices and O/S’s.
  • No need to install, configure and maintain applications on local desktop.
  • Cost of backend systems hardware (servers, memory and storage) is initially very expensive.
  • VMware software purchase, licensing and ongoing support is also somewhat expensive.
  • Requires knowledgeable technical staff to setup and maintain.
  • Sometimes there are issues with printing to the remote desktop that needs to be troubleshot to resolve.
  • Needs a better means to upgrade versions without it being a major difficult undertaking.
Horizon View is well suited in larger organizations where there are needs to securely access applications and data from outside the internal network. It allows users a complete desktop experience remotely with access to all resources that are available on the local internal private network. It is fast and robust as data does not need to traverse the connection like a VPN connection and stays within the local internal network increasing data security. Cost for hardware and software is a high initial investment so smaller organizations will find it hard to justify the financial costs. In a diverse user environment, there are many uses for Horizon View. When faced with a need for a solution for users to access information or applications outside the internal network, having Horizon View is one of the best go to's to have available. Use your imagination and creativity to solve many business needs.
  • Good ROI if you can afford the initial implementation costs and training that is necessary to setup and manage. It may take 3 or more years to realize the financial ROI.
  • Desktops that do not meet minimum application requirements, can still be utilized as they are just used to access the server session though a lightweight client application, which extends replacement life.
  • Doing software and O/S upgrades/patching is a major time saver for linked clones. You update the Gold Image for the linked clones and recompose.
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.
Performance is excellent of you provide the needed hardware to support the sessions/connections. Pages load very quickly at the client end as the thin client application does a very good job and requires very little bandwidth. All applications function well, as they are running on a session on an internal server that is accessing data directly on the network.
I have found so many varied uses for Horizon View with various departments that we support. Each department has unique needs and Horizon View is one of the more useful tools that we have when designing a solution.
It takes knowledge to setup/install and integrate Horizon View into your environment. It also takes time to learn the skills to manage the product well. Once you accomplish these things, you can really use the product to help you create solutions.
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