Application Virtualization comparison & reviews

Summary
Rank
4th 4th 3rd
Score
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Analysis expand by Rory Monaghan by Rory Monaghan by Rory Monaghan
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General expand
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  • Fully Supported
  • Limitation
  • Not Supported
  • Information Only
Pros
  • + Highest rate of app compatibility of all virtualization products. The simplest packaging of all products, very little skill required. Native support for drivers. Ability to control isolation or integration of individual files and reg keys. Citrix Ready and SCCM Integrated. Has powershell cmdlets for automation.
  • + Possibly the most widely used of all appvirt products, thus it has a relatively large online community and a pool of skilled talent for employers.
  • + Has integration with many 3rd party products including XenApp, SCCM, Admin Studio etc.
  • + Integration with App Volumes and Horizon. Next to App-V, it's the most widely used product.
Cons
  • - Doesn't have a very large online community outside of Software2's recipe library which is not free.
  • - Out of mainstream support. Does not work or integrate well with newer platforms and Operating Systems.
  • - Though packaging is pretty streamlined and relatively simple with a series of text files, making updates to large applications requires recompiling the .exe which can take a long time. Development was pretty slow and this was the last product to support 64-bit applications. Newer versions of Office or new Windows Operating System have limited functionality.
  Content  
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Solution Summary
(score pending)
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Content Creator
(score pending)
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Vendor Specialist
(score pending)
  Assessment  
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Maturity
(score pending)
  Support Status  
  •  
Product is supported (Not End Of Life )
Supported
Supported but out of mainstream
Supported
  •  
Under active development
Yes
No
Yes
  Maturity  
  •  
Proven technology
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Public enterprise references in Europe
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Public enterprise references in US
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Official training classes available
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Official Certification program: VUE/Prometric
No
No
No
  •  
Public showcase of 25+ applications
No
No
Yes
  •  
Public showcase of 50+ applications
No
No
Yes
  •  
Large community resource
Yes
Yes
Yes
  Solution licensing  
  •  
Concurrent licensing
Available
No
Available
  •  
Device licensing
Available
Available
Available
  •  
Unlimited licensing
Available
Available
Available
  •  
Per named user licensing
Available
Available
Available
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Free for personal use
No
No
No
  •  
Services Provider License Agreement
Yes
Yes
No
Virtualization Characteristics expand
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  Isolation  
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Full virtualization/isolation of apps
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Full integration of apps in Operating System
Yes
No
No, three isolation modes available but none to run completely without isolation
  •  
Apps operate with minimal chance of conflicts
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Directory redirection
No
No
No
  •  
Registry redirection
No
No
No
  •  
File redirection
No
No
No
  •  
Files and registry virtualization
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Control isolation per file/registry value
Yes
No
No
  •  
Control isolation per folder/registry key
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Intercommunication of virtual environments
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization in user-mode
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtualization in kernel-mode
Yes
Yes
No
  Packaging  
  •  
Pre-launch and post-exit scripting
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Pre-launch and post-exit scripting, centrally managed
Yes
No
No
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements, centrally managed
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements, centrally managed via GUI
Yes
No
No
  •  
Virtual app cannot override GPO
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual app can override GPO
No
Possible with certain minor revs of 4.6
No
  •  
Support for virtual app templates
Yes
Yes
No
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Compression of virtual app package
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Packages can be signed (native tools)
No
No
Consider Performance Impact
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(Virtual) reboot during packaging supported
Yes
Yes
Yes
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No limit on package file size
Yes
App-V 4.6 had a file size limit of 4GB
Yes
  •  
Unattended application packaging
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Import of MSI packages for conversion
Simple apps only or with automation scripts
No
ThinApp Factory
  •  
User can virtualize apps
No
No
No
  •  
Import other virtual application formats
No
No
No
  •  
No need for clean OS during packaging
Yes
No
Clean OS Required
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Virtual package: Save as MSI
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Package format is open source
No
Yes
No
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Built-in package encryption
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Show custom message at virtual app launch
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Packager captures installer process
Yes
No
No
  •  
Packager captures all processes
Yes
Yes
Yes
  User Experience  
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Windows Explorer context menu integration
Yes
No
No
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User driven application repair
User can remove, re-add
Yes
No
  •  
User settings preserved between app launches
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
User settings can be stored on network
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Local user settings synchronized with the server
No
No
No
  •  
Localized client interface available
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
User can easily terminate virtual environment
Yes
Yes
No
  Upgrade  
  •  
Virtual app rollback
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual app upgrade, centrally managed
Yes
Yes
Yes, it can be
  •  
Virtual app upgrade while in use
No
No
No
  •  
Virtual app upgrade using deltas
Yes
Yes
Yes, with AppSync
  •  
App updates via HTTP/S protocol
Yes
Yes
Can use AppSync utility with ThinApp but its not very flexible
  Compatibility  
  •  
Support for protocol handlers
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Supports roaming user profiles
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Window class isolation
No
No
Yes
  •  
Compatible with DRM solution
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Package apps with kernel mode drivers
Yes
No
Not Possible
  •  
Virtualization of user mode services
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of boot time services
Yes
If run at startup
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of services that require privilege
Yes
Yes
Yes
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COM virtualization
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
COM+ virtualization
Yes
No
No
  •  
DCOM virtualization
Yes
Yes, in most cases
Yes, in most cases
  •  
Named pipes isolation
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Network stack isolation
No
No
No
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Support for WinSxS
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Virtualization of fonts on desktops
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of fonts on terminal server
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Start virtual app via RunAs
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Compatible with Windows UAC
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Support for Windows long filenames
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Virtualization of .NET framework
Yes
Only older versions
Yes
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MS-DOS app on x32 platform
Not Supported
Not Supported
Yes
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Win16 application on x32 platform
Supported
Supported
16-bit app do not work in new versions of ThinApp
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Win16 application on x64 platform*
Not Supported
Not Supported
Not Supported
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Win32 application on x64 platform
Supported
Supported
Supported
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Win64 application on x64 platform
Supported
Supported
Supported
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Support for virtual drive letters
Not Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Support for virtual printer drivers
Not Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Virtualize internationalization & code page
Not Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Support for virtual drive serial numbers
Not Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Run multiple versions of IE simultaneous
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win7
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 11 runs on Win7
No
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win7 with local IE 11
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win10
Yes
No
32-bit IE 10 will not work on Windows 8.1 with ThinApp
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Virtual IE 11 runs on Win10
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win10 with local IE 11
Yes
No
Yes
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Run virtual app in Windows compatibility mode
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Virtual MS Office 201x without local components
Yes for 2010, newer versions wont work on newer Windows OS
Yes
Significant limitations with Office 2013 and 2016 on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 with ThinApp
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Virtual host name resolution
No
No
No
  •  
Original Microsoft Windows APIs used by virtual app
Yes
Yes
Some
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Supported in combination with AppLocker
Yes
Yes
Supported
Architecture expand
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  General  
  •  
Create a High Available platform
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Load balancing is part of solution
Yes
No
No
  •  
Build in secure client-server communication
Yes
Yes
Yes, if using a server solution. ThinApp is primarily for producing standalone portable apps
  Deployment  
  •  
Stream only initial app launch data at startup
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Native integration with a SCCM\MECM
Yes
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Native integration with a CMS
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Streaming source based on client IP-subnet
No
Depends on delivery solution
No
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Streaming source centrally managed
Yes
Yes
No
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Offline virtual app usage
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Mobile device enabled
No
No
No
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Virtual app can run embedded inside browser
No
No
No
  •  
Virtual app runs from removable storage, no installs
No
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual app + user settings run from removable storage, no installs
No
No
Yes
  •  
User settings can be stored on cloud storage
Yes
No
  •  
Package is portable, import from removable storage
Yes
Yes
Yes
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App streaming via HTTP/S protocol
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
App streaming via proprietary protocol
No
Yes
No
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App streaming via SMB
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Solution is client- or agentless
No
No
Yes
  •  
Multiple concurrent client or agent versions on the same platform
No
No
Yes
  •  
Memory sharing in multi-user environment
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Client-side persistent cache
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Centralized shared cache
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Block caching by WAN acceleration devices
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Usable with a Content Delivery Network
Yes
No
No
  •  
Self provisioning web portal
Yes
No
Yes, if integrated with Horizon
  Infrastructure  
  •  
Run virtual apps without directory service req.
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Supported in Novell NDS environment
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Supported in Novell eDirectory environment
Yes
Yes
Yes
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No need for license service
Yes
Yes
Yes
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No need for file share
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
No need for dedicated server
Yes
Yes
Dedicated Server Not Required
  •  
Enterprise scalable deployment platform included
Yes
Yes
Can deploy portable exe and use Reg utility to publish shortcuts
  •  
Data store supports: MS SQL Express Edition
Yes
Yes
Not Applicable
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Data store supports: MS SQL
Yes
Yes
Not Applicable
  •  
Data store supports: Oracle
No
No
Not Applicable
  •  
Data store supports: IBM DB2
No
No
Not Applicable
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Data store supports: MySQL
Yes
No
Not Applicable
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Data store is XML based
No
No
Not Applicable
  Client platform  
  •  
Support for EN localized operating systems
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Support for EN/DE/FR/ES localized operating systems
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Support for JP/Simple Chinese localized operating systems
Supported
Supported
Supported
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Windows Server 2008 - RDSH
No
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2008R2 - RDSH
No
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2012 - RDSH
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2012R2 - RDSH
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2016 – RDSH
Supported
Supported
Experimental
  •  
Windows Server 2019
Supported
Not Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2019 - RDSH
Supported
Not Supported
  •  
Windows 7
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 7 x64
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.0 x86
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.0 x64
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.1 x86
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.1 x64
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 10 x86
Supported
Not Officially Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 10 x64
Supported
Not Officially Supported
Supported
  •  
macOS, run virtual apps on MacOS
No
  •  
Android, run virtual apps on Android
No
  •  
iOS, run virtual apps on iOS
No
  •  
Linux, run virtual app native on Linux
No
No
CrossOver (limited)
  Cloud  
  •  
Usable in SaaS scenario
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Vendor offers cloud hosted service
Yes
No
No
  •  
Native integration with cloud hosted storage product(s)
No
No
No
  •  
Amazon Workspaces
Yes
Management expand
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  General  
  •  
Central management platform
Yes
Yes
Yes, if using VMware Horizon to deploy ThinApp apps you have a management platform.
  •  
File type associations centrally managed
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
File type association managed by user
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Integrate with Programs and features
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
URL redirection to virtual IE; locally configured
Yes
No
Supported
  •  
URL redirection to virtual IE; centrally managed
Yes
No
ThinApp updated .admx
  •  
URL redirection to other virtual browser
No
No
Yes
  •  
Management platform is included
Yes
Yes
No
  Access Control  
  •  
Role based administration
Yes
No
Role based administration possible when integrated with VMware Horizon
  •  
Limit application usage by AD security groups
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Limit application usage by AD computer objects
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Limit application usage by AD OU
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Machine targeting, centrally managed
Yes
With SCCM not the native App-V Full Infrastructure
Can be with VMware Horizon
  •  
Machine targeting, target OS, centrally managed
Yes
Yes
Can be with VMware Horizon
  •  
Machine targeting, targets OS/language/service pack, centrally managed
No
No
Can be with VMware Horizon
  •  
Offline virtual app usage can be time limited
Yes
Yes
Yes
  Audit  
  •  
Virtual app license metering
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Virtual app usage tracking
Yes
Yes
VMware Horizon can show deployments but not really usage.
  •  
Event logging on client
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Event logging on server
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Virtual app debugging/diagnostics
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Pre-packaging diagnostics
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Post-packaging diagnostics
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Virtual app debug options build-in
No
No
Yes
  Scripting and Automation  
  •  
Manage with command line
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Manage with API/WMI
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Manage client with PowerShell
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Manage server with PowerShell
Yes
No
No
  •  
SDK available
Yes
No
Yes

Matrix Score

  •  
  •  
  • Microsoft
  • Microsoft
  • VMware
  •  
  • 4 th
  • 4 th
  • 3 rd
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