Application Virtualization comparison & reviews

Summary
Rank
1st 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
  • + Has the most options for deployment with MSI, portable exe, Streaming from TubroServer, Using the TurboHub or integrated with LANDesk's ESD.
  • + Some apps launch in the browser and Turbo.net plugin is also now supported macOs, iOS and Android.
  • + You can isolate the network stack
  • + Wide range of 3rd party product support for packaging. Focus on accessibility for software developers. Promoted by Microsoft as their future solution.
  • + Integration with App Volumes and Horizon. Next to App-V, it's the most widely used product.
Cons
  • - Small online community. Packaging and troubleshooting with the various levels of isolation requires skill.
  • - Relatively low success rate. Steep learning curve for the product. Package mitigations require 3rd party products or use of Package Support Framework which is geared more toward developers than IT Pros.
  • - 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)
(score pending)
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Content Creator
(score pending)
(score pending)
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Vendor Specialist
(score pending)
(score pending)
  Assessment  
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Maturity
(score pending)
(score pending)
  Support Status  
  •  
Product is supported (Not End Of Life )
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Under active development
Yes
Yes
Yes
  Maturity  
  •  
Proven technology
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Public enterprise references in Europe
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Public enterprise references in US
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Official training classes available
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Official Certification program: VUE/Prometric
No
No
No
  •  
Public showcase of 25+ applications
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Public showcase of 50+ applications
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Large community resource
No
No
Yes
  Solution licensing  
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Concurrent licensing
Available
Available
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
Limited free features
Technically Yes via Insider
No
  •  
Services Provider License Agreement
Yes
Yes
No
Virtualization Characteristics expand
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  Isolation  
  •  
Full virtualization/isolation of apps
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Full integration of apps in Operating System
No
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, can be excluded or included
No
  •  
Control isolation per folder/registry key
Yes
No, can be excluded or included
Yes
  •  
Intercommunication of virtual environments
Yes
Coming Soon
Yes
  •  
Virtualization in user-mode
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization in kernel-mode
No
Limited, requires elevation
No
  Packaging  
  •  
Pre-launch and post-exit scripting
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Pre-launch and post-exit scripting, centrally managed
No, only in TurboStudio
No
No
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements
Yes
Set by Rev number, similar to MSI Schema property
Yes
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements, centrally managed
No
No
No
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Set virtual app OS requirements, centrally managed via GUI
No
No
No
  •  
Virtual app cannot override GPO
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual app can override GPO
No
No
No
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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)
Yes with other tools
Yes
Consider Performance Impact
  •  
(Virtual) reboot during packaging supported
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
No limit on package file size
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Unattended application packaging
Yes
Limited
Yes
  •  
Import of MSI packages for conversion
Simple apps only or with automation scripts
No
ThinApp Factory
  •  
User can virtualize apps
Yes
No
No
  •  
Import other virtual application formats
Yes; ThinApp, ZENworks and MSI
No
No
  •  
No need for clean OS during packaging
Yes
You can package multiple times but should be clean
Clean OS Required
  •  
Virtual package: Save as MSI
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Package format is open source
No
Yes
No
  •  
Built-in package encryption
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Show custom message at virtual app launch
Yes
Not simple but can be created in PSF
Yes
  •  
Packager captures installer process
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Packager captures all processes
Yes
Yes
Yes
  User Experience  
  •  
Windows Explorer context menu integration
Limited
No, claim to work but dont appear to work
No
  •  
User driven application repair
No
Yes
No
  •  
User settings preserved between app launches
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
User settings can be stored on network
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Local user settings synchronized with the server
Yes
N/A
No
  •  
Localized client interface available
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
User can easily terminate virtual environment
No
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
Technically via URI for Store but limited in how you can deploy
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
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Compatible with DRM solution
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Package apps with kernel mode drivers
No
No
Not Possible
  •  
Virtualization of user mode services
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of boot time services
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of services that require privilege
Yes
Can run as LocalSystem,LocalService or Network Service Accounts
Yes
  •  
COM virtualization
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
COM+ virtualization
No
No
No
  •  
DCOM virtualization
Yes, in most cases
Yes
Yes, in most cases
  •  
Named pipes isolation
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Network stack isolation
Yes
No
No
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Support for WinSxS
Yes
Requires remediation
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of fonts on desktops
Yes
Yes, easier with 3rd party tools
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of fonts on terminal server
Yes
Yes, easier with 3rd party tools
Yes
  •  
Start virtual app via RunAs
Yes
No
Yes
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Compatible with Windows UAC
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Support for Windows long filenames
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Virtualization of .NET framework
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
MS-DOS app on x32 platform
Not Supported
Not Supported
Yes
  •  
Win16 application on x32 platform
Supported
Supported
16-bit app do not work in new versions of ThinApp
  •  
Win16 application on x64 platform*
Not Supported
Not Supported
Not Supported
  •  
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
Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Support for virtual printer drivers
Not Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Virtualize internationalization & code page
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
Yes
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
  •  
Run virtual app in Windows compatibility mode
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual MS Office 201x without local components
Yes for 2010, newer versions wont work on newer Windows OS
No
Significant limitations with Office 2013 and 2016 on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 with ThinApp
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Virtual host name resolution
Yes
No
No
  •  
Original Microsoft Windows APIs used by virtual app
Some
Yes
Some
  •  
Supported in combination with AppLocker
Yes
Yes
Supported
Architecture expand
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  General  
  •  
Create a High Available platform
Yes
N/A
Yes
  •  
Load balancing is part of solution
Built-in Load Balancing Coming Soon
N/A
No
  •  
Build in secure client-server communication
Yes
N/A
Yes, if using a server solution. ThinApp is primarily for producing standalone portable apps
  Deployment  
  •  
Stream only initial app launch data at startup
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Native integration with a SCCM\MECM
No
Yes
  •  
Native integration with a CMS
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Streaming source based on client IP-subnet
No
N/A
No
  •  
Streaming source centrally managed
Yes
N/A
No
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Offline virtual app usage
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Mobile device enabled
Yes
No
No
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Virtual app can run embedded inside browser
Yes
No
No
  •  
Virtual app runs from removable storage, no installs
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual app + user settings run from removable storage, no installs
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
User settings can be stored on cloud storage
Yes
No
  •  
Package is portable, import from removable storage
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
App streaming via HTTP/S protocol
Yes
N/A
No
  •  
App streaming via proprietary protocol
No
N/A
No
  •  
App streaming via SMB
Yes
N/A
Yes
  •  
Solution is client- or agentless
Plugin required for central management but portable app dont require a client install
Yes
Yes
  •  
Multiple concurrent client or agent versions on the same platform
For portable apps no client is required
No
Yes
  •  
Memory sharing in multi-user environment
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Client-side persistent cache
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Centralized shared cache
Shared Image Cache Available
No
No
  •  
Block caching by WAN acceleration devices
No
N/A
Yes
  •  
Usable with a Content Delivery Network
Yes
N/A
No
  •  
Self provisioning web portal
Yes
Yes
Yes, if integrated with Horizon
  Infrastructure  
  •  
Run virtual apps without directory service req.
Supported
Yes
Yes
  •  
Supported in Novell NDS environment
Supported
No
Yes
  •  
Supported in Novell eDirectory environment
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
No need for license service
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
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
No
N/A
Not Applicable
  •  
Data store supports: MS SQL
No
N/A
Not Applicable
  •  
Data store supports: Oracle
No
N/A
Not Applicable
  •  
Data store supports: IBM DB2
No
N/A
Not Applicable
  •  
Data store supports: MySQL
No
N/A
Not Applicable
  •  
Data store is XML based
No
N/A
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
  •  
Windows Server 2008 - RDSH
Supported
No
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2008R2 - RDSH
Supported
No
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2012 - RDSH
Supported
No
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2012R2 - RDSH
Supported
No
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2016 – RDSH
Supported
No
Experimental
  •  
Windows Server 2019
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2019 - RDSH
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 7
Supported
MSIX Core
Supported
  •  
Windows 7 x64
Supported
MSIX Core
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.0 x86
Not Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.0 x64
Not Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.1 x86
Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 8.1 x64
Supported
Not Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 10 x86
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 10 x64
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
macOS, run virtual apps on MacOS
Yes
No
  •  
Android, run virtual apps on Android
Yes
No
  •  
iOS, run virtual apps on iOS
Yes
No
  •  
Linux, run virtual app native on Linux
No
No
CrossOver (limited)
  Cloud  
  •  
Usable in SaaS scenario
Yes
Not streamed but can be published via Web
No
  •  
Vendor offers cloud hosted service
Yes
With MSIX App Attach
No
  •  
Native integration with cloud hosted storage product(s)
Yes
No
No
  •  
Amazon Workspaces
None
No
Management expand
0%
0%
0%
  General  
  •  
Central management platform
Yes
No
Yes, if using VMware Horizon to deploy ThinApp apps you have a management platform.
  •  
File type associations centrally managed
Yes
No
No
  •  
File type association managed by user
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Integrate with Programs and features
Yes
No
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
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Management platform is included
Yes
No
No
  Access Control  
  •  
Role based administration
Limited
N/A
Role based administration possible when integrated with VMware Horizon
  •  
Limit application usage by AD security groups
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Limit application usage by AD computer objects
No
No
Yes
  •  
Limit application usage by AD OU
Yes
No
No
  •  
Machine targeting, centrally managed
Can be with LANDesk
No
Can be with VMware Horizon
  •  
Machine targeting, target OS, centrally managed
No
No
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
No
Yes
  Audit  
  •  
Virtual app license metering
Yes
No
No
  •  
Virtual app usage tracking
Yes
No
VMware Horizon can show deployments but not really usage.
  •  
Event logging on client
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Event logging on server
No
N/A
No
  •  
Virtual app debugging/diagnostics
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Pre-packaging diagnostics
No
Yes
No
  •  
Post-packaging diagnostics
No
No
No
  •  
Virtual app debug options build-in
Yes
Yes, PSF
Yes
  Scripting and Automation  
  •  
Manage with command line
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Manage with API/WMI
Community created module
No
Yes
  •  
Manage client with PowerShell
Community created module
Yes
Yes
  •  
Manage server with PowerShell
No
N/A
No
  •  
SDK available
Yes
Yes
Yes

Matrix Score

  •  
  •  
  • Numecent
  • Microsoft
  • VMware
  •  
  • 1 st
  • 4 th
  • 3 rd
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