Application Virtualization comparison & reviews

Summary
Rank
4th 3rd 1st
Score
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User Reviews
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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
  • + In box in Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 Enterprise. PowerShell driven so lends itself very well to automation. The pros of App-V 4.6 also applies here.
  • + Integration with App Volumes and Horizon. Next to App-V, it's the most widely used product.
  • + 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.
Cons
  • - There's a learning curve even for those with experience in App-V 4.6 due to many changes to the underlying technology. Isolation options are rigid which makes application compatibility an issue when compared to other products.
  • - 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.
  • - Doesn't have a very large online community outside of Software2's recipe library which is not free.
  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
Supported
  •  
Under active development
No
Yes
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
Yes
No
No
  •  
Public showcase of 25+ applications
No
Yes
No
  •  
Public showcase of 50+ applications
No
Yes
No
  •  
Large community resource
Yes
Yes
Yes
  Solution licensing  
  •  
Concurrent licensing
No
Available
Available
  •  
Device licensing
Available
Available
Available
  •  
Unlimited licensing
Available
Available
Available
  •  
Per named user licensing
Available
Available
Available
  •  
Free for personal use
No
No
No
  •  
Services Provider License Agreement
Yes
No
Yes
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, three isolation modes available but none to run completely without isolation
Yes
  •  
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
No
No
Yes
  •  
Control isolation per folder/registry key
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Intercommunication of virtual environments
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization in user-mode
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization in kernel-mode
Yes
No
Yes
  Packaging  
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Pre-launch and post-exit scripting
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Pre-launch and post-exit scripting, centrally managed
No
No
Yes
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements, centrally managed
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Set virtual app OS requirements, centrally managed via GUI
No
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual app cannot override GPO
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual app can override GPO
Yes
No
No
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Support for virtual app templates
Yes
No
Yes
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Compression of virtual app package
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Packages can be signed (native tools)
No
Consider Performance Impact
No
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(Virtual) reboot during packaging supported
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
No limit on package file size
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Unattended application packaging
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Import of MSI packages for conversion
Automated App-V Sequencer
ThinApp Factory
Simple apps only or with automation scripts
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User can virtualize apps
No
No
No
  •  
Import other virtual application formats
No
No
No
  •  
No need for clean OS during packaging
Clean OS required
Clean OS Required
Yes
  •  
Virtual package: Save as MSI
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Package format is open source
Yes
No
No
  •  
Built-in package encryption
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Show custom message at virtual app launch
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Packager captures installer process
No
No
Yes
  •  
Packager captures all processes
Yes
Yes
Yes
  User Experience  
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Windows Explorer context menu integration
Yes
No
Yes
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User driven application repair
Yes
No
User can remove, re-add
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User settings preserved between app launches
Yes
Yes
Yes
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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
No
Yes
  Upgrade  
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Virtual app rollback
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual app upgrade, centrally managed
Yes
Yes, it can be
Yes
  •  
Virtual app upgrade while in use
No
No
No
  •  
Virtual app upgrade using deltas
Yes
Yes, with AppSync
Yes
  •  
App updates via HTTP/S protocol
Yes
Can use AppSync utility with ThinApp but its not very flexible
Yes
  Compatibility  
  •  
Support for protocol handlers
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Supports roaming user profiles
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Window class isolation
No
Yes
No
  •  
Compatible with DRM solution
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Package apps with kernel mode drivers
No
Not Possible
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of user mode services
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of boot time services
Can set to run at startup
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtualization of services that require privilege
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
COM virtualization
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
COM+ virtualization
No
No
Yes
  •  
DCOM virtualization
Yes, in most cases
Yes, in most cases
Yes
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Named pipes isolation
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Network stack isolation
No
No
No
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Support for WinSxS
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
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
  •  
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
Yes
Yes
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MS-DOS app on x32 platform
Not Supported
Yes
Not Supported
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Win16 application on x32 platform
Supported
16-bit app do not work in new versions of ThinApp
Supported
  •  
Win16 application on x64 platform*
Not Supported
Not Supported
Not Supported
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Win32 application on x64 platform
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Win64 application on x64 platform
Yes
Supported
Supported
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Support for virtual drive letters
Not Supported
Supported
Not Supported
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Support for virtual printer drivers
Not Supported
Supported
Not Supported
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Virtualize internationalization & code page
Supported
Supported
Not Supported
  •  
Support for virtual drive serial numbers
Not Supported
Supported
Not Supported
  •  
Run multiple versions of IE simultaneous
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win7
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 11 runs on Win7
No
Yes
No
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win7 with local IE 11
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win10
No
32-bit IE 10 will not work on Windows 8.1 with ThinApp
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 11 runs on Win10
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual IE 6-10 runs on Win10 with local IE 11
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Run virtual app in Windows compatibility mode
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Virtual MS Office 201x without local components
Yes
Significant limitations with Office 2013 and 2016 on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 with ThinApp
Yes for 2010, newer versions wont work on newer Windows OS
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Virtual host name resolution
No
No
No
  •  
Original Microsoft Windows APIs used by virtual app
Yes
Some
Yes
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Supported in combination with AppLocker
Yes
Supported
Yes
Architecture expand
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  General  
  •  
Create a High Available platform
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Load balancing is part of solution
No
No
Yes
  •  
Build in secure client-server communication
Yes
Yes, if using a server solution. ThinApp is primarily for producing standalone portable apps
Yes
  Deployment  
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Stream only initial app launch data at startup
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Native integration with a SCCM\MECM
Yes
  •  
Native integration with a CMS
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Streaming source based on client IP-subnet
No
No
No
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Streaming source centrally managed
Yes
No
Yes
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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
Yes
No
  •  
Virtual app + user settings run from removable storage, no installs
No
Yes
No
  •  
User settings can be stored on cloud storage
No
Yes
  •  
Package is portable, import from removable storage
Yes
Yes
Yes
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App streaming via HTTP/S protocol
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
App streaming via proprietary protocol
No
No
No
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App streaming via SMB
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Solution is client- or agentless
No
Yes
No
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Multiple concurrent client or agent versions on the same platform
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Memory sharing in multi-user environment
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Client-side persistent cache
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Centralized shared cache
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Block caching by WAN acceleration devices
No
Yes
Yes
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Usable with a Content Delivery Network
No
No
Yes
  •  
Self provisioning web portal
No
Yes, if integrated with Horizon
Yes
  Infrastructure  
  •  
Run virtual apps without directory service req.
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Supported in Novell NDS environment
No
Yes
Yes
  •  
Supported in Novell eDirectory environment
No
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
Not required
Dedicated Server Not Required
Yes
  •  
Enterprise scalable deployment platform included
Yes
Can deploy portable exe and use Reg utility to publish shortcuts
Yes
  •  
Data store supports: MS SQL Express Edition
No
Not Applicable
Yes
  •  
Data store supports: MS SQL
Yes
Not Applicable
Yes
  •  
Data store supports: Oracle
No
Not Applicable
No
  •  
Data store supports: IBM DB2
No
Not Applicable
No
  •  
Data store supports: MySQL
No
Not Applicable
Yes
  •  
Data store is XML based
No
Not Applicable
No
  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
Not Supported
Supported
No
  •  
Windows Server 2008R2 - RDSH
Supported
Supported
No
  •  
Windows Server 2012 - RDSH
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2012R2 - RDSH
Supported
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2016 – RDSH
Supported
Experimental
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2019
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows Server 2019 - RDSH
Supported
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
Supported
Supported
  •  
Windows 10 x64
Supported
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
CrossOver (limited)
No
  Cloud  
  •  
Usable in SaaS scenario
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Vendor offers cloud hosted service
No
No
Yes
  •  
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, if using VMware Horizon to deploy ThinApp apps you have a management platform.
Yes
  •  
File type associations centrally managed
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
File type association managed by user
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Integrate with Programs and features
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
URL redirection to virtual IE; locally configured
No
Supported
Yes
  •  
URL redirection to virtual IE; centrally managed
No
ThinApp updated .admx
Yes
  •  
URL redirection to other virtual browser
No
Yes
No
  •  
Management platform is included
Yes
No
Yes
  Access Control  
  •  
Role based administration
No
Role based administration possible when integrated with VMware Horizon
Yes
  •  
Limit application usage by AD security groups
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Limit application usage by AD computer objects
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Limit application usage by AD OU
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Machine targeting, centrally managed
Yes
Can be with VMware Horizon
Yes
  •  
Machine targeting, target OS, centrally managed
Yes
Can be with VMware Horizon
Yes
  •  
Machine targeting, targets OS/language/service pack, centrally managed
No
Can be with VMware Horizon
No
  •  
Offline virtual app usage can be time limited
No
Yes
Yes
  Audit  
  •  
Virtual app license metering
No
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual app usage tracking
Yes with Reporting Server
VMware Horizon can show deployments but not really usage.
Yes
  •  
Event logging on client
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Event logging on server
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual app debugging/diagnostics
Yes
Yes
No
  •  
Pre-packaging diagnostics
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Post-packaging diagnostics
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
Virtual app debug options build-in
No
Yes
No
  Scripting and Automation  
  •  
Manage with command line
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Manage with API/WMI
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Manage client with PowerShell
Yes
Yes
Yes
  •  
Manage server with PowerShell
Yes
No
Yes
  •  
SDK available
No
Yes
Yes

Matrix Score

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