Application Virtualization vs Shared Desktop: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the modern workplace, employees are often expected to be productive from anywhere, at any time. To support this flexible workstyle, many organizations are turning to virtualization technologies, such as application virtualization and shared desktop solutions. These technologies allow employees to access their applications and desktop environment from any device, anywhere.

However, when it comes to choosing between application virtualization and shared desktop solutions, there are pros and cons to consider. In this blog I will point out some pros and cons at these two solutions.

Application Virtualization

Application virtualization involves separating the application from the operating system and underlying hardware. This allows the application to be streamed to any device, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Application virtualization also provides a more secure environment, as the application is isolated from the local operating system.

Pros:

• Application virtualization allows employees to access their applications from any device, anywhere.

• The technology provides a more secure environment, as the application is isolated from the local operating system.

• Application virtualization reduces the need for expensive hardware upgrades, as the applications are streamed to the device rather than installed locally.

Cons:

• Application virtualization can be slow, as the application is streamed to the device in real-time.

• The virtualized application may not have the same performance as the locally installed version, as the application is running in a virtual environment.

Shared Desktop

Shared desktop solutions, such as Citrix Desktop, provide employees with a virtualized desktop environment that is hosted in the cloud. The virtualized desktop can be accessed from any device, anywhere.

Pros:

• Shared desktop solutions provide employees with a full desktop experience, including all of their applications and files.

• The virtualized desktop is available from any device, anywhere, allowing employees to be productive from anywhere.

Cons:

• Shared desktop solutions can be slow, as the entire desktop environment is streamed to the device in real-time.

• The virtualized desktop may not have the same performance as a locally installed desktop, as the desktop is running in a virtual environment.

• Shared desktop solutions can be expensive, as organizations are required to pay a monthly fee for each user.

In conclusion, both application virtualization and shared desktop solutions have their pros and cons. While shared desktop solutions, such as “Citrix Desktop”, provide employees with a full desktop experience, they can be slow and unreliable. Application virtualization, on the other hand, provides a more secure environment and reduces the need for expensive hardware upgrades, but can be slow and may not have the same performance as a locally installed application.

Organizations need to weigh the pros and cons of each solution before choosing the right one for their needs.

Hope this blog shed some light on the topic…