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Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs VMware ThinApp [EOL] comparison

Citrix and Broadcom are both solutions in the Application Virtualization category. Additionally, 93% of Citrix users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.
VMware ThinApp [EOL]
Read 3 VMware ThinApp [EOL] reviews
    100% willing to recommend
     

    Comparison Buyer's Guide

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    Executive Summary
    We performed a comparison between Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) and VMware ThinApp [EOL] based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

    Find out what your peers are saying about Citrix, Microsoft, Canonical and others in Application Virtualization.

    DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE REPORT
    To learn more, read our detailed Application Virtualization Report (Updated: July 2026).
    Buyer's Guide
    Application Virtualization
    July 2026
    Download the complete report
    Helped 907,664 peers since 2012

    Review summaries and opinions

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Categories and Ranking

    Citrix DaaS (formerly Citri...
    Average Rating
    8.4
    Reviews Sentiment
    6.5
    Number of Reviews
    128
    Ranking in other categories
    Application Virtualization (1st), Remote Access (5th), Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) (1st), Desktop as a Service (DaaS) (1st)
    VMware ThinApp [EOL]
    Average Rating
    9.0
    Number of Reviews
    3
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
     

    Featured Reviews

    SN
    Sorin Neacsu
    Technical Lead on Virtual Desktop at Orange
    Has delivered consistent desktop experiences across remote locations and has supported multimedia workloads efficiently
    I have utilized the HDX protocol for compression and audio-video capabilities. When users need to conduct meetings with customers or colleagues, they can use Teams solutions and open a bridge where video and audio are encapsulated within the ICA protocol, which is protected by SSL and certificates for security. This provides secure communication at good quality through the HDX protocol. HDX protocol has improved application performance as it is specifically designed for multimedia applications. If processing audio or video files, such as in telecom where discussions are recorded and then prepared as video or audio, this does not consume excessive bandwidth during the operation compared to a normal remote desktop connection provided by Microsoft. Everything is compressed and provides sufficient bandwidth for multiple people to perform similar tasks without interruption or session disconnection. All multimedia-related activities, such as playing content on YouTube, deliver a better experience with this protocol overall. I use multi-factor authentication for opening sessions to the data center where users access their machines or software. Multi-factor authentication has helped secure applications because users typically have two-way authentication software on their phones. They use a password first and then authenticate themselves through their mobile application to grant access to resources. This approach is effective because if a hacker attacks a user, they need more than just the password and username. They must also possess the device that provides authentication. The device typically has facial recognition, a password, and provides better security overall.
    Read full review
    it_user769638 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user769638
    Associate Operations at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
    Streamlines checking our app after pushing an update, which helps cut costs
    In the past we used multiple servers to load-balance the application and when we pushed updates to the application we would need to check it on all servers. But when it comes to VMware ThinApp we can do it on a file server or Isilon share and this helps cut costs and create a healthy environment. If we publish an application in Citrix through a server we should have more capacity. On multiple occasions, some applications need updates so at that point we need to disable the servers. But in this case there is no need for disabling user sessions, they can use it and we can do just gpupdate to update all servers in a row.
    Read full review

    Quotes from Members

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Pros

    "We can virtualize desktops as well as apps."
    "The whole organization is more productive because Citrix allows us to coordinate together and share information."
    "From my perspective, when the COVID pandemic occurred, and the whole company had to work remotely, the users who used this solution had a better feeling that the remote system is stable and reliable, in comparison with a regular VPN connection with a VPN client."
    "It's amazing that if someone has a sick child, they can still work."
    "The scalability of Citrix Workspace is exceptional."
    "Go for it."
    "It is a very scalable solution."
    "We are using this to allow our users to access applications over a secured, remote environment, and it has helped to reduce the outages in our IT infrastructure, especially during server maintenance."
    More Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) pros
    "In the past we used multiple servers to load-balance the application and when we pushed updates to the application we would need to check it on all servers, but when it comes to VMware ThinApp we can do it on a file server or Isilon share and this helps cut costs and create a healthy environment."
    "A great solution to get started with app virtualization, app mobility and deployment"
     

    Cons

    "The Endpoint Management solution needs improvement when it comes to mobile device management. For example, they are still not supporting Windows 10 and this feature is required by many customers."
    "Their customer support can be improved a lot as it lacks a lot of knowledgeable help."
    "Pricing and technical support needs improvement."
    "The studio is very slow."
    "If anything could be improved, it might be some of the Director functionality, and some of the dashboard customization, or the overall Director customization."
    "It would help if it were a little simpler. It's a bit complicated and we have hired Citrix administrators. But it's a good solution."
    "The dashboard should be more user-friendly as the tabs are not organized clearly."
    "I had a stability issue with Citrix XenServer. If you experience a problem with XenServer, you must know Linux commands, unlike with VMWare ESX."
    More Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) cons
    "There are some improvements needed regarding different types of options and still they are in research and build stage so once everything is set it will look good."
    "There are some functional areas Thinapp could be improved. Perhaps including application specific or hardware specific virtual drivers"
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "In the past, the prices of the product were great. With the acquisition of Citrix by your company, the prices have drastically increased. For my company, it has become a bit of a problem to sell products from Citrix."
    "The tool is expensive."
    "Where Citrix really needs to improve is in their support and in the way that they manage their licenses. Everything else comes second because if I'm not in a position where I can get proper support or manage my own licenses in an easy way, then it is pointless. Today, I am at a point where I may not be able to use Citrix anymore because they want to take away some of the licenses that I bought, pretending they are not valid anymore. That is frankly unacceptable. If they don't solve this, everything comes second because I cannot use my product."
    "You have to do some hard work in order to get the suitable licenses."
    "We spent nearly 1,50,000 Euros for 250 licenses."
    "Citrix licensing is expensive."
    "The licensing, in general, is expensive. A lot of customers battle to pay the amount. It's very difficult to ensure that your solution provides the business value that the customer is after."
    "We have more than a million seats under management so we get the best price."
    More Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) pricing and cost advice
    Information not available
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    Top Industries

    By visitors reading reviews
    Computer Software Company
    12%
    Financial Services Firm
    9%
    Manufacturing Company
    9%
    Comms Service Provider
    8%
    No data available
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
    By reviewers
    Company SizeCount
    Small Business45
    Midsize Enterprise21
    Large Enterprise69
    No data available
     

    Questions from the Community

    What needs improvement with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops?
    I have found that Citrix DaaS is still a complex product, especially on the desktop side, which affects scalability. Although it works well on the apps side, the desktop aspect still has room for i...
    See all answers
    What advice do you have for others considering Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops?
    I rate the overall product a six out of ten.
    See all answers
    What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix Workspace?
    Citrix DaaS is considered expensive, especially for companies that do not require multi-cloud. Tiered pricing based on company size would be beneficial.
    See all answers
    Ask a question
    Earn 20 points
     

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    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service)
    July 2026
    Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) reportDownload Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) product report
    Buyer's Guide
    Application Virtualization
    July 2026
    VMware ThinApp [EOL] reportDownload VMware ThinApp [EOL] product report
     

    Also Known As

    XenDesktop, XenApp (Citrix Virtual Apps), Citrix Workspace
    ThinApp
     

    Interactive Demo

    Citrix
    Demo not available
    Broadcom
     

    Overview

    Citrix DaaS provides centralized administration, high security, and app and desktop flexibility, offering excellent user experience and robust remote access. It is known for low bandwidth seamless performance and ease of use, ensuring consistent experience on diverse devices.

    Citrix DaaS is a comprehensive service for virtual application delivery and remote access, ideal for distributed teams and mobile workers. Its support for application virtualization, data regulation compliance, and business continuity makes it valuable in remote work environments. Organizations use it for centralized management and secure remote workflows, benefiting from low-bandwidth delivery in multi-city deployments. However, enhancements in speed, performance, and scalability are necessary, along with better monitoring and pricing improvements. Users face cloud compatibility challenges, and improvements in virtual desktop functionality and multimedia experience are desired.

    What are the key features of Citrix DaaS?
    • Centralized Administration: Streamlined management of virtual desktops and apps from a single console.
    • High Security: Advanced protection features for data and applications.
    • Flexibility: Customizable publishing options for apps and desktops.
    • Robust Remote Access: Reliable performance even on low bandwidth connections.
    • Device Support: Broad compatibility ensures seamless deployment across devices.
    What benefits should users look for?
    • Enhanced Business Continuity: Ensures consistent access to apps and data remotely.
    • Low Bandwidth Efficiency: Maintains performance in limited connectivity scenarios.
    • Centralized Management: Simplifies control over remote resources.
    • Remote Work Enablement: Facilitates secure access for distributed teams.

    In healthcare, Citrix DaaS supports secure access to patient records and applications essential for telemedicine. Financial services benefit from compliance with data regulation and secure workflows. In education, virtual desktops offer accessible learning resources, aiding remote teaching initiatives. Retail uses it for streamlining operations across dispersed locations, ensuring quick access to inventory systems and data management.

    Citrix

    VMware ThinApp accelerates application deployment and simplifies application migration with agentless application virtualization. Deploy ThinApp packages on "locked-down" PCs and allow end users to run their favorite applications without compromising security. ThinApp eliminate application conflicts by isolating applications from each other and the underlying OS into a single executable file that can be easily deployed to many endpoints.

    Broadcom
     

    Sample Customers

    Exelon, Aeronamic, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Alameda County Medical Center, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Aloysius Stichting, Amarchand Mangaldas, AmBev, Amnet Technology Solutions, Arval
    Delhi International Airport, Telus Communications Company, Mansfield District Council, St Edmunds College, Sydney Adventist Hospital, ITSAM, Hertz International, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. , ASVZ, Appenzell Ausserrhoden Informatik, MTF, Stadt Hattingen, €sterreichisches Verkehrsbªro AG, DER Reisebªro GmbH & Co OHG, Thomas-Krenn.AG, BFI Wien, Metal One Pipe & Tubular Products Inc., NTT Neomeit
    Buyer's Guide
    Application Virtualization
    July 2026
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    Find out what your peers are saying about Citrix, Microsoft, Canonical and others in Application Virtualization. Updated: July 2026.
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