Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Microsoft App-V vs Microsoft Virtual Server comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

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

Microsoft App-V
Ranking in Application Virtualization
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
9
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft Virtual Server
Ranking in Application Virtualization
3rd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
8.0
Number of Reviews
37
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Application Virtualization category, the mindshare of Microsoft App-V is 22.7%, down from 24.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Virtual Server is 1.8%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Virtualization
 

Featured Reviews

FG
Streaming has impressed but integration and support require improvement
The problem with Microsoft App-V is that there is no choice since Microsoft has decided to stop it, and we are searching for alternatives. Microsoft App-V needs to evolve, possibly with better integration with other solutions, particularly since we use Citrix and want to integrate App-V packages more efficiently. The management of packages should be easier, possibly through a web console for visibility in versioning, and options to convert packages when changing technologies. Many companies avoid using tools like Admin Studio due to high costs. Additionally, Microsoft App-V has been slow, and users experience delays when launching applications, which presents significant challenges.
ChimeremezeNwabueze - PeerSpot reviewer
Eliminates the need for physical hardware and is not platform dependent
You can detach and reuse the storage drive without disrupting the virtual server, which is quite useful. Additionally, it provides options like network security groups to protect virtual machines from unauthorized access. The tool offers compatibility with various operating systems through the Azure Marketplace. You can access a wide range of Windows operating systems, both enterprise and commercial.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I appreciate the process of being able to change or review my answers."
"It is very easy to use from an administration point of view."
"We can deploy applications incredibly fast."
"I would recommend Microsoft App-V for its simplicity and efficiency."
"The most interesting and powerful feature for us is the fact that we can upgrade any kind of app instantly."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft App-V that I found is the possibility to bring old software back to life and publish it for users to do their jobs using those applications."
"From my experience with Microsoft App-V, the feature I liked the most is the streaming."
"It is easy to scale. You can quickly deploy additional instances. Rollbacks are easy because there is an automatic backup every hour. Deploying the application is straightforward and efficient."
"The performance, pricing, and PowerShell commands are valuable features."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is stable."
"We use the solution for internal business purposes."
"You can detach and reuse the storage drive without disrupting the virtual server, which is quite useful. Additionally, it provides options like network security groups to protect virtual machines from unauthorized access."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is a highly scalable solution."
"It has proven to be most effective for workloads associated with running web portals."
"The standout features are its seamless network integration, robust data restoration capabilities, and versatile computing functions."
"It is stable and easy to use."
 

Cons

"The reporting features could be improved."
"Microsoft App-V has been slow, and users experience delays when launching applications, which presents significant challenges."
"Microsoft App-V is more suited for legacy software usage, and trying to make it work in that context usually feels tricky and unreliable."
"There is definitely room for improvement with Microsoft App-V, especially in terms of enhancing troubleshooting resources and user guidance."
"Regarding improvements in Microsoft App-V, I would appreciate seeing the successor, MSIX, work better, as nothing is going to be implemented anymore since it is end of life by the end of the year."
"If it were possible to integrate App-V with a cybersecurity solution then we could implement a documentation registry, which would be useful."
"The process was streamlined but didn't make our work simple. We encountered an issue with the person responsible for designing the website."
"The downside is that Microsoft bought this product and they are going to discontinue it in 2026. This is worrisome for us."
"The pricing and scalability are areas of the product with shortcomings where improvements are required."
"It would be good if the tool's integration improved."
"There is room for improvement in the user interface, which could be more user-friendly."
"The product must provide better data analytics."
"The main thing that could be improved is the licensing cost."
"The security performance and cost."
"In the future release, I would like to see more automation. Moreover, improvements related to recovery could be beneficial."
"Server security can always be improved."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Clients do not pay licensing fees."
"The pricing of this product is competitive."
"The pricing must be improved."
"Compared to the other products in the market, I believe that the prices of Microsoft Virtual Server are on the higher side."
"It is an expensive platform. I rate its pricing an eight out of ten."
"Some of the licensing costs are monthly, and others are yearly."
"It is an expensive product."
"The product is expensive."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is an expensive solution."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is a low-cost solution."
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Application Virtualization solutions are best for your needs.
857,162 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
17%
Government
11%
Computer Software Company
8%
Healthcare Company
7%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft App-V?
Regarding pricing, I believe flexibility would help retain customers. Costs could be more adaptable to meet varying budgets.
What needs improvement with Microsoft App-V?
I would like more server hardware in the cloud. Deploying more into the Azure ( /products/microsoft-azure-reviews ) architecture would be beneficial, and maintaining support for legacy applications...
What is your primary use case for Microsoft App-V?
I use Microsoft App-V ( /products/microsoft-app-v-reviews ) to deploy applications onto Windows platforms and environments. Instead of installing software on each user's PC or laptop, we associate ...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Virtual Server?
I am not involved much in cost-related matters but heard from management that it is a better choice.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Virtual Server?
There is room for improvement in the user interface, which could be more user-friendly. Additionally, introducing a .NET experience with a drag-and-drop feature would enhance ease of report formati...
 

Also Known As

App-V, MS App-V
Virtual Server, MS Virtual Server
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), GDDKiA, P&V, Etisalat Lanka, Hellenic Petroleum
Paylocity, ASELSAN, Sochi Organizing Committee, Supervisor of Elections, Orange County, Florida, Netgem, Nav Canada, The British & Irish Lions
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft App-V vs. Microsoft Virtual Server and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
857,162 professionals have used our research since 2012.