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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
7.4
Number of Reviews
38
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Application Virtualization category, the mindshare of Microsoft App-V is 21.9%, down from 23.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Virtual Server is 2.9%, up from 1.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Virtualization Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft App-V21.9%
Microsoft Virtual Server2.9%
Other75.2%
Application Virtualization
 

Featured Reviews

Francois Gotti - PeerSpot reviewer
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

"Microsoft App-V is a simple, very good working product that just works."
"It is very easy to use from an administration point of view."
"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."
"I would recommend Microsoft App-V for its simplicity and efficiency."
"From my experience with Microsoft App-V, the feature I liked the most is the streaming."
"I appreciate the process of being able to change or review my answers."
"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."
"We can deploy applications incredibly fast."
"The most valuable feature is the ability to share folders and run Active Directory."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is stable."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is a highly scalable solution."
"The solution's performance is good."
"Security, integration, and interface are the best features of Microsoft Virtual Server."
"It has proven to be most effective for workloads associated with running web portals."
"The tool is productive and performs well. The server speed is also fast."
"It is a scalable solution...I followed some online tutorials, because of which I did not face any technical issues or the need to contact the solution's technical support."
 

Cons

"If it were possible to integrate App-V with a cybersecurity solution then we could implement a documentation registry, which would be useful."
"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."
"Microsoft App-V is more suited for legacy software usage, and trying to make it work in that context usually feels tricky and unreliable."
"The reporting features could be improved."
"The downside is that Microsoft bought this product and they are going to discontinue it in 2026. This is worrisome for us."
"The process was streamlined but didn't make our work simple. We encountered an issue with the person responsible for designing the website."
"Microsoft App-V has been slow, and users experience delays when launching applications, which presents significant challenges."
"There is definitely room for improvement with Microsoft App-V, especially in terms of enhancing troubleshooting resources and user guidance."
"While I am generally satisfied with the solution, it could slightly improve its stability."
"The solution should be more user-friendly and cheaper."
"The pricing and scalability are areas of the product with shortcomings where improvements are required."
"The solution’s pricing could be improved."
"They should introduce a way to localize the currency for product pricing."
"The security performance and cost."
"The tool must provide updates less frequently."
"The solution’s stability could be improved."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing of this product is competitive."
"Clients do not pay licensing fees."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is an expensive solution."
"It is an expensive platform. I rate its pricing an eight out of ten."
"The product is expensive."
"It is an expensive product."
"The pricing must be improved."
"Microsoft Virtual Server’s licensing is expensive."
"Microsoft Virtual Server is a low-cost solution."
"There is no need for me to pay anything towards the solution's licensing costs."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
15%
Government
10%
Healthcare Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
7%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Large Enterprise5
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business19
Midsize Enterprise8
Large Enterprise14
 

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?
There is definitely room for improvement with Microsoft App-V, especially in terms of enhancing troubleshooting resources and user guidance.
What is your primary use case for Microsoft App-V?
I have been using Microsoft App-V for quite some time, and I can describe my use cases, which include various applications that enhance productivity.
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?
I do not know about disadvantages as I am not a system engineer, but something can be challenging or complex.
 

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: September 2025.
869,566 professionals have used our research since 2012.