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Microsoft Virtual Server vs VMware ThinApp [EOL] comparison

Microsoft and Broadcom are both solutions in the Application Virtualization category. Additionally, 92% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.
Microsoft Virtual Server
Read 39 Microsoft Virtual Server reviews
  • 1,776 Views
  • 1,776 Comparison Views
92% willing to recommend
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 Microsoft Virtual Server and VMware ThinApp [EOL] based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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

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    To learn more, read our detailed Application Virtualization Report (Updated: July 2026).
    Buyer's Guide
    Application Virtualization
    July 2026
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    Helped 908,745 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

    Microsoft Virtual Server
    Average Rating
    8.2
    Reviews Sentiment
    6.1
    Number of Reviews
    39
    Ranking in other categories
    Application Virtualization (3rd)
    VMware ThinApp [EOL]
    Average Rating
    9.0
    Number of Reviews
    3
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
     

    Featured Reviews

    UdaySiddu - PeerSpot reviewer
    UdaySiddu
    Software Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
    Virtual machines have improved cost savings and now provide safe, fast, snapshot-based recovery
    Virtual Servers are valuable to us. We have been using Microsoft Virtual Server for the last five years. We use it for common applications and server applications. Microsoft Virtual Server machines are good compared to on-premises infrastructure. You can take a snapshot whenever we require it, and we can rebuild it. The data is safe, easily accessible, fast, and scalable. For snapshots, whenever we do any maintenance activity, the admin team takes snapshots. If there are any issues or upgrade problems, they revert back to the old one.
    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

    "The most valuable feature is the ability to share folders and run Active Directory."
    "The solution provides easy monitoring and easy troubleshooting."
    "Security, integration, and interface are the best features of Microsoft Virtual Server."
    "It is an expensive platform. I rate its pricing an eight out of ten."
    "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."
    "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."
    "The performance and scalability offered by the tool meet our company's expectations."
    "The most valuable feature is the tool's cheap cost."
    More Microsoft Virtual Server 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

    "Support could always be a bit better."
    "Microsoft has lost all credibility on this front."
    "The product must provide better data analytics."
    "The pricing and scalability are areas of the product with shortcomings where improvements are required."
    "The platform’s dashboard features could be better."
    "The product must provide easier rollouts."
    "Some versions of Windows operating systems do not run well on a virtual platform, such as XP and Windows 2003 - even with integration tools installed."
    "Server security can always be improved."
    More Microsoft Virtual Server cons
    "There are some functional areas Thinapp could be improved. Perhaps including application specific or hardware specific virtual drivers"
    "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."
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "There is no need for me to pay anything towards the solution's licensing costs."
    "The price of this product could be better."
    "Compared to the other products in the market, I believe that the prices of Microsoft Virtual Server are on the higher side."
    "The cost can also be optimized by changing the size of the implementation."
    "The tool's cost has been taken care of with the help of Microsoft Fabric and with a consolidated or unified interface, where the entire product serves as a SaaS offering for the user."
    "Microsoft Virtual Server’s licensing is expensive."
    "Microsoft Virtual Server is an expensive solution."
    "It is an expensive platform. I rate its pricing an eight out of ten."
    More Microsoft Virtual Server pricing and cost advice
    Information not available
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    Top Industries

    By visitors reading reviews
    Construction Company
    25%
    Financial Services Firm
    15%
    Comms Service Provider
    8%
    Energy/Utilities Company
    7%
    No data available
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
    By reviewers
    Company SizeCount
    Small Business20
    Midsize Enterprise8
    Large Enterprise15
    No data available
     

    Questions from the Community

    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.
    See all answers
    What needs improvement with Microsoft Virtual Server?
    For improvements, sometimes users use service accounts to log into the server. Identifying the server owner or the virtual machine owner is a difficult task for admins. Manually, someone needs to u...
    See all answers
    What is your primary use case for Microsoft Virtual Server?
    I am using Microsoft Virtual Server as an end-user. I am using Microsoft Virtual Server Discovery and Microsoft Virtual Server ITSM, which is a basic tool, not a development or discovery tool. I am...
    See all answers
    Ask a question
    Earn 20 points
     

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    Compared 28% of the time
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    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Microsoft Virtual Server
    July 2026
    Microsoft Virtual Server reportDownload Microsoft Virtual Server product report
    Buyer's Guide
    Application Virtualization
    July 2026
    VMware ThinApp [EOL] reportDownload VMware ThinApp [EOL] product report
     

    Also Known As

    Virtual Server, MS Virtual Server
    ThinApp
     

    Overview

    Microsoft Virtual Server offers virtual environment solutions that enhance connectivity, management, and resource efficiency across cloud and on-premises setups.

    Ideal for virtualizing environments, Microsoft Virtual Server enhances operational efficiency by integrating with existing tools while offering robust security and network integration. Its scalability and high availability support hybrid deployments, benefiting engineering, administration, and business functions.

    What features does Microsoft Virtual Server offer?
    • Resource Scalability: Adaptable resources for varying needs.
    • Data Restoration: Reliable and robust recovery options.
    • Network Integration: Seamless integration into existing networks.
    • Security Measures: Enhanced protection for virtual environments.
    • Cost-Effectiveness: Efficient use of resources to reduce costs.
    • Performance: High availability and reliability for VMs.
    • User-Friendliness: Easy management and configuration.
    • Low Resource Consumption: Efficient resource use for better performance.
    • Compatibility: Supports multiple operating systems.
    • Non-Disruptive Detachment: Detach storage without disruption.
    What ROI should users expect?
    • Operational Efficiency: Streamlined server administration reduces downtime.
    • Cost Reduction: Reduces physical hardware and maintenance expenses.
    • Flexible Deployment: Hybrid cloud capabilities for diverse setups.
    • Improved Management: Centralized control enhances VM operations.
    • High Availability: Ensures continuous business operations.
    • Resource Management: Optimizes resource allocation across platforms.

    Microsoft Virtual Server finds use in engineering, administration, and testing applications across industries, leveraging cloud databases for better connectivity and enabling efficient operation in complex environments. It's particularly attractive for businesses needing centralized Active Directory management and file server access.

    Microsoft

    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

    Paylocity, ASELSAN, Sochi Organizing Committee, Supervisor of Elections, Orange County, Florida, Netgem, Nav Canada, The British & Irish Lions
    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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