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

Microsoft Virtual Server

VMware ThinApp [EOL]

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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.

To learn more, read our detailed Application Virtualization Report (Updated: July 2026).

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Application Virtualization

July 2026

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Helped 908,344 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

Ranking in other categories

Application Virtualization (3rd)

VMware ThinApp [EOL]

Average Rating

9.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

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.

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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.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution provides easy monitoring and easy troubleshooting."

"The dashboard is valuable to us."

"The most valuable features are monitoring, and the self-service that they have for a customized environment."

"The tool is perfectly stable."

"Microsoft Virtual Server is a stable and easy-to-use solution."

"The product is reliable."

"The solution is good at allowing end users to connect anytime and anywhere."

"I appreciate the ease and speed with which I can set up and manage virtual machines using Microsoft Virtual Server."

More Microsoft Virtual Server pros

"A great solution to get started with app virtualization, app mobility and deployment"

"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."

Cons

"Support could always be a bit better."

"Microsoft has lost all credibility on this front."

"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."

"As certain medium-level complexities are involved in the product's setup process, the product's setup phase can be considered for improvement."

"The solution’s stability could be improved."

"The pricing and scalability are areas of the product with shortcomings where improvements are required."

"The solution should be more user-friendly and cheaper."

"The response time from technical support could be faster."

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."

"It is an expensive platform. I rate its pricing an eight out of ten."

"The cost can also be optimized by changing the size of the implementation."

"Compared to the other products in the market, I believe that the prices of Microsoft Virtual Server are on the higher side."

"The solution has a yearly license. If we switch to a yearly subscription plan for Microsoft Virtual Server, it would be cheaper in the long run. The price per month would be higher, but the overall cost for the year would be lower."

"Some of the licensing costs are monthly, and others are yearly."

"The pricing must be improved."

"The product is expensive."

More Microsoft Virtual Server pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

26%

Financial Services Firm

16%

Energy/Utilities Company

Educational Organization

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	8
Large Enterprise	15

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...

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Compared 26% of the time

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Compared 20% of the time

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) vs Microsoft Virtual Server

Compared 17% of the time

Numecent Cloudpager vs Microsoft Virtual Server

Compared 14% of the time

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Microsoft Virtual Server

Compared 13% of the time

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Compared 27% of the time

Inuvika vs VMware ThinApp [EOL]

Compared 22% of the time

Numecent Cloudpager vs VMware ThinApp [EOL]

Compared 20% of the time

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

Compared 18% of the time

More VMware ThinApp [EOL] Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Virtual Server

July 2026

Download Microsoft Virtual Server product report

Buyer's Guide

Application Virtualization

July 2026

Download 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 Edmunds 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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