Horizon 8 Reviews

Name: Horizon 8
Brand: Omnissa
Rating: 4.1 (114 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

114 reviews
88% willing to recommend

What is Horizon 8?

VMware Horizon is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution designed to allow users to create secure and scalable virtual desktops and applications that work on any device, from any location. These virtualization capabilities help simplify and speed up application delivery and greatly reduce enterprise costs.

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Horizon 8 is the #1 ranked solution in top User Virtualization solutions and #4 ranked solution in top Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions. PeerSpot users give Horizon 8 an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Horizon 8 is most commonly compared to VMware Workstation: Horizon 8 vs VMware Workstation. Horizon 8 is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 60% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 12% of all views.

Helped 862,499 peers since 2012

Featured Horizon 8 reviews

Muhammad JunaidJawed

Sr. VDI Engineer at Afiniti.com

I have been using Horizon for two years. It provides my DevOps team access to PAM and server through the provider The solution has helped ensure data leaks do not occur from the base machine to VDI, and it saves data through API copyright. The solution has data leak prevention features that…

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RashidAnwar

Senior Project Lead at Tetra Pak

The product supports remote work scenarios in our company, considering that we have different factory infrastructure devices, such as the remote operators in different areas of the plant, where it is used to access centralized applications from multiple types of devices, such as tablets, remote PCs, etc. The product facilitates virtual desktop management and deployment, which allows for centralized management. The tool allows our company to deploy multiple instances from one central repository simply. Security patches are much easier to deploy. The scalability part is also one of the advantages offered by the solution. The patch management is much easier, and access control of different devices is good in VMware Horizon View. The scalability or flexibility feature of VMware Horizon View enhances our company's IT operations by allowing us to use all the different security areas in the plant to be deployed and used in a few simple clicks. For production areas and warehousing zones, my company has created separate rules, after which we simply deploy from the central management and create clones of similar applications that are already designed during the first instance. I rate the user experience in terms of speed and reliability an eight out of ten. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it. I rate the tool an eight out of ten.

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Joel White

Manager, Department Information Systems at a government with 10,001+ employees

I would highlight the challenges related to integrating with Microsoft Azure services. Specifically, there are issues with MDM-managed devices and the necessity for MDM-managed compliant devices. In the non-persistent horizon model, there's a delay before each new desktop becomes compliant. Users can access these desktops before fully onboard into the MDM solution.

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Horizon 8 mindshare

Product category:

As of July 2025, the mindshare of Horizon 8 in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category stands at 7.8%, down from 13.9% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

PeerResearch reports based on Horizon 8 reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Horizon 8 vs VMware Workstation	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Horizon 8 vs VMware Fusion Pro	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Horizon 8 vs Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service)	Jul 20, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
VMware Workstation	4.4	15.4%	93%	56 interviews Add to research
Workspace ONE UEM	4.1	2.4%	84%	101 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Horizon 8 excels in centralized management, enabling IT teams to handle desktops remotely. Users appreciate the ease of access, security features, and dynamic virtual desktop creation. The integration with various devices allows seamless connectivity. Horizon 8 enhances cost efficiency, supporting efficient desktop updates and reducing infrastructure needs. The security features safeguard data and prevent leaks. Its performance and scalability address user demands, especially during remote work scenarios.

"My customers most likely use Horizon 8 for remote desktop, which means making sure that people can access system resources from anywhere on a secure platform, even from a non-secure, or non-company device."
"The solution has data leak prevention features that ensure data is not copied from the base machine to VDI, and API copyright capabilities."
"The solution has data leak prevention features that ensure data is not copied from the base machine to VDI, and API copyright capabilities."

Room for Improvement

Horizon 8 requires enhancements in integration with Linux and NVIDIA for better performance. It should improve cost-effectiveness, documentation, and support services. Technical setups and initial configurations remain complex with licensing issues posing challenges. Simplifying cross-platform usage and improving remote connections and user-profile management are necessary. Improvements in load balancing, automation, and enhanced analytics for user issue identification and monitoring are needed. Enhanced security features and better integration with Azure and third-party tools would be beneficial.

"From a performance point of view, we do have stability and reliability issues with Horizon 8. Especially with the integration of NVIDIA, we experience multiple problems including crashing applications, crashing desktops, spontaneous logoffs, black screens, and systems that no longer respond or cannot reconnect."
"We have limited capabilities since we are not using a multi-instance solution, just single instances. The solution underutilizes its capabilities."
"We have limited capabilities since we are not using a multi-instance solution, just single instances."

ROI

Many users see a positive ROI from Horizon 8, with benefits including reduced hardware costs and improved efficiency. Some experienced ROI within two to three years. Implementing Horizon 8 streamlined tasks significantly, particularly in educational settings, reducing time from a month to a week. VMware Horizon saves on hardware by allowing virtual machine deployment, eliminating the need for dedicated workstations. It also improves data protection, saving approximately 25% in time.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find VMware Horizon 8 pricing to be on the higher end, particularly for licensing and initial setup. While some view the costs as a worthwhile investment compared to constant hardware upgrades, options like subscription-based and perpetual licenses can influence cost-effectiveness. The solution is generally seen as better suited for medium to large enterprises rather than small businesses. Discounts may be available, although pricing can pose challenges for smaller organizations.

"We have a three-year contract, for which we pay about ten euros per user per month."
"The product is extremely expensive."
"The license cost has increased significantly, so we’re helping some customers with Azure VMware desktop solutions to save on licensing."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Horizon 8 for virtual desktop infrastructure and remote access, providing secure, centralized resources for remote workers, developers, and educational institutions. It enhances data security, consolidates data centers, and supports BYOD policies. Horizon 8 is deployed in various environments, including medical, educational, financial, and corporate sectors, offering managed VDI, application delivery, and digital workspace solutions, thereby facilitating geographically distributed workforces with consistent access to centralized applications and data.

Service and Support

Many users find Horizon 8's customer service to be responsive and helpful. However, technical support receives mixed feedback. Some praise quick problem-solving and knowledgeable staff, while others note issues with responsiveness, communication, and the need to escalate problems. There are concerns about tech expertise and troubleshooting efficiency. Overall satisfaction varies, with some users acknowledging a decline in service following internal restructuring and migration challenges.

Deployment

Horizon 8's initial setup varies in complexity. Some users find it straightforward with appropriate preparation and experience, while others encounter challenges due to intricate configurations and prerequisites. Deployments are simpler for those with VMware knowledge or existing infrastructures. Smaller implementations can be quick, but larger, more complex deployments may require detailed planning and additional expertise. Comprehensive documentation aids the process, though some setups involve integrating multiple components, impacting ease and duration.

Scalability

Horizon 8 is highly expandable, supporting thousands of users. It adapts to various organizational sizes, utilizing POD architecture for flexibility. Organizations find it suitable for multi-site deployment, with easy scalability across infrastructure. While some encountered challenges in large enterprises, others rate its integration capabilities highly. Maintenance requires proficiency, but setup allows rapid scaling. High user ratings often highlight its adaptability, especially when expanding across virtual environments and managing diverse user requirements seamlessly.

Stability

Horizon 8 is generally stable, although stability can depend on underlying infrastructure and use case. Some users report minimal issues, while others face challenges during transitions or with specific integrations. Many users rate VMware's stability highly, mentioning occasional agent disconnections or connectivity issues with newer versions. Stability is reliable if infrastructure components are well-managed and configured properly, with most users rating it between seven to ten out of ten for stability.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Horizon 8 Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Government

University

Healthcare Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Educational Organization

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Construction Company

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Media Company

Legal Firm

Performing Arts

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Logistics Company

Consumer Goods Company

International Affairs Institute

Marketing Services Firm

Compare Horizon 8 with alternative products

Learn more about Horizon 8

VMware Horizon’s centralized management console provides IT admins with comprehensive control over all of their virtual desktops and applications, making them simple to manage and secure. The solution enables using features such as identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, and encryption, to ensure ultimate data protection.

VMware Horizon benefits:

Some of key the benefits of using VMware Horizon include:

Increased security: VMware Horizon includes multiple security features such as identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, and encryption, to ensure a high level of security and data privacy.

Compliance: Meet regulatory and compliance requirements by providing users with secure and controlled access to data and applications.

Reduced costs: By using VMware Horizon, organizations can reduce the costs associated with managing and maintaining physical desktops and applications, as well as reduce the costs associated with providing secure remote access to these resources.

Easy management: VMware Horizon provides IT administrators with a user-friendly centralized management system, making it easier and faster to manage and secure their virtual desktops and applications.

Enhanced user experience: Users are able to access their virtual desktops and applications from any device, and from any location. Work from any location, without being tied to a specific device or area.

VMware Horizon features:

Some of the top features of VMware Horizon include:

Virtual desktops: Create secure and scalable virtual desktops, with a choice of operating systems and settings.

Virtual applications: Create virtual applications that can be run from any device or operating system.

Central management: Control and manage virtual desktops and applications from a single pane of glass.
Quick duplications: Clone virtual machines and applications instantly.

Scalability: VMware Horizon can scale on demand to meet the needs of any business large or small.

Reporting and analytics: Gain insight into user activity and behavior with detailed analytics and reporting.

Security features and ID management: Ensure the security and privacy of data with a wide variety of security features, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and network security.

Seamless integration: VMware Horizon integrates easily with other VMware solutions, including VMware vSphere, VMware NSX, and VMware Workspace ONE.

Reviews from Real Users

VMware Horizon stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Several major ones are its high performance, flexibility, and powerful virtualization capabilities.

Natnael A., a consultant at IWM Network Solutions, writes, “The app virtualizing is a great feature. The system developers use it to deliver apps to targeted staff. It basically reduces the server infrastructure resource. The solution provides good functionality.”

Rob M., a systems administrator at Saint Tammany Parish Hospital, says, “The solution has provided flexibility by allowing an end user to remote in, log in, and get their VM. VDI session and have all the icons and applications they need to use and retain the same booking view regardless of location.”

Horizon 8 was previously known as VMware Horizon, VMware Horizon View, Mware Dynamic Environment Manager.