Top 5 Omnissa Horizon Alternatives in 2025

Omnissa Horizon (formerly known as VMware Horizon) is a leading virtualization platform used to deliver remote desktops and applications across a variety of devices. It supports centralized management, security controls, and integrations with on-premises and cloud infrastructure—making it a go-to for many enterprise IT teams.

But for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Omnissa Horizon can be overbuilt. It was designed with large-scale virtual desktop environments in mind—not lightweight application publishing. The cost, licensing requirements, and infrastructure overhead often make it a poor fit for ISVs who simply want to deliver a single Windows application to remote users.

In 2025, many ISVs are seeking lighter, more flexible alternatives. Below are the top options—starting with the most ISV-friendly solution available.

1. GO-Global – Lightweight, Application-First Delivery for ISVs

GO-Global is a purpose-built remote access solution that allows ISVs to publish Windows applications directly over the web—no full desktop, no hypervisor, no RDS stack. It’s fast to deploy, cross-platform compatible, and eliminates many of the common challenges associated with Omnissa Horizon.

Why ISVs Are Switching to GO-Global:

• App-first delivery – No need for a full virtual desktop
  
  
• Lower TCO – Avoids costly virtualization and licensing
  
  
• Cross-platform access – Mac, Linux, Chromebook, and browser supported
  
  
• Fast deployment – No complex backend infrastructure
  
  
• Preserves existing code – No rewriting or rearchitecting needed
  
  

GO-Global is ideal for ISVs looking to modernize legacy app delivery without building and maintaining a virtual desktop environment.

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2. Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Azure Virtual Desktop integrates tightly with Microsoft 365 and Active Directory and supports both desktop and app virtualization. It’s scalable and highly configurable, making it popular among enterprise teams.

Best For: ISVs with Azure experience or enterprise clients requiring Microsoft-native integration

Limitations: Complex to set up and maintain; costs can increase quickly

3. Amazon WorkSpaces

Amazon WorkSpaces offers persistent Windows desktop instances in the cloud. It’s a managed service designed to support remote users and scalable deployments via the AWS ecosystem.

Best For: ISVs already using AWS or needing integrated cloud services

Limitations: Built for desktop delivery, not optimized for app-first use cases

4. Citrix DaaS (Desktop as a Service)

Citrix DaaS delivers high-performance virtual desktops and applications with a focus on security, policy control, and enterprise scalability. It’s one of the most powerful options available.

Best For: Large ISVs or vendors serving regulated industries with strict compliance needs

Limitations: High cost, complex architecture, and overkill for many ISVs

5. Parallels RAS

Parallels RAS offers a simplified virtualization experience with support for both applications and desktops. It includes load balancing, session management, and multi-site configuration in a more accessible package.

Best For: ISVs that want more control than basic RDS setups but less complexity than Citrix

Limitations: Still requires Windows Server infrastructure; not as tailored to ISVs as GO-Global

Final Thoughts

Omnissa Horizon remains a strong solution for enterprise VDI—but for ISVs, it’s often more than what’s needed. In 2025, the shift is clear: ISVs want to move away from heavy infrastructure and toward solutions that let them deliver apps simply, securely, and without high licensing overhead.

GO-Global leads that shift with its application-first model, easy deployment, and ISV-friendly approach. If your goal is to deliver Windows apps remotely without building out an entire desktop environment, it’s the ideal alternative to Omnissa Horizon.

Are you an ISV exploring cloud-based application delivery? Contact us to learn how GO-Global can help you streamline software access for your end users. Or download a free trial to test it yourself.