The best virtual office services are designed to provide flexible and secure solutions for remote work and remote computer access. In short, these Desktop as a Service (DaaS) platforms allow you to use in-house or cloud-hosted solutions to provision virtual machines, which you can then access from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.
Citrix XenDesktop is now part of the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops suite (Image credit: Citrix) In our Citrix XenDesktop review, we took a closer look at this DaaS provider. Now, Citrix XenDesktop has recently been rebranded and is available as part of the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop bundle. We look at the price, usability, main platform features, and more to help you decide if it's worth using.
There are several deployment options available (Image credit: Citrix)
Packages and prices
Citrix DaaS is available with several different deployment options. At the cheaper end of the spectrum is on-premises deployment, which involves using your own data center. Pricing for this option is tailored to your needs and you will need to speak to the sales team for more information. In addition to the self-hosting option, there are three managed solutions. Prices vary depending on the number of users and the length of their contract. The cheapest option starts at €8.23 per user, per month for a three-year plan with 500 users, €10.29 per user, per month for a one-year subscription, and €16 per user, per month with monthly payments. Prices go down with more users.
Features
With Citrix, you can deliver apps and desktops to thousands of users with just a few mouse clicks. Strict user controls and regulatory compliance ensure all employees have access to the correct programs and information, and a selection of advanced features are available to add to the user experience. One thing that stands out about Citrix DaaS solutions is their cloud nature. Basically, this means that you don't have to worry about running and maintaining your own server infrastructure. The risk of your IT systems going offline is considerably less when using a cloud-based system. Please note that on-premises deployment is available, but we strongly recommend that you opt for cloud deployment, unless you have a specific reason not to.
There is a selection of products that you can add to your Citrix DaaS subscription (Image credit: Citrix) Support Products Another thing we appreciated was the selection of support products that you can add to your Citrix DaaS subscription. These include various scanning programs, a secure browser, and more advanced security and performance integrations. One of the main problems with some DaaS providers is their poor security. However, Citrix excels here and allows you to set clear access permissions through the selection of highly configurable security options.
The admin interface is easy to navigate and packed with advanced tools (Image credit: Citrix)
Interface and in use
Citrix DaaS is a versatile and highly customizable program. This means that different users will have very different experiences. Overall, though, the UI is neat, if a bit bland. Team admins should have no problem setting user permissions, and new virtual desktops can be deployed with minimal effort. On the user side, multiple desktops can be accessed if necessary, and all that is needed for this is a web browser and an Internet connection. To get started, you'll need to contact the Citrix team to schedule a demo. They'll walk you through the ins and outs of the platform, answer your questions, and work with you to develop an implementation plan for your organization. The installation and deployment process is quite complex, so expect it to take some time.
There is a large resource library full of advanced resources (Image credit: Citrix)
Support
Citrix offers a number of support options, including full technical support for existing users. Live chat is not available, but you can submit a ticket online or contact a local support team by phone for personalized service. There is also a great selection of self-help resources, including video tutorials, webinars, white papers, and comprehensive technical documentation.
There are many documents outlining security best practices (Image credit: Citrix)
Security
Citrix offers powerful and advanced DaaS and other technical solutions, and its security measures are some of the best we've seen. It's impossible to list them all here, but the important thing to understand is that you'll be covered by industry-leading security integrations, ensuring that sensitive data and other information is protected at all times. There are a selection of resources that describe security measures and best practices in more detail.
Competition
Citrix DaaS offers advanced virtual desktop solutions, but it's not a great option for small-scale users. Windows Virtual Desktop presents a much more viable option for small businesses because it doesn't include minimum user or machine limits. Like Citrix, it is built on the advanced infrastructure of Microsoft Azure, although the lack of Linux options will affect some users. Nutanix XI Frame is another great option, especially for those looking for a simple, out-of-the-box, easy-to-deploy solution. Native apps are conspicuously absent, but the speed, accessibility, and ease of use on offer here make Nutanix one of the most popular virtual desktop services on the market today.
Final verdict
Ultimately, Citrix delivers advanced DaaS solutions through the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) platform. The implementation is flexible, although it will take some time. Security integrations and configurable tools are excellent, and provisioning new virtual desktops is a fast and streamlined process. If you're looking for a leading DaaS solution for your large organization, Citrix might be the right choice. But if you're looking for a useful option for smaller-scale use, you'll have to look elsewhere.