Shells.com is a Desktop as a Service (DAAS) that provides access to cloud-generated desktop environments. It offers the ability to turn a variety of low-spec and legacy devices into fully functional desktops, and cloud-generated desktops integrate with a variety of applications for uses such as word processing, word processing, etc., coding and musical production. Read on to find out why Shells.com is among the best virtual office services.
Save money by paying for Shells.com annually (Image credit: Shells.com)
Plans and prices
Shells.com offers three payment plans, tailored to different budgets and user expectations. The best plan option depends on the number of cores, the amount of disk space, and the RAM you need. The Shells Lite plan is priced at €4.95/month and offers access to a variety of desktop environments powered by a single processor, with 40GB of storage and 2GB of memory. However, access is limited to less than 10 hours per month. There is the option of an annual subscription to the Shells Basic plan for €9.95/month. This allows unlimited use of a cloud-based environment powered by a single processor, with 40 GB of storage and 2 GB of memory. You can also pay the standalone monthly price of €11.95. Finally, there is the offer of a cloud-based computer that "can do it all" with the Shells Pro plan for a monthly price of €36.95, for an annual subscription. This allows remote access to a system powered by four processors, with 160 GB of storage and 8 GB of memory. Again, there is a month-to-month payment option, with a price tag of €39.95. Each of the payment plans can be canceled within seven days for a full refund.
Features
Shells.com allows you to create a virtual machine through the cloud, with a selection of operating systems to send to your physical device. You have an identifier to access the Shell account and another to manage the operating system you have chosen.
Shells.com offers a variety of desktop environments, of particular interest to developers, music producers, and educators (Image credit: Shells.com) You can view a list of virtual desktops generated after login via the Shells website .com. A new shell can then be chosen from a regularly updated list of operating system distributions. Current options include Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS, Android, and Microsoft Windows 10 Pro. A variety of pre-installed apps and other software can be accessed after signing in to your preferred desktop environment. For example, you can use Libre Office Writer to create word processing documents on Ubuntu. Specialized programs such as VScode, FL Studio, Audacity are also integrated.
The Shells account interface is clean and easy to use (Image credit: Shells.com)
Interface and in use
The desktop interface is delivered via the Shell.com cloud directly to the device of your choice, allowing you to harness the processing power of the remote server. However, your computer must have a supported web browser and be able to run the dedicated Shell application. How desktop features and selected programs work depends on the device you are using. For example, you can connect a keyboard and mouse to your smart TV to make it work like a standard desktop computer. There's also an on-screen menu that offers the option to switch to 4K resolution and zoom in or out.
The Shells website has a customer support section, with helpful instructions and tutorials (Image credit: Shells.com)
Support
The main support section of the Shells.com website provides answers to a variety of questions. There is also a section dedicated to "Learning with Shells", which includes quick instructions and step-by-step tutorials. The instructions are quite clear and easy to follow. Live support can be accessed through the Shells.com website. When you submit a question, you receive links to relevant articles, but if the articles are of no help, you can leave a message with the Shells.com team. For the purposes of this review, we have submitted one regarding an installation issue. However, there was no response within 24 hours, which does not reflect well on their customer service.
Users are guaranteed a high level of security while browsing Shell workstations (Image credit: Shells.com)
fullfilment of security requirements
Complete with firewalls and end-to-end encryption, the Shell environment is ideal for software and testing tasks that might otherwise risk irreparable damage to your physical device. You can keep your device connected to Shells.com 24 hours a day, which means tasks can be done in the background and overnight. The built-in snapshot feature allows the user to undo all changes and restore the desktop to a previous state. And the operating system can be quickly reinstalled in the event of a major error.
Competition
One of the most popular rivals for the title of Best DAAS is the feature-rich Amazon WorkSpaces. However, their standard pricing is higher than Shells.com's: you have to pay €21/mo for unlimited use of a cloud environment powered by a single processor, with 10GB of storage and 2GB of memory. Citrix managed desktops are also widely recognized and well-suited for the remote workforce. The range of desktop environments can connect to Android, Windows and iOS devices. There is some variation in price, depending on the number of users, features, and licenses you want to have. The integration and virtualization of popular communication and collaboration tools make Citrix a good choice for businesses.
Final verdict
Reasonably priced and packed with features, Shells.com is a great choice for everyday users and specialist professionals. Designed to be easy to use, it can be quickly and easily connected to a wide range of devices. The complimentary inclusion of free daily backups spanning up to seven days is a good idea, helping Shells.com stand out from some established rivals.