A market-leading Citrix alternative
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Running a legacy VDI or published app environment?
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Omnissa Horizon and VVF for VDI combined offerings explained
Read More A market-leading Citrix alternative
Make the switch Running a legacy VDI or published app environment?
Take assessment Horizon with vSphere and vSAN offerings continue
Read More Omnissa Horizon and VVF for VDI combined offerings explained
Read More A market-leading Citrix alternative
Make the switch Running a legacy VDI or published app environment?
Take assessment Horizon with vSphere and vSAN offerings continue
Read More Omnissa Horizon and VVF for VDI combined offerings explained
Read MoreWhat is Horizon 8?
Horizon 8 is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and app solution that allows organizations to provide users with secure access to full desktops or individual apps on any device while maintaining centralized control over performance, policies, and infrastructure.
Improve ROI
Support more efficient desktop operations by simplifying management, reducing the number of images and infrastructure to manage, and automating routine tasks.
Deploy from anywhere
Run virtual desktops and applications on-premises, in private clouds, or in public cloud environments to support changing business and workforce needs.
Security and data protection
Keep data centralized and off the endpoint while enforcing granular, policy-driven controls to protect virtual desktops and applications and support security and compliance requirements.
Features
Run virtual desktops and apps with confidence
Support diverse enterprise desktop and app use cases, from full desktops to application lifecycle management, with integration across your existing infrastructure and ecosystem.
Consistent, high-performance user experience
Simplified application management
Centralized management and operations
Automated operations and lifecycle management
Broad peripheral support with IT control
Integration with workspace management
Explore Horizon 8 solutions, use cases, and partner integrations
Deliver virtual desktops and apps that support diverse enterprise requirements, from full desktop delivery to application lifecycle management, with integration across your existing infrastructure and ecosystem.
How Horizon 8 supports virtual desktops and apps
Support a range of enterprise scenarios, adapt to changing workforce needs, scale on demand, and meet security and compliance requirements for virtual desktops and apps.
Supported use cases
Experience Horizon 8 in action
See how it delivers virtual desktops and applications with built-in security and flexible management. Request a personalized demo with an expert.
Real-world impact from organizations using Horizon
Used by organizations across education, healthcare, financial services, and other industries with demanding IT, security, and compliance requirements
“Our confidence in Omnissa products comes not only from our own experience with external non-ČZU projects, but also from strong recommendations from other institutions. When choosing a solution from our desktop virtualization project, this all played a key role in our decision-making process.”
CIO, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (ČZU)
View Customer Story 
Education
Federal government
Help federal agencies support protected app access and centralized control—while safeguarding mission-critical information.
Retail
Boost workforce productivity, deliver seamless, consistent customer experiences, and beat the competition with Omnissa products & solutions.
Core Horizon components and architecture
Understand how Horizon 8 components work together to handle authentication, streamline access, and centralized management across your environment.
Horizon Connection Server
The Horizon Connection Server brokers user connections to available desktops and applications. It authenticates users via Active Directory, validates their entitlements, and directs them to the correct virtual desktop or app. While the Connection Server orchestrates session setup, it is not part of the ongoing protocol connection.
EXPLORE CONNECTION SERVERHorizon Client
The Horizon Client runs on user devices and launches virtual desktops or apps. It initiates authentication, requests entitled resources, and delivers the desktop or application to the user.
EXPLORE HORIZON CLIENTHorizon Agent
The Horizon Agent is installed on desktops, RDSH servers, or physical systems. It enables management by Horizon and delivers virtual desktop or app sessions to users through secure protocols.
EXPLORE HORIZON AGENTUnified Access Gateway
Unified Access Gateway (UAG) enables secure external access to Horizon environments. Positioned at the network edge, it serves as a secure gateway between external users and internal Horizon resources. UAG forwards authentication requests to the Connection Server and securely proxies protocol traffic to Horizon Agents, preventing direct exposure of internal systems to the internet.
EXPLORE UAGActive Directory
Active Directory delivers identity and authentication services for Horizon 8. It validates user authentication requests before granting access to desktops or applications, supporting enterprise policy enforcement and compliance.
EXPLORE ACTIVE DIRECTORYHorizon Connection Server
The Horizon Connection Server brokers user connections to available desktops and applications. It authenticates users via Active Directory, validates their entitlements, and directs them to the correct virtual desktop or app. While the Connection Server orchestrates session setup, it is not part of the ongoing protocol connection.
EXPLORE CONNECTION SERVERHorizon Client
The Horizon Client runs on user devices and launches virtual desktops or apps. It initiates authentication, requests entitled resources, and delivers the desktop or application to the user.
EXPLORE HORIZON CLIENTHorizon Agent
The Horizon Agent is installed on desktops, RDSH servers, or physical systems. It enables management by Horizon and delivers virtual desktop or app sessions to users through secure protocols.
EXPLORE HORIZON AGENTUnified Access Gateway
Unified Access Gateway (UAG) enables secure external access to Horizon environments. Positioned at the network edge, it serves as a secure gateway between external users and internal Horizon resources. UAG forwards authentication requests to the Connection Server and securely proxies protocol traffic to Horizon Agents, preventing direct exposure of internal systems to the internet.
EXPLORE UAGActive Directory
Active Directory delivers identity and authentication services for Horizon 8. It validates user authentication requests before granting access to desktops or applications, supporting enterprise policy enforcement and compliance.
EXPLORE ACTIVE DIRECTORYHorizon Connection Server
The Horizon Connection Server brokers user connections to available desktops and applications. It authenticates users via Active Directory, validates their entitlements, and directs them to the correct virtual desktop or app. While the Connection Server orchestrates session setup, it is not part of the ongoing protocol connection.
EXPLORE CONNECTION SERVERHorizon Client
The Horizon Client runs on user devices and launches virtual desktops or apps. It initiates authentication, requests entitled resources, and delivers the desktop or application to the user.
EXPLORE HORIZON CLIENTHorizon Agent
The Horizon Agent is installed on desktops, RDSH servers, or physical systems. It enables management by Horizon and delivers virtual desktop or app sessions to users through secure protocols.
EXPLORE HORIZON AGENTUnified Access Gateway
Unified Access Gateway (UAG) enables secure external access to Horizon environments. Positioned at the network edge, it serves as a secure gateway between external users and internal Horizon resources. UAG forwards authentication requests to the Connection Server and securely proxies protocol traffic to Horizon Agents, preventing direct exposure of internal systems to the internet.
EXPLORE UAGActive Directory
Active Directory delivers identity and authentication services for Horizon 8. It validates user authentication requests before granting access to desktops or applications, supporting enterprise policy enforcement and compliance.
EXPLORE ACTIVE DIRECTORYHelp protect data, users, and access with built-in security
Security is built into every layer of Horizon 8, from user access and session control to data protection and auditing. Help secure sensitive data, enforce granular policies, and meet compliance requirements across virtual desktop and application environments.
Centralized data with secure session access
Keep desktops and applications centralized in the data-center or cloud, with user access via secure sessions. Data never persists on endpoints, reducing risk of loss or theft.
Granular policy control
Enforce precise policies for clipboard usage, device redirection, printing, and session actions. These policies can be customized by user, group, or context using Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM) to prevent data leakage while accommodating diverse use cases.
Session recording for audit and compliance
Record and replay virtual desktop and application sessions to support compliance requirements, security investigations, and troubleshooting when deeper visibility is required.
Strong authentication and SSO
Integrate with Active Directory and Omnissa Access for multifactor authentication and True SSO, reducing password exposure while maintaining a smooth sign-in experience.
Deploy Horizon 8 where it makes sense for your organization
Run Horizon 8 across on-premises infrastructure and public cloud environments to align with cost, performance, compliance, and operational requirements, without being locked into a single deployment model.
On-premises deployments
Run Horizon 8 in your own data centers to maintain full control over infrastructure, data locality, and compliance. Supported platforms include:
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VMware vSphere
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Nutanix AHV
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OpenStack
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Red Hat Openshift
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Public cloud deployments
Extend Horizon 8 to supported public cloud environments to support new initiatives, geographic expansion, or cloud-native use cases. Supported environments include:
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Microsoft Azure
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Amazon Web Services (AWS)
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Google Cloud
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Oracle Cloud
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Alibaba Cloud
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Hybrid deployments
Combine on-premises environments with public cloud resources to support hybrid cloud use cases. Common hybrid scenarios include:
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Data center expansion
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Burst capacity
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Business continuity
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Disaster recovery
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Next steps
Pricing and packaging
Explore flexible subscription licensing for Horizon 8, with SaaS and term options to fit your organization’s needs. Compare editions and view comprehensive pricing details.
Deployment and onboarding
Get started with Horizon 8 using guided setup and deployment resources.
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Getting started
Get step-by-step instructions for setting up and using Horizon 8.
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Tech Zone resources
Access best practices, tutorials, and architecture diagrams.
SEE ON TECH ZONE
Support and training
Access help resources and learning paths to accelerate adoption.
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24x7 support
Our global support team is available via portal and phone.
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Training modules
Access self-paced courses, live webinars, and certification paths.
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Community forums
Connect with peers and experts to share insights and solutions.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Ready to get started?
Contact us to learn how Horizon 8 helps organizations deliver secure, flexible virtual desktops and applications.
FAQ
Horizon 8 supports deployment across on-premises and hybrid cloud environments, with centralized management, built-in security controls, and deep integration with the Omnissa portfolio. This allows organizations to align desktop delivery with business, compliance, and operational requirements.
Horizon 8 is available with subscription licensing, offering both term-based subscriptions and SaaS-based management options for on-premises, hybrid, and public cloud desktop and app delivery. Organizations can choose the model that best fits their operational and financial requirements.
Yes, Horizon 8 supports deployment across on-premises, private, and hybrid cloud environments. This flexibility enables organizations to optimize for performance, compliance, and scalability.
System requirements vary based on deployment size and environment. Detailed specifications and sizing guidance are available on Omnissa Tech Zone and the official documentation portal.
Horizon 8 keeps data centralized in the data-center or cloud and enforces granular access policies. Built-in security features help reduce the risk of data loss, unauthorized access, and endpoint compromise.
No. Horizon 8 supports deployment across on-premises and multiple cloud environments, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud, allowing organizations to choose the infrastructure that best fits their needs.
No. While Horizon 8 has long supported vSphere, it now runs across a broader set of infrastructure platforms. Horizon 8 supports environments based on Nutanix, OpenStack, and Red Hat OpenShift, giving organizations more choice in how they deploy and operate virtual desktops.
Horizon 8 is commonly chosen as a modern alternative to legacy VDI solutions such as Citrix, especially by organizations facing rising costs or support challenges. It delivers secure virtual desktops and applications with flexible deployment options, simplified management, and improved cost efficiency. Organizations often move to Horizon 8 to reduce the complexity and total cost of ownership associated with older VDI platforms, consolidate management, and better support hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Learn more about Horizon as a Citrix alternative.
Yes, Omnissa offers self-paced courses, live webinars, and certification paths to help IT teams build expertise in deploying and managing Horizon 8.
Comprehensive documentation, deployment guides, and best practice resources are available on Omnissa Tech Zone and the official documentation portal.