Application Virtualization Options

A colleague recently asked me what tools I use or have used for application virtualization. After the conversation, I realized the topic became quite involved and detailed, and decided to organize the comments and information. 

There is no doubt that there is a plethora of application virtualization tool out there. The question is, “How do you tell them apart?”

Application Virtualization divorces the apps from the OS; allowing it to be delivered efficiently. Other benefits include: applications not needing to be installed on the end user computing device, easier to patch and upgrade, concurrent execution of multiple versions of the same app on the same end user computing device, and application streaming allows delivery to all sorts of mobile devices or endpoints (B.Y.O.D.).

Major players in this quadrant include VMWare ThinApp, Citrix XenApp, and Microsoft APP-V. Each product integrates best with its own vendors product offerings; for instance, Microsoft Hyper-V with App-V or VMWare Horizon with ThinApp.

The following application virtualization comparison, I’ll cover the different features, capabilities and support these tools offer.

Citrix XenApp – ThinApp and App-V only provide app virtualization. XenApp is an overall. application delivery system. Citrix Streaming  is the vendor's application virtualization technology. XenApp is useful for IT shops that have a wide variety of applications -- old and new -- and want to virtualize apps with Citrix Streaming that ThinApp and App-V don't support. Citrix XenApp 6.5 reduces application launch times through the Instant App Access feature. Improvements to the HDX protocol also allow apps to be run in higher-latency environments. Plus, XenApp 6.5 includes a mobility pack that improves application delivery to mobile devices.

VMWare ThinApp – ThinApp offers a couple of capabilities XenApp and App-V do not. For instance, it can deliver offline applications, and it's the most portable of the application virtualization tools. You can run ThinApp applications from almost anywhere because users don't need to install software or device drivers. Some administrators say ThinApp is somewhat cumbersome to deploy. It's also trickier to manage applications because it doesn't come with a centralized management platform. ThinApp 4.6 integrates with VMWare View 4.5 and above. ThinApp Factory automates the application packaging process. This virtual appliance, which plugs into vCenter or VMware Workstation, takes the encoding and distribution out of administrators' hands.

Microsoft App-V - App-V provides centralized management, so admins can limit users' access to certain apps. The latest version, App-V 5.0, reduces disk requirements by allowing IT to turn off local application storage. Plus, it has enhanced application diagnostics and monitoring. App-V has an agent component that pushes applications to the user without Active Directory settings, using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. This application virtualization tool also allows you to break down application suites (such as Office) and deliver the apps without losing any integration functionality.

ThinApp has portability in its pocket, but App-V supports 64-bit and server applications, which ThinApp does not.

Alternatives to the major vendors of application virtualization do exist out there. For instance, Spoon Studio is easy to use and integrates with the company's cloud offering. InstallFree is another choice, but it doesn't offer offline functionality.

Spoon Studio

Spoon used to be called Xenocode and was more widely recognized as an OEM product from Novell called Zenworks Application Virtualization.

The company, now called Spoon Inc., offers the Spoon Studio application virtualization product along with Spoon Server and Spoon.net. Spoon Studio is very easy to use and can integrate with either a physical delivery system (such as USB or Spoon Server) or its cloud offering Spoon.net. It is a very versatile product.

Evalaze

Evalaze is a newer application virtualization tool on the market. It has three editions: a free Private edition, Professional edition and Commercial edition. The free edition is severely limited in features compared to the other two, but it does allow for an unlimited number of virtualized applications.

I wanted to try the Professional edition, but they do not offer a trial link for download. However, they do have a Commercial edition trial, which includes the proverbial kitchen sink of tools for your use, including distribution licenses and technical support. I had some trouble sending a request for the trial, but it looks promising from their marketing. You'll need to judge for yourself if you can get them to answer!

The company also has an application virtualization "service," which takes the application and files that you upload and creates the virtualized package for you. That's kind of cool in today's world of Software as a Service.

InstallFree

This is a tough one. I really like the InstallFree interface, pricing (free or subscription-based) and versatility of this app virtualization tool. However, you must have an Internet connection to use it. It doesn't provide the same offline functionality of VMware ThinApp or others. If having your application available offline is not a deal-breaker for you, this product might be up your alley.

Portable Apps

Portable Apps provides a basic way to create and carry your applications wherever you go on a USB stick or drive. It is really what VMware ThinApp started out to be, but the vendor evolved ThinApp into a very large package with added functionality. Sometimes, you just need an application to be portable, and this product does that very well.

I believe all administrators should have this as a core item in their admin toolbox. Best of all, it's free, requires no registration and never nags you.

Symantec Workspace Streaming

This product is most often used by administrators that want to virtualize as many applications as possible or want to micro-manage their app license tracking. Symantec Workspace Streaming does a great job of virtualizing more applications than VMware ThinApp, but it also requires a client agent and streaming server, which ThinApp does not.

Workspace Streaming also lacks an intuitive user interface and is clouded by Symantec Corp.'s difficult licensing and support. ThinApp is more portable than this product and has more flexibility rather than complexity.

VMware ThinApp truly is a flexible, easy to use and versatile application virtualization tool. Still, some administrators need something closer to Portable Apps or will want to check out lower prices.