Is managing a geographically dispersed group slowing you down?
The post-COVID remote-friendly atmosphere has made “work from wherever” the brand new regular. Expertise like digital desktop infrastructure (VDI) instruments present safe and centralized entry to workers from any location. Nonetheless, the price of conventional VDI options poses a major hurdle for a lot of organizations.
Till now.
We’ve got compiled an inventory of the perfect free VDI software program options that supply dynamic options, strong safety, and ease of deployment—all with out a hefty price ticket. Whether or not you are a remote-first firm, a BYOD skilled, or a cost-conscious IT head supervising specialised workflows, there’s an answer that matches your wants.
This listing showcases the highest contenders within the free VDI area, highlighting their options, execs and cons, and trustworthy opinions from G2 customers. Let’s dig in!
7 greatest free VDI software program in 2024
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Nerdio Supervisor
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Kasm Workspaces
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Cameyo
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Workspot – Enterprise Desktop Cloud
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10ZiG Supervisor Skinny & Zero Shopper Administration Software program
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Inuvika OVD Enterprise
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Stratodesk NoTouch
How did we choose and consider the perfect free VDI software program?
At G2, we rank software program options utilizing a proprietary algorithm that considers buyer satisfaction and market presence based mostly on genuine consumer opinions. Our market analysis analysts and writers spend weeks testing options towards a number of standards set for a software program class. We offer you unbiased software program evaluations; that is the G2 distinction! We didn’t settle for fee or change hyperlinks for product placements on this listing. Please learn our G2 Analysis Scoring Methodology for extra particulars.
High 7 greatest free VDI software program of 2024
The listing under incorporates actual consumer opinions from the perfect free VDI class web page. It’s necessary to notice that within the context of this listing, distributors providing a free trial are additionally thought-about free. To be included on this class, an answer should:
- Supply a digital desktop that customers can entry remotely wherever and anytime.
- Assist machine portability to allow entry to the desktop from a number of units reminiscent of mobiles, laptops, and tablets
- Guarantee end-to-end safety and regulatory compliance
*This knowledge was pulled from G2 in July 2024. Some opinions might have been edited for readability.
1. Nerdio Supervisor
Nerdio Supervisor empowers IT professionals to simply deploy, handle, and cost-optimize native Microsoft Cloud applied sciences. This platform stands out as a result of it runs in customers’ personal tenants with out compromising safety and compliance. Whereas it’s full of strong options, Nerdio Supervisor is praised essentially the most for its ease of use and effectivity.
The platform provides a free trial to new customers, permitting full entry to its paid options.
Execs of Nerdio Supervisor |
Cons of Nerdio Supervisor |
Highly effective automation options for scheduling and activity administration | The paid model could also be costly in comparison with market costs |
Simple to make use of and intuitive platform | Has a studying curve, particularly for customers unfamiliar with Azure |
Simplifies endpoint safety by Microsoft Intune integrations | The additional interface layer can complicate already advanced processes |
What customers like greatest:
“What I like most about Nerdio is I can shortly spin up a complete AVD occasion in only a few clicks, and Nerdio takes care of the busy give you the results you want. It’s nice for managing it even if you’re an Azure Portal knowledgeable, because it reduces the quantity of menus it’s important to undergo. This additionally allows you to give much less skilled technicians the power to assist with AVD-related points, because the easier interface and approval processes Nerdio has made it straightforward for anybody to get into. They’re additionally including new options on a regular basis that maintain impressing.”
– Nerdio Supervisor Assessment, Zachary H.
What customers dislike:
“Nerdio provides an additional interface layer to an already sophisticated course of that may be annoying to work with at instances. There are some issues that Nerdio can not do this require you to nonetheless undergo Azure to perform, which retains it from being a one-stop AVD store. The aforementioned script library may be each a boon and a detriment. When the scripts fail, they fail in a spectacular vogue, and it may be tough to discern precisely why. We principally use them to put in our RMM instrument after which run different scripts by our RMM for extra reliability. It can be tough at instances to make sense of their restricted KB database when studying easy methods to handle the instrument.”
– Nerdio Supervisor Assessment, Robert C.
2. Kasm Workspaces
Kasm Workspaces is a digital desktop infrastructure, distant utility server, and browser isolation answer that makes use of a contemporary, scalable, and resilient design to offer a web-based distant desktop/utility atmosphere simply. Customers can deploy Kasm Workspaces on a single server in minutes with just one command or in a distributed configuration for scalability and redundancy.
Kasm Workspaces may be deployed on-premise, within the cloud, or in a hybrid configuration. The group version is free for trial, private, and non-profit use.
Execs of Kasm Workspaces |
Cons of Kasm Workspaces |
Gives excessive safety by remoted cloud containers | The free tier may be considerably restrictive in comparison with paid options |
Helps varied working techniques like Home windows, macOS, and Linux | The preliminary setup has a studying curve, particularly with advanced community topologies |
Supplies fast deployment of digital desktops and functions | Regardless of the help for all working techniques, the instrument just isn’t as developed for Home windows |
What customers like greatest:
“The volatility of this platform is a giant benefit! You possibly can have your private desktop all over the place you go so long as you have got a pc with web. It’s also possible to run instruments that you could be not wish to set up instantly in your pc or that aren’t actually appropriate (when you find yourself utilizing macOS, for instance), and the truth that the desktop classes are throwable and momentary makes it actually safe and the perfect working place for a cybersecurity engineer! I particularly like to run Kali Linux on Kasm Workspace as you need not fear about something or have to put in it each time.”
– Kasm Workspaces Assessment, Matisse A.
What customers dislike:
“I would like to see them enhance their library of accessible “Kasms” to incorporate further functions. They’ve achieved a pleasant job in increasing the out there functions throughout the Deluxe Desktop Kasm, however I would like to see further “remoted” functions if possible. I can perceive that this takes time.”
– Kasm Workspaces Assessment, Jim B.
3. Cameyo
Cameyo is a cloud-hosted VDI platform that makes it straightforward for companies to host desktop functions with out worrying in regards to the underlying infrastructure. The platform offers a totally managed digital workspace, which permits organizations to ship Home windows and inside internet functions to any machine.
The free trial provides entry to most paid options, permitting customers to guage the total capabilities of the software program.
Execs of Cameyo |
Cons of Cameyo |
Integrates properly with environments like ChromeOS and Google Workspace | Options like offline entry might require particular configurations |
Safe entry with sturdy safety features, together with zero belief | Doesn’t present entry to a full desktop atmosphere |
Flexibility to run on any cloud platform or on-premises | Purposes might must be restarted after breaks |
What customers like greatest:
“Cameyo has shortly helped us ship Home windows functions to our fleet of Chromebooks utilizing Progressive Internet Utility (PWA) expertise. It integrates properly with Google Workspace and Google Teams for provisioning customers. From the consumer facet, we selected to push icons to each Chromebooks and Home windows desktops, however you can too distribute URLs or configure an utility portal. The help people are fast to reply and versatile, too.”
– Cameyo Assessment, Scott Lawrence L.
What customers dislike:
“There may be slight enter and visible delay. It’s unrealistic to anticipate the expertise to be the identical as sitting at your individual devoted pc, however the delay remains to be there. I’d additionally prefer to see extra utilization info for his or her all-cloud answer.”
– Cameyo Assessment, Jacob A.
4. Workspot – Enterprise Desktop Cloud
Workspot – Enterprise Desktop Cloud is an enterprise VDI platform that helps organizations deploy digital functions and desktops throughout a number of clouds and cloud areas. The platform additionally options world observability capabilities to offer companies with real-time, actionable alerts. Customers also can use built-in end-user surveys to gauge consumer satisfaction.
New customers can check out all of the options of the enterprise desktop cloud answer utilizing the free trial.
Execs of Workspot |
Cons of Workspot |
The cloud-native strategy offers excessive efficiency and scalability | Primarily designed for cloud environments, which isn’t appropriate for all use instances |
Robust emphasis on safety and compliance | Restricted {hardware} specs can be found |
Quick deployment with minimal IT intervention | Assist requires guide logs when connection points come up |
What customers like greatest:
“With a small IT employees, we had been struggling to maintain up with the calls for of finish customers’ day-to-day duties and handle our VDI atmosphere. Workspot has taken the VDI load off our fingers and has made it a easy course of to spin up new customers. This has allowed our division to focus extra and supply higher help with out including employees.”
– Workspot Assessment, Tim J.
What customers dislike:
“There are at the moment some rare graphic errors on the GPU facet utilizing the AMD GPU, however like most newer cloud options, it can get resolved, and its efficiency will enhance with time and adoption.”
– Workspot Assessment, Brian W.
5. 10ZiG Supervisor Skinny & Zero Shopper Administration Software program
10ZiG Supervisor Skinny & Zero Shopper Administration Software program is a world-market chief in VDI endpoint machine software program and {hardware}. IT Directors can simply configure, deploy, and handle giant volumes of VDI endpoints situated in a number of cities the world over – no matter the place that individual admin is situated. A few of its options embody cloud enablement, energy administration, activity scheduling, computerized configuration, distributed firmware versioning, role-based entry, reporting, and shadowing.
The software program is included for free of charge with the acquisition of 10ZiG Skinny/Zero Shopper units. It offers limitless consumer licenses, permitting you to handle your endpoint units with out further costs.
Execs of 10ZiG Supervisor |
Cons of 10ZiG Supervisor |
Consumer-friendly interface and easy setup course of, each on-premise and cloud-based. | Absolutely depending on excessive community energy for optimum efficiency |
Easy set up and minimal configuration wanted | The first focus is on {hardware}, which can require further funding |
Permits straightforward cloud and distant administration | The GUI can profit from fashionable updates |
What customers like greatest:
“We’ve got over 100 of those items, and we could not do enterprise with out some type of administration console. The 10Zig console simply works. Little or no configuration, and we’re up and working. With different merchandise, we fiddle ceaselessly simply to get them to acknowledge. We love these items. They’re straightforward to configure, very secure, and simply work. The most effective function is the power to arrange templates. I can configure 10 items in about an hour, and since our configurations are so sophisticated, it requires touching every one. That’s tremendous quick. Our previous items took about an hour every. Pushing out updates is easy and handy.”
– 10ZiG Supervisor Assessment, Thomas A.
What customers dislike:
“The product is nice, however the guide could possibly be a bit clearer in explaining the administration choices for various consumer sorts.”
– 10ZiG Supervisor Assessment, David G.
6. Inuvika OVD Enterprise
Inuvika OVD Enterprise is a digital workspace platform for companies seeking to ship Home windows and Linux apps in addition to shared desktops. The platform helps cloud, on-premise, and private and non-private cloud deployment. The software program options an easy-to-use internet admin console and integrates with main enterprise options.
There are 3 ways to check out this answer: by the free demo video, free in-house demo platform, and by establishing OVD enterprise by filling out the free trial type.
Execs of Inuvika OVD Enterprise |
Cons of Inuvika OVD Enterprise |
Targeted on utility supply, providing price financial savings in comparison with conventional VDI | Might not present all of the options wanted for full desktop environments |
Broad compatibility with varied working techniques and units | Preliminary setup and configuration might require technical experience |
Robust safety measures to make sure knowledge safety and safe entry | Might require preliminary investments in infrastructure for bigger deployments |
What customers like greatest:
“The most effective factor about OVD is that we will use Linux and Home windows functions facet by facet. We’ve got been utilizing OVD for a few years since they had been a startup firm. Inuvika has been very supportive of the platform, and now we have labored properly collectively all through our time. I can say that it’s a very useful system for our finish customers.”
– Inuvika OVD Enterprise Assessment, Cranstin M.
What customers dislike:
“The one grievance I’ve about OVD is the administration interface can really feel a bit “dated” and far and wide at first. Nonetheless, upon getting change into conversant in it, you shortly neglect about this, and you may deal with streaming your apps to finish customers.”
– Inuvika OVD Enterprise Assessment, Marius V.
7. Stratodesk NoTouch
Stratodesk NoTouch is a number one answer designed for VDI and cloud workspaces. It converts PCs, skinny purchasers, laptops, and different units into safe VDI endpoints, offering a sturdy and streamlined atmosphere for digital desktop deployments. Organizations can use this instrument to maximise their present {hardware} investments and improve the safety and administration of their digital desktop infrastructure.
The 30-day free trial offers entry to check out and create a productive and fashionable digital workspace.
Execs of Stratodesk NoTouch |
Cons of Stratodesk NoTouch |
Appropriate with a variety of units and VDI platforms | Might require some technical experience for optimum deployment and administration |
Will be cost-effective by repurposing present {hardware} | Might have further customization to suit particular necessities |
Incorporates centralized administration capabilities for streamlined administration | Depends on present infrastructure and third-party integrations |
What customers like greatest:
“It’s straightforward to handle, deploy, and replace our endpoints from a central location. The software program is straightforward to configure and offers lots of flexibility when it comes to customization.”
– Stratodesk NoTouch Assessment, Jai P.
What customers dislike:
“The steps to replace units are very cumbersome and tough to handle totally different OS variations. arduous to grasp which variations are good, and making use of the model updates might result in totally different points with the consumer. It could be nice to speak to somebody when needing help, electronic mail solely, and as much as a 3-day reply window does not work when you have got the purchasers in a manufacturing atmosphere.”
– Stratodesk NoTouch Assessment, Patrick W.
Comparability of the perfect free VDI software program
For those who really feel overwhelmed by the wealth of details about free VDI options, this comparability desk will assist you with all of the necessary elements:
Software program identify | G2 score | Free plan | Paid plan |
Nerdio Supervisor | 4.7/5 | Free trial out there | Beginning at $6/consumer/month |
Kasm Workspaces | 4.7/5 | Free group version for restricted customers | Beginning at $5/consumer/month |
Cameyo | 4.8/5 | Free trial out there | Pricing is accessible on request |
Workspot – Enterprise Desktop Cloud | 4.8/5 | Free trial out there | Pricing is accessible on request |
10ZiG Supervisor Skinny & Zero Shopper Administration Software program | 4.7/5 | Free plan out there with 10ZiG units | Pricing is accessible on request |
Inuvika OVD Enterprise | 4.7/5 | Free trial out there with restricted options | Beginning at $9.50/consumer/month |
Stratodesk NoTouch | 4.4/5 | 30-day free trial out there | Pricing is accessible on request |
Regularly requested questions on free VDI software program
Have extra questions? Discover your solutions under!
Q. What are the important thing options to search for in free VDI software program?
When evaluating free VDI software program, contemplate options reminiscent of safety, ease of deployment, compatibility with varied working techniques, consumer administration capabilities, scalability, and out there help sources.
Q. Can free VDI software program help distant work for small to medium-sized companies?
Sure, many free VDI options can help distant work for small to medium-sized companies. Nonetheless, they could have limitations when it comes to scalability, efficiency, and help in comparison with paid variations.
Q. What are a few of the challenges of utilizing free VDI software program?
Free VDI options might face challenges like restricted scalability, fewer options, potential efficiency points, lack of devoted help, and potential compatibility points with present infrastructure.
Q. Are there any hidden prices related to free VDI software program?
Whereas the software program itself could also be free, if the free model does not meet all of your wants, chances are you’ll incur prices for {hardware}, further safety measures, IT employees time, and potential upgrades.
Most productiveness from wherever
Whenever you wish to be sure that your distant workers can entry their desktop, laptop computer, and all the crucial functions, a digital desktop infrastructure is the way in which to go. And with all of those free software program options, you may benefit from this contemporary luxurious in a approach that matches inside your price range.
We hope this listing of the perfect free VDI instruments takes you one step nearer to discovering the correct answer!
Get the perfect id and entry administration (IAM) software program to successfully handle consumer identities and management entry to your VDI sources.
This text was initially revealed in 2020. It has been up to date with new info.