Introduction
VMware Horizon simplifies and centralizes desktop and application management, enabling organizations to deliver secure and seamless virtual desktops to users across any device. This white paper outlines VMware Horizon’s product editions, pricing models, and licensing details, helping businesses understand options to align with their operational needs.
1. VMware Horizon Product Editions
Horizon 7 Editions
VMware Horizon 7 is offered in three main editions tailored for different needs:
| Edition | Description | Key Components |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon Standard | Entry-level VDI solution for simple desktop delivery | - Virtual Desktops (VDI), - ThinApp for application packaging |
| Horizon Advanced | Cost-effective delivery of desktops & applications | - All Horizon Standard features, - RDSH Hosted Apps, - VMware Mirage |
| Horizon Enterprise | Full-featured solution for automation & management | - All Advanced features, - App Volumes, - User Environment Manager |
Horizon 7 Components by Edition
| Feature | Standard | Advanced | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Virtual Desktops | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Linux Virtual Desktops | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hosted Applications (RDSH) | No | Yes | Yes |
| ThinApp (Application Packaging) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VMware Mirage | No | Yes | Yes |
| App Volumes | No | No | Yes |
| User Environment Manager | No | No | Yes |
| vRealize Operations for Horizon | No | No | Yes |
Horizon for Linux
Horizon for Linux provides virtual desktops optimized for Linux OS environments, supporting low-cost desktop infrastructure and scalability.
2. VMware Horizon Licensing Models
Named User (NU) vs. Concurrent Connection User (CCU)
| Model | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Named User (NU) | Dedicated desktops for users with continuous access throughout the day. |
| Concurrent (CCU) | Shared desktops for environments with shift workers or users who do not require 24/7 access. |
Example Use Case:
- Scenario: 300 workers during the day, 200 at night, no overlap.
- Solution: Purchase 300 CCU licenses instead of 500 NU licenses, saving costs.
Horizon 7 Licensing SKUs
| Product | Description | SKU | Pack Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Standard (CCU) | Virtual desktops, ThinApp, vSphere Desktop | HZ7-STD-10-C | 10 / 100 |
| Horizon Advanced (CCU) | Hosted Apps, Mirage, SAN Advanced for Desktop | HZ7-ADC-10-C | 10 / 100 |
| Horizon Enterprise (CCU) | Full stack: App Volumes, UEM, Analytics | HZ7-ENC-10-C | 10 / 100 |
3. Horizon FLEX
VMware Horizon FLEX addresses offline use cases for contractors, road warriors, and disconnected workers.
Key Features
- Local storage of virtual desktops
- Bundled with Mirage for image management
- Horizon FLEX Clients (Fusion Pro/Player Pro)
Licensing
| Option | SKU | Pack Size |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon FLEX | HZ-FLX-10-C | 10 |
| FLEX Add-On (for Horizon) | HZ-FLX-AD10-C | 10 |
4. VMware Horizon Air (DaaS)
Horizon Air is VMware’s Desktop-as-a-Service solution offering:
- Cloud-Hosted Desktops: Fully managed in VMware’s public cloud
- Hybrid-Mode: Combines on-premises infrastructure with cloud management
Subscription Options
| Type | Specs | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Desktop | 1 vCPU, 2GB RAM, 30GB HD | $35 per desktop |
| Advanced Desktop | 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 60GB HD | $50 per desktop |
| Enterprise Desktop | 4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 120GB HD | $100 per desktop |
| Hosted Apps Server | 8 vCPU, 16GB RAM, 240GB HD | $200 per server |
5. VMware Horizon Add-Ons
vSphere Desktop
- Designed to power Horizon virtual desktops
- Licensed by 100 powered-on VMs
- SKU: VS6-DT100VM-C
vRealize Operations for Horizon
- Provides performance and capacity monitoring for VDI environments.
- Licensed by concurrent user.
- SKU: VR6-VU10-C
Virtual SAN for Desktop
- Provides hyper-converged storage for Horizon virtual desktops.
- Available in Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise editions.
| Edition | Features | SKU |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Virtual SAN for VDI | ST6-VSDT10-C |
| Advanced | Adds all-flash support | ST6-AD-D10-C |
| Enterprise | Includes stretch cluster capability | ST6-EN-D10-C |
6. End-of-Availability Products
Several products have been discontinued, including:
- VMware Workspace Suite
- VMware Identity Manager Advanced
- VMware App Volumes (Standalone)
Customers are entitled to upgrades or replacements under new product lines.
7. Upgrades and Licensing Paths
VMware Horizon allows upgrades across editions and licensing models.
| Upgrade Path | From | To | SKU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Standard to Enterprise | Horizon Standard (CCU) | Horizon Enterprise (CCU) | HZ7-ST-ENC-10-UG-C |
| Horizon Advanced to Enterprise | Horizon Advanced (Named) | Horizon Enterprise (Named) | HZ7-ADN-ENN-10-UG-C |
Conclusion
VMware Horizon simplifies desktop and application management with flexible packaging and licensing models. Organizations can choose from Standard, Advanced, or Enterprise Editions based on their needs, ensuring optimal cost-efficiency and scalability.
By leveraging tools like Horizon FLEX, vSphere Desktop, and Horizon Air, businesses can achieve secure and agile end-user computing while maintaining compliance and operational excellence.