What is VMware Horizon? A comparison with TSplus Remote Access

Overview of Omnissa Horizon and TSplus Remote Access

Omnissa Horizon is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and application delivery platform that enables organizations to centrally manage and deliver virtual desktops and applications. It supports enterprise environments requiring centralized administration, scalable desktop virtualization and flexible deployment options.

Originally developed by VMware, Horizon became part of Broadcom following its acquisition of VMware in November 2023. In 2024, Broadcom's End-User Computing division was acquired by KKR and established as Omnissa, which now develops and supports Horizon.

TSplus Remote Access takes a different approach. Rather than providing a complete VDI platform, it enables organizations to publish Windows applications and deliver remote desktop sessions through a browser or remote desktop client. Designed for straightforward deployment and administration, it offers a practical alternative for businesses that need centralized access to Windows applications and desktops without implementing a full VDI infrastructure .

Key Features: a Comparison

Virtual Desktops and Applications

Omnissa Horizon enables IT teams to provision and manage virtual desktops and deliver applications through centralized infrastructure. TSplus Remote Access focuses on publishing Windows applications and providing remote desktop sessions from Windows hosts. Both solutions give users access to centrally hosted resources, but they rely on different architectures. Horizon is suited to environments requiring full VDI management, while TSplus offers a more straightforward approach when dedicated virtual desktops are unnecessary.

Centralized Management

Omnissa Horizon offers a comprehensive management console that simplifies the administration of virtual desktops and applications. TSplus Remote Access also provides centralized management but is designed with a focus on simplicity and ease of use, making it accessible even to organizations with limited IT resources. The intuitive management interface of TSplus allows non-technical users to manage remote access effectively.

User Experience

Omnissa Horizon provides advanced remote display capabilities through Horizon Blast, including support for graphics-intensive workloads and optimized multimedia experiences. TSplus Remote Access uses RDP-based connections and HTML5 browser access to deliver Windows applications and desktops. While Horizon offers more specialized display optimization for demanding VDI environments, TSplus prioritizes straightforward access to standard business applications with less infrastructure complexity.

Security

Omnissa Horizon provides security capabilities for centrally managed virtual desktops and applications, including authentication controls, encrypted connections and integration with enterprise security infrastructure. TSplus Remote Access supports secure connections and access management for Windows applications and remote desktop sessions, with two-factor authentication available through the appropriate configuration and licensing.

For additional protection, TSplus Advanced Security provides dedicated defenses for Windows servers and remote access environments, including brute-force attack prevention, ransomware protection and access restrictions. Organizations should evaluate authentication, network exposure and security management requirements according to their deployment architecture.

Scalability

Omnissa Horizon supports large-scale virtual desktop environments with centralized provisioning and management capabilities. TSplus Remote Access can also serve growing organizations through multi-server deployments, gateways and load balancing, depending on configuration and edition. However, scalability requirements differ: Horizon is designed for comprehensive VDI management, while TSplus focuses on scaling Windows application publishing and remote desktop access.

Integration with Ecosystems

Omnissa Horizon integrates seamlessly with VMware’s broader ecosystem, including vSphere for virtualization, vSAN for storage and NSX for networking. It also supports hybrid and multi-cloud deployments, making it a versatile option for complex IT environments.

TSplus Remote Access is built around Windows-based application and desktop hosting. Its HTML5 web portal allows users to connect from different operating systems and devices without requiring a dedicated Windows client. Organizations can deploy their Windows hosts on-premises or on compatible cloud infrastructure, giving them flexibility in where applications are hosted while retaining a Windows-based delivery environment.

Benefits: Omnissa Horizon vs. TSplus Remote Access

Remote Work Support

Both Omnissa Horizon and TSplus Remote Access enable employees to access business applications and desktops remotely. Omnissa Horizon is designed for organizations requiring centralized management of virtual desktop environments, while TSplus Remote Access provides a simpler approach to publishing Windows applications and delivering remote desktop sessions. This makes it particularly suitable for businesses that need to enable remote work without deploying a complete VDI platform.

Cost Efficiency

Omnissa Horizon is a feature-rich platform, but it comes with a much higher cost, making it more suitable for organizations with larger IT budgets. In contrast, TSplus Remote Access is designed to be cost-effective, with lower licensing fees and reduced hardware requirements. This affordability makes TSplus an excellent choice for SMBs looking to implement remote access without breaking the bank .

Flexibility and Accessibility

Omnissa Horizon allows access from various devices and locations, providing a flexible solution for businesses with diverse needs. TSplus Remote Access matches this flexibility, offering access through web browsers, mobile devices, and dedicated client applications. The ease of use and broad device compatibility make TSplus a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes.

Use Cases

Enterprise Deployments

Omnissa Horizon is well-suited for large-scale enterprise deployments, offering the robustness and feature set required for complex environments. TSplus Remote Access, while also capable of supporting large deployments, is particularly advantageous for organizations that prefer a simpler, more streamlined solution without sacrificing functionality.

SMBs (Small and Medium-sized Businesses)

Omnissa Horizon offers tailored solutions for smaller organizations, but its complexity and cost can be a barrier. TSplus Remote Access, with its lower cost and ease of use, is an ideal solution for SMBs. It provides the essential features needed for remote access without the overhead of a full VDI solution.

Education Sector

In the education sector, Omnissa Horizon provides virtual labs and remote learning environments. TSplus Remote Access offers similar capabilities but with a focus on ease of deployment and management, making it a great option for educational institutions with limited IT resources.

Healthcare

Healthcare organizations require secure, reliable access to patient records and applications. Omnissa Horizon offers a comprehensive solution for this need, but TSplus Remote Access provides a simpler, more cost-effective alternative that efficiently meets the stringent security requirements of the healthcare industry.

Getting Started

Initial Setup

Setting up Omnissa Horizon requires significant planning and resources, especially for large deployments. TSplus Remote Access, by contrast, is known for its simplicity, allowing organizations to get started quickly with minimal technical expertise. This ease of setup is one of the key advantages of TSplus.

Deployment Options

Both Omnissa Horizon and TSplus Remote Access offer flexible deployment options, including on-premises and cloud-based solutions. However, TSplus’s simpler deployment process makes it an attractive option for organizations that need to quickly adapt to changing circumstances, such as the sudden shift to remote work.

Licensing and Pricing

Omnissa Horizon is available through licensing options designed for virtual desktop and application delivery environments, with costs depending on the selected edition, deployment model and infrastructure requirements. TSplus Remote Access offers perpetual licensing and subscription options, providing businesses with a different cost structure. When comparing total costs, IT teams should consider licensing, hosting infrastructure, deployment effort, ongoing administration and support rather than subscription prices alone.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Implementation Challenges

Implementing Omnissa Horizon can be challenging due to its complexity and the need for specialized IT expertise. TSplus Remote Access, with its streamlined approach, reduces the likelihood of implementation challenges, making it a more accessible solution for businesses without large IT teams.

Performance Optimization

Both platforms offer performance optimization tools, but the simplicity of TSplus Remote Access design often results in fewer performance issues and less complications, particularly in SMB environments. TSplus focus on minimizing configuration requirements means businesses can achieve optimal performance with less effort.

Security Best Practices

Both Omnissa Horizon and TSplus Remote Access offer strong security features. Nonetheless, TSplus offers an ease of implementation means that businesses can more readily apply best practices without needing deep technical knowledge. This user-friendly approach to security is a significant advantage for smaller organizations.

Future Trends and Roadmaps

Trends in Virtualization

Virtualization continues to evolve, with trends like hybrid cloud and zero-trust security becoming increasingly important. Omnissa Horizon is at the forefront of these developments, but TSplus Remote Access is also adapting, focusing on simplifying these trends for its users.

The Omnissa Roadmap vs. the TSplus Roadmap

Omnissa continues to develop Horizon as part of its digital workspace portfolio, with an emphasis on virtual desktop management, user experience and enterprise integrations. TSplus focuses on improving Windows application delivery, remote access administration and deployment simplicity. IT teams should review each vendor's current documentation and release notes when assessing future compatibility and infrastructure requirements.

Conclusion

Omnissa Horizon and TSplus Remote Access address different application delivery requirements. Horizon provides comprehensive virtual desktop infrastructure capabilities for organizations managing complex desktop environments. TSplus Remote Access offers a simpler approach to Windows application publishing and remote desktop access without requiring a full VDI platform.

The right choice depends on whether your organization needs dedicated virtual desktop management or efficient access to centrally hosted Windows applications and desktops