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Head-to-head · Desk As A Service Software

Omnissa Horizon vs Parallels DaaS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Omnissa Horizon #2 in Desk As A Service Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request Visit Omnissa
Parallels DaaS #8 in Desk As A Service Software 8.5/10 14-day trial Free trial Visit Parallels

Omnissa Horizon leads on 0 checks, Parallels DaaS on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOmnissa Horizon · 9.2/10
  • Free trialonly Parallels DaaS

Omnissa Horizon scores higher on our rubric for desk as a service software: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Omnissa Horizon is the better fit for enterprises standardizing broad VDI infrastructure. Parallels DaaS is the better fit for cost-conscious teams needing managed pooled desktops.

  • Omnissa Horizon fits best

    Enterprises standardizing broad VDI infrastructure

  • Parallels DaaS fits best

    Cost-conscious teams needing managed pooled desktops

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Side by side

Feature Omnissa Horizon 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Parallels DaaS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.5
Ranking #2 in Desk As A Service Software #8 in Desk As A Service Software
Best for Enterprises standardizing broad VDI infrastructure Cost-conscious teams needing managed pooled desktops
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request $9/user/mo
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Phone, Email, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 18 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Specs
Deployment model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Desktop persistence Not checked yet Non-persistent
Desktop OS Not checked yet Microsoft Windows
Access clients Not checked yet Not checked yet
Identity integrations Not checked yet Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)
Session duration limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports persistent and non-persistent desktop pools.
  • Automates provisioning with instant and full clones.
  • Offers GPU support, REST APIs, and Terraform automation.
  • Autoscaling and scheduling help manage virtual desktop availability.
  • Profile management can retain selected settings across non-persistent sessions.
  • Teams optimization, monitoring, and real-time outage alerts are included.
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales.
  • Customer-managed deployments require infrastructure planning.
  • Horizon 8 and Horizon Cloud are separate platforms.
  • Desktops are non-persistent by default; changes reset at logoff.
  • The named user plan requires an annual subscription and at least 15 users.
  • A customer-managed Microsoft Azure subscription is also required.
Our verdict

Omnissa Horizon provides virtual desktop infrastructure and published application delivery for organizations that need centrally managed desktops and apps. Horizon 8 supports customer-managed deployments across on-premises infrastructure,…

Read the review →

Parallels DaaS delivers cloud-hosted Windows desktops and applications to organizations that need remote workspaces managed through a web portal. Administrators can manage users, images, resources, and sessions; users connect through a…

Read the review →
  1. Omnissa HorizonDesk As A Service Software 9.2Pricing on request
  2. Parallels DaaSDesk As A Service Software 8.514-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Omnissa Horizon — where it wins

    • Supports persistent and non-persistent desktop pools.
    • Automates provisioning with instant and full clones.
    • Offers GPU support, REST APIs, and Terraform automation.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales.
    • Customer-managed deployments require infrastructure planning.
    • Horizon 8 and Horizon Cloud are separate platforms.

  • Parallels DaaS — where it wins

    • Autoscaling and scheduling help manage virtual desktop availability.
    • Profile management can retain selected settings across non-persistent sessions.
    • Teams optimization, monitoring, and real-time outage alerts are included.

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktops are non-persistent by default; changes reset at logoff.
    • The named user plan requires an annual subscription and at least 15 users.
    • A customer-managed Microsoft Azure subscription is also required.
  • Omnissa Horizon9.2/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad VDI platform for centrally managed desktops and published applications.

    Visit OmnissaFull verdict →
  • Parallels DaaS8.5/10 · 14-day trial

    Managed, non-persistent Windows desktops with pool autoscaling and a 15-user minimum.

    Visit ParallelsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All desk as a service software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update