Horizon 8 vs VMware Fusion Pro comparison

Omnissa and Broadcom are both solutions in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category. Omnissa is ranked #4 with an average rating of 7.9, while Broadcom is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.8. Omnissa holds a 6.8% mindshare in VD, compared to Broadcom’s 8.6% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Omnissa users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

Horizon 8

Read 116 Horizon 8 reviews

6,735 Views
6,533 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

VMware Fusion Pro

Read 9 VMware Fusion Pro reviews

8,227 Views
8,227 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Horizon 8

VMware Fusion Pro

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

VMware Fusion Pro and Horizon 8 are competing products in the virtualization space. While VMware Fusion Pro is favored for its simplicity and affordability, Horizon 8 stands out with its robust features, offering a comprehensive solution despite a higher price tag.

Features: VMware Fusion Pro is valued for its seamless integration with macOS, easy use, and capability to run Windows applications smoothly on Apple devices. Horizon 8 is admired for its powerful virtual desktop infrastructure capabilities, advanced management features, and support for large-scale enterprise environments.

Room for Improvement: VMware Fusion Pro could enhance its enterprise-level capabilities, improve scalability, and add more advanced management features. Horizon 8 might refine its user interface design, streamline setup complex scenarios, and consider pricing options to appeal to smaller businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: VMware Fusion Pro offers a straightforward deployment, appealing to individual users and small teams. Customer support is accessible and satisfactory. Horizon 8 handles more complex deployment scenarios, catering to large enterprises seeking extensive scalability with robust support infrastructure.

Pricing and ROI: VMware Fusion Pro is priced affordably, presenting a lower initial setup cost, making it attractive for users with tight budgets. Horizon 8 involves a higher setup cost but delivers substantial ROI through its extensive features and scalability, validating its investment for larger organizations seeking complex solutions.

To learn more, read our detailed Horizon 8 vs. VMware Fusion Pro Report (Updated: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Horizon 8 vs. VMware Fusion Pro

April 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Horizon 8

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

4th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

116

Ranking in other categories

User Virtualization (1st)

VMware Fusion Pro

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

3rd

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category, the mindshare of Horizon 8 is 6.8%, down from 7.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of VMware Fusion Pro is 8.6%, down from 25.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
VMware Fusion Pro	8.6%
Horizon 8	6.8%
Other	84.6%

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Featured Reviews

Michael Baars

Owner at CoBSS

Experience with remote access facilitates seamless user management, though improvements in integration and analytics are desired

From the analytical aspects, we used Horizon 8 Advanced Analytics and most companies switched to another product to gain insights because the insight is not as helpful as other products that are built for it. What was missing in Horizon 8 to make it a better tool was in analytics, specifically getting the right information and the drill-down process to find out where the problem is. If a user has an issue, it is crucial to determine what the issue is that the user is having and since when they have the issue. For example, if a user reports back that they had an issue yesterday evening, getting that information and ensuring that you have it was hard to find, especially to pinpoint if the issue lies with the network or the Horizon 8 platform. We utilized the multi-factor authentication, conditional access in Horizon 8, but we are not satisfied with that. It lacks some integration options that make it easy to run with Microsoft Entra, for example, and authenticate using your regular authenticator besides just getting a pop-up that says, 'I'm the one that's trying to log on.' Nowadays, there are many more complex authentication methods, but even a basic confirmation with a number to verify that you are the person connecting is not supported. I would like to see improvements in Horizon 8, specifically integration with NVIDIA for graphical performance upgrades because it creates many issues such as crashing and black screen systems, causing users to lose access to their current desktop and work. This is a real issue at the moment for many customers worldwide.

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Bruce Lundberg

Linux HPC Systems Administrator at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Create custom virtual environments quickly with minor macOS integration issues

The primary advantage of VMware Fusion Pro is its simplicity in creating custom virtual machines. It allows quick construction and provides connectivity to full VMware server systems, enabling remote management. It facilitates downloading images from main VMware servers for local testing. The ability to construct a virtual environment on my laptop meets my needs, even ones I wasn't aware of.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Instant Clone instantly creates another VM with a Delta disk, which is just the VMware backend, and this helps with scalability and management."

"Horizon View provides virtual desktops on demand."

"It has improved our business because now we can run applications and it's easier for our students to do their exams."

"Based on my background with Citrix, I have found that Horizon is often a more straightforward solution in many cases."

"The initial setup is very simple."

"Ability to log in from anywhere and from a variety of devices."

"The solution is secure."

"VMware's technical support is good."

More Horizon 8 pros

"The product is easy to use and has a simple user interface."

"It is a highly stable solution."

"The whole point of it is to run Windows VMs on a Mac. This is the most valuable feature. There is snapshotting, but we don't really use that. The Pro version allows me to actually attach to the Windows ESXi infrastructure at the backend, and I'm able to create a session that I can attach to the VMware hooks at the backend, so one is running a VM, and the whole operating system is running on the actual Mac. The other one is literally a frontend to the VMs that are running in the infrastructure at the backend. These are the two main features I use."

"The most important feature of VMware Fusion is that it helps me rapidly launch a new OS."

"The primary advantage of VMware Fusion Pro is its simplicity in creating custom virtual machines."

"VMware Fusion Pro offers simplicity of use and stability."

"My advice right now would be to download it for free and use that instead of a VirtualBox or some of the other free stuff because it is more flexible than other solutions."

"Veeam Backup and Replication is the common product for backing up virtual machines."

More VMware Fusion Pro pros

Cons

"One thing is I'd like to be able to see I/O acceleration within VMware instead of having to use a third party, like VMTurbo."

"The initial setup may be a little difficult for those with no experience."

"The initial startup costs for this solution are relatively high."

"VMware Horizon View has worked a lot to improve the solutions. There are some issues in the delivery of the applications, such as network problems. You can lose your connection at times."

"There is room for improvement in the integration with other parts of the suite. For example, you currently need separate windows to manage app volumes and the dynamic environment manager (DEM)."

"The vendor must move the infrastructure into the public cloud."

"The remote application features have some room for improvement."

"Horizon View's pricing is high."

More Horizon 8 cons

"VMware Fusion's licensing cost needs improvement."

"I would like to see newer and updated cloud functions."

"Additionally, enhancing the API interactions could improve the ability to manage VS and deploy various kinds of guests."

"The way they handle snapshotting can be improved. One time, I moved a machine from one to another, and I tried to pull it up on the second machine, but it didn't work. This was because I had not cleaned up the snapshot before I deleted it and moved it across. So, when I tried to pull it up, it wouldn't let me bring it up. The backups for the VMs themselves can also be improved. I pretty much have to rely on Windows backups and not something on VMware. That's where it needs improvement. I am able to upload from my Fusion into the ESXi easily. I'm able to spin something up on Fusion and push it into the big arena, but the reverse is not as easy, that is, trying to pull something down from that. I would love to have a functionality where I could pull something from the VMware infrastructure into Fusion, but I'm not sure if I can take something from ESXi and pull it into Fusion."

"Its installation process could be simpler."

"The only issue I've experienced with VMware Fusion Pro is that it doesn't register correctly with the main macOS system, causing repeated notifications about background installations. This is a minor inconvenience."

"The only issue I've experienced with VMware Fusion Pro is that it doesn't register correctly with the main macOS system, causing repeated notifications about background installations."

"Fusion is not meant to be scalable. It runs on desktops and laptops, indicating limitations in scalability."

More VMware Fusion Pro cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We pay for the solution annually at a cost of approximately 10,000 HKD."

"Customers pay a licensing fee."

"The pricing depends on the use cases. It depends on the company's needs and budget. For us, it was okay, not too expensive."

"The solution's pricing depends on certain factors. It would be best if you know which components you are looking for, as you may have other hardware costs. It is recommended if users want to use the VMware HPE as the hypervisor."

"The pricing is quite reasonable."

"The solution can be costly for customers who do not run mission-critical applications or who have less than 50 users."

"The pricing could be improved."

"VMware Horizon is expensive and I would rate it an eight out of ten."

More Horizon 8 pricing and cost advice

"I rate the product's pricing a seven or eight. It is highly-priced."

"Starting with version 12, it is now free on a Mac for personal use. Fusion Pro has a cost."

"The cost varies depending on the season and whether it is scaled up or scaled down, but I would guess that it's approximately $1,000 per month."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

16%

University

12%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	61
Midsize Enterprise	23
Large Enterprise	44

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	2
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

How does VMware Workspace One compare with VMware Horizon 7?

VMware Workspace One has a powerful set of helpful features. The solution offers very good documentation, the initial setup is easy, and the product is very stable and reliable. I think the fact th...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware Horizon 7?

We paid a lot of money for software that is not really fully operational out of the box. We had to have patches from VMware to get it into production. Hence, we lost a lot of time implementing the ...

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What needs improvement with VMware Horizon 7?

The solution should provide easy configuration.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware Fusion?

The pricing of VMware Fusion Pro is reasonable. The licensing covers all minor version updates, while major updates require payment every three years. Buying it once can sustain you for years witho...

See all answers

What needs improvement with VMware Fusion?

In future updates of VMware Fusion Pro, I think there should be another community to input features. It is an infrastructure tool that may need embedding some AI to help or catching up with the new...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for VMware Fusion?

My specialty is about IBM AS/400 applications, so I got to be in contact with several packages, including LX, which is why I had this research on your website.I'm mostly interested in ERP packages;...

See all answers

Comparisons

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Horizon 8

Compared 12% of the time

VMware Workstation vs Horizon 8

Compared 11% of the time

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Horizon 8

Compared 10% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Horizon 8

Compared 9% of the time

Rocket Exceed TurboX vs Horizon 8

Compared 4% of the time

More Horizon 8 Competitors

VMware Workstation vs VMware Fusion Pro

Compared 56% of the time

Parallels Desktop vs VMware Fusion Pro

Compared 22% of the time

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs VMware Fusion Pro

Compared 7% of the time

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs VMware Fusion Pro

Compared 4% of the time

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) vs VMware Fusion Pro

Compared 2% of the time

More VMware Fusion Pro Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Horizon 8

May 2026

Download Horizon 8 product report

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

April 2026

Download VMware Fusion Pro product report

Also Known As

VMware Horizon, VMware Horizon View, Mware Dynamic Environment Manager

No data available

Overview

Horizon 8 offers centralized management and robust security with ease of deployment and scalability. It provides virtualization and remote access to devices across platforms, ensuring improved performance and reliable remote desktop experiences.

Horizon 8 integrates instant clone technology, a security gateway, and supports USB redirection while minimizing bandwidth consumption for efficient resource utilization. Featuring a powerful administrative console, it simplifies backend control with a user-friendly interface. While effective, it can improve in areas like audio redirection, app volume configuration, and Azure integration. Enhanced connectivity, performance, and monitoring capabilities could elevate user experience alongside clearer licensing terms.

What are Horizon 8's key features?

Centralized Management: Simplifies control with a unified administrative console.
Robust Security: Ensures data protection with a comprehensive security gateway.
Scalability: Adapts to growing demand effectively.
Instant Clone Technology: Facilitates quick desktop deployment and updates.
USB Redirection: Enables seamless peripheral integration.

What benefits should users seek in Horizon 8 reviews?

Resource Efficiency: Reduces bandwidth and optimizes resource usage.
High Performance: Delivers fast and reliable remote desktop experiences.
Ease of Deployment: Streamlines setup processes.
Integration Across Platforms: Supports diverse device ecosystems smoothly.

Horizon 8 is widely implemented in industries like education, healthcare, and finance where it enhances remote work by securing virtual desktops and applications. It supports virtual desktop infrastructure enabling secure connection to internal resources, data center consolidation, and application delivery meeting specific industry needs.

Omnissa

VMware Fusion Pro allows Mac users to run Windows virtual machines, leveraging its interface with Windows ESXi infrastructure. The platform is user-friendly, enabling efficient OS launches and providing snapshot and cloning capabilities for a stable experience.

VMware Fusion Pro empowers Mac users with robust virtualization capabilities, including the ability to run Windows VMs and interface seamlessly with Windows ESXi infrastructure. The platform is noted for its rapid custom VM construction and remote management through full VMware server systems. Despite its advantages, users indicate areas for improvement, particularly in snapshotting, backup processes, and resource demands. Compatibility with operating systems and integration with macOS are additional concerns, with enhancements in security, cloud functionality, and API interface desired. Installation complexity and command-line interface improvements are also highlighted by users.

What are the key features of VMware Fusion Pro?

Windows VM Support: Runs Windows virtual machines on Mac efficiently.
ESXi Infrastructure: Interfaces with Windows ESXi for seamless operations.
Snapshot & Cloning: Allows creating backups and clones of virtual machines easily.
Custom VM Construction: Enables rapid development of custom VMs tailored to needs.
Network Simulations: Supports network setup simulations for testing and development.
Remote Management: Connects to full VMware server systems for comprehensive management.

What benefits or ROI can users expect from VMware Fusion Pro?

Cost-Efficiency: Reduces infrastructure costs through effective virtualization.
Stability: Offers a stable platform for running various operating systems.
Versatility: Accommodates different networking and testing configurations.
Resource Efficiency: Optimizes existing computing resources for performance improvements.
User Experience: Provides a user-friendly interface for easy navigation and management.

VMware Fusion Pro is widely implemented for running Windows on Mac, managing networking servers, and testing on Apple laptops. It is used by developers and system administrators for creating virtual environments, while users in industries such as networking and software development utilize it for building test machines, evaluating software, and managing ERP packages on IBM AS/400 systems. The solution is preferred for virtualization tasks in sectors requiring robust, reliable tools that support both Mac and Windows environments seamlessly, supporting script writing and general virtual machine management.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

LCMC Health

NetApp

Buyer's Guide

Horizon 8 vs. VMware Fusion Pro

April 2026

Free Report: Horizon 8 vs. VMware Fusion Pro

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