Updated Oct 2026. Written for small and mid-sized businesses that run VMware Horizon, now Omnissa Horizon, and want to understand their options before the next renewal.
VMware Horizon has delivered virtual desktops and apps to many offices, clinics and remote teams. Two things have changed since then. Horizon is no longer a VMware by Broadcom product, and the vSphere hosts that most on-premises Horizon environments run on are now licensed by subscription only. If your Horizon renewal or your vSphere renewal is coming up, this guide explains what changed, compares the alternatives we are asked about most, and lays out how a move works.
What changed for VMware Horizon
- Horizon is now sold by Omnissa. On July 1, 2024, KKR completed its purchase of Broadcom’s end-user computing division, which launched as Omnissa, an independent company (Business Wire, July 1, 2024). Horizon and Workspace ONE went with it. Your Horizon licensing and support now come from Omnissa.
- The servers under Horizon may still run VMware vSphere. On-premises Horizon desktops usually run as virtual machines on ESXi hosts. Broadcom sells vSphere by subscription only and ended the sale of perpetual licenses and of support renewals for them (Broadcom, December 11, 2023). So a Horizon environment can face two renewals from two vendors.
- Support dates matter. General support for vSphere 7 ended on October 2, 2025 (Broadcom KB 415405), and vSphere 8 reaches the end of general support on October 11, 2027 (Broadcom KB 459135). If your Horizon desktops sit on vSphere 7 hosts, they are already running on an unsupported hypervisor.
For a deeper look at the licensing side, see VMware perpetual vs subscription licensing explained.
The Horizon alternatives we are asked about most
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft’s desktop and app virtualization service, running in Azure. It can deliver full Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows Server desktops, or individual apps through RemoteApp. Windows 11 and Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session, which lets several users share one virtual machine, is exclusive to AVD, and Microsoft manages the gateway and broker roles that you would run yourself with Remote Desktop Services (Microsoft Learn: What is Azure Virtual Desktop?).
Users need an eligible license, such as Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F3 or Business Premium, or Windows Enterprise E3 or E5, for Windows client desktops (Microsoft Learn: Licensing Azure Virtual Desktop). Many businesses already own one of these through Microsoft 365. You then pay for the Azure virtual machines, storage and networking you use, and autoscale can shut down capacity outside business hours.
Often fits: shared desktops for shift workers or task workers, published line-of-business apps, and teams that want fine control over images and cost.
Windows 365
Windows 365 gives each user their own Cloud PC: a personal Windows 10 or 11 desktop that Microsoft hosts, created automatically when you assign a license. It is licensed per user for a fixed monthly fee, with Business (up to 300 seats) and Enterprise editions (Microsoft Learn: What is Windows 365?).
Often fits: small teams that want predictable per-user costs and simple management, remote staff and contractors, and businesses without in-house Azure skills.
Remote Desktop Services on your own Hyper-V servers
If desktops need to stay on premises, Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) running on Hyper-V hosts can publish desktops and apps from your own servers. It needs RDS Client Access Licenses and more hands-on management of gateway and broker servers than AVD.
Often fits: offices with strict on-premises requirements or poor internet links, and businesses that are already moving their VMware servers to Hyper-V.
Keeping Omnissa Horizon on a different platform
Some businesses keep Horizon but move it off vSphere. Microsoft notes that Omnissa customers can run Horizon Cloud Service on Microsoft Azure (Microsoft Azure: Azure Virtual Desktop). This keeps the Horizon experience your users know, but you still license and support two products.
Horizon alternatives compared
| Azure Virtual Desktop | Windows 365 | RDS on Hyper-V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Microsoft Azure (hybrid options available) | Microsoft-hosted Cloud PCs | Your servers or hosted hardware |
| Desktop type | Pooled multi-session or personal | One personal Cloud PC per user | Shared session desktops and apps |
| How it is paid | Eligible user license plus Azure usage | Fixed monthly fee per user | Windows Server and RDS licenses plus hardware |
| Who manages the brokers and gateways | Microsoft | Microsoft | You or your IT provider |
| Things to weigh | Azure skills, image management, cost monitoring | Less customization, cost for heavy multi-user use | Hardware refresh, patching, more servers to run |
There is no single right answer. Many businesses mix them: Windows 365 for a handful of remote staff, AVD for shared desktops and published apps, and a few applications that stay on premises.
How a Horizon migration works
- Inventory. Users, desktop pools, published apps, golden images, profile and file storage, printers and peripherals, and the vSphere hosts underneath.
- Match users to a model. Personal Cloud PCs, pooled AVD desktops or on-premises sessions, based on how each group works.
- Check licensing. Confirm which users already hold an eligible Microsoft 365 or Windows license and what else is needed.
- Build and pilot. Build the new images and policies, move a pilot group and test their apps, printing and sign-in experience.
- Move in waves. Migrate department by department, with the Horizon pools left in place until each group signs off.
- Retire Horizon and the vSphere hosts. Decommission the old pools, then retire or repurpose the hosts. The server side of the move is covered in our guide to planning a VMware migration to Hyper-V, Azure or hosted hardware in Phoenix.
During the move, keep the ESXi hosts and vCenter patched. BTI’s managed patching and vulnerability management covers ESXi and vCenter during a move.
Why BTI recommends planning the move now
BTI’s advice to small and mid-sized businesses is to plan a move off VMware rather than renew, and for virtual desktops that usually means a Microsoft destination. BTI is a Microsoft Partner, and Azure and Hyper-V are the platforms we deliver most often. Starting well before your renewal date lets you test with real users and move on your schedule.
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VMware Horizon alternatives FAQ
Who sells VMware Horizon now?
Omnissa. KKR completed its purchase of Broadcom’s end-user computing division on July 1, 2024, and the business launched as Omnissa, an independent company.
Does Broadcom’s licensing change affect Horizon?
Indirectly. Horizon itself is now an Omnissa product, but on-premises Horizon desktops usually run on VMware vSphere hosts, which Broadcom sells by subscription only.
What is the difference between Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365?
Azure Virtual Desktop runs in your Azure subscription and supports pooled multi-session desktops and published apps, billed on Azure usage plus an eligible user license. Windows 365 gives each user a personal Cloud PC for a fixed monthly fee per user, with less to manage.
Do we need new licenses for Azure Virtual Desktop?
Possibly not. Microsoft lists Microsoft 365 E3, E5, A3, A5, F3 and Business Premium, Windows Enterprise E3 and E5, Windows Education A3 and A5 and Windows VDA per user as eligible licenses for Windows client desktops. You still pay for the Azure resources you use.
Can virtual desktops stay on premises?
Yes. Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server and Hyper-V can host desktops and apps on your own servers, and Microsoft also offers Azure Virtual Desktop options that run on your own infrastructure.
Sources are linked in each section. Product names, editions and licensing terms change; check current Microsoft and Omnissa terms before you buy.
