Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops features

Please refer to the tables below to learn which features are available with your licenses based on edition. For information on features by key releases, please refer to the  Virtual Apps and Desktops Release Feature Matrix. Details on licensing are available in the Licensing FAQ.

  Virtual Apps Standard
(formerly XenApp Advanced)
 Virtual Apps Advanced
(formerly XenApp Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps Premium 
(formerly XenApp Platinum)
 Virtual Desktops Standard 
(formerly XenDesktop VDI)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Advanced
(formerly XenDesktop Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Premium
(formerly XenDesktop Platinum)
Server-based Virtual Applications (Server-based hosted apps)
Enable secure access to Windows, web, or Linux* apps on any type of device including iOS, Android, Mac and Windows for on-demand access from anywhere. The application performs as if it were installed locally on the device.
*Linux available in Advanced and Premium Editions only		  
Server-based virtual desktops
(Windows and Linux hosted-shared desktops)
Highly-scalable, multi-user virtual desktops that provide the flexibility and mobility benefits of desktop virtualization while maximizing IT control through enhanced security and simplified management.
  
VDI
(Pooled and dedicated)
Desktop operating systems, such as Windows 10, Windows 7, and Linux*, are hosted in the datacenter and securely delivered to users on-demand. These desktops can be made available in a pooled fashion from a common base image or dedicated to users for personalization to meet the needs of advanced users.
*Linux available in Advanced and Premium only
      
Remote PC Access
Provide secure remote access to physical PCs and laptops leveraging the full HDX experience without SSL VPNs or the need to migrate desktops to the datacenter.		        
VM hosted applications
Ease Windows OS transitions and overcome application compatibility challenges by delivering virtual apps from a desktop operating system. With VM-hosted apps, the app can be hosted on individual desktop VMs and published for seamless delivery to users just like a server-hosted virtual app.		    

Enhanced security through centralization and access control

  Virtual Apps Standard
(formerly XenApp Advanced)
 Virtual Apps Advanced
(formerly XenApp Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps Premium 
(formerly XenApp Platinum)
 Virtual Desktops Standard 
(formerly XenDesktop VDI)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Advanced
(formerly XenDesktop Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Premium
(formerly XenDesktop Platinum)
FIPS compliant
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops meets Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 compliance. (Available for 7.15 LTSR)		        
Common Criteria certified
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7.15 LTSR meets Common Criteria Certification.
 * Refer to https://www.commoncriteriaportal.org/products/ for additional info.
        
Credential Guard compliant
This Microsoft security feature introduced in Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows Server 2016, guards against "Pass-the-hash" type attacks and can be utilized with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops workloads.
Strengthened IT security
Protection of all mission-critical data in the datacenter unless it can be audited, controlled and enforced by policy.  Only screen updates, mouse clicks and keystrokes—not data—traverse the remote connection keeping application data safe from hackers and protecting the corporate network from unmanaged devices.
Multi-Factor authentication
Enhances secure access from anywhere through integrated solutions such as RSA SecureID, RADIUS server, and Aladdin SafeWord for Citrix StoreFront via Citrix Gateway (previously NetScaler).
Federated Authentication Service
Integrates with StoreFront and SAML-based identity providers (i.e. Azure AD, Okta, Ping, etc) via Citrix Gateway to deliver secure, single sign-on to apps and desktops while also simplifying account management of contractors, partners and employees who utilize B2B integration.
Smart Card Integration
Saves time for workers who need fast access to information. Support for smart card authentication to hosted applications and desktops as well as passthrough support on Citrix StoreFront via Citrix Gateway (previously NetScaler). Includes such cards as Common Access Cards (CAC) and Personal Identity Verification (PIV).
Accelerated Logon for Smart Card Users 
is key when time is of the essence for healthcare workers who need fast access to patient information. Expedite the user logon process for healthcare workers who depend on Smart Card identification for access to the virtual applications and desktops that provide patient healthcare information.    
App security risk assessment
with AppDNA. Analyze the compatibility of an app to be FIPS compliant, compatible with Windows 10 Credential Guard as well as identifying of other security vulnerabilities.		        
ICA Proxy
Provides secure access to virtual Windows apps and desktops published on Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops while keeping apps, desktops and data safely protected within the datacenter without requiring a VPN.
*Gateway appliance is required separately for on-prem deployments
SmartAccess
Fine-grained context-based policy engine employs smart access policy management to balance the needs of varying use case scenarios by granting or denying individual tasks, such as printing, copy/paste or mapping drives, at a granular scenario-specific level. Provided with Citrix Gateway Universal License included in Premium.    
*Citrix Gateway appliance, priced separately.		        
SSL VPN
Provides secure remote access control from any device to all the corporate resources located on the internal network. Provided with Citrix Gateway Universal License included in Premium.
*Citrix Gateway appliance, priced separately.		        
Session watermarking
Security policy to display a text-based watermark on an app or desktop session to deter and track data theft.
Intelligent session recording
Records the on-screen activity of any user session hosted from a VDA for Server OS or Desktop OS, over any type of connection, subject to corporate policy and regulatory compliance.		        
Citrix Content Collaboration integration
Integrates Citrix Content Collaboration (Previously ShareFile) content with an optimized on-demand experience for file access and collaboration. Administrators control security policies and end user presentation to meet compliance or data sovereignty needs.

Increase employee productivity with high performance anywhere access

  Virtual Apps Standard
(formerly XenApp Advanced)
 Virtual Apps Advanced
(formerly XenApp Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps Premium 
(formerly XenApp Platinum)
 Virtual Desktops Standard 
(formerly XenDesktop VDI)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Advanced
(formerly XenDesktop Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Premium
(formerly XenDesktop Platinum)
HDX™ user experience optimization
Delivers a superior high-definition user experience on any device, over any network. With Citrix HDX, the virtual experience rivals a local PC, even when using multimedia, real-time voice and video collaboration, USB peripherals (like smart cards and drawing/signature tablets) and 3D graphics.
Optimized Skype for Business
 The HDX RealTime Optimization Pack optimizes the delivery of voice, video and telephony features of Skype for Business when hosted on Citrix Virtual Apps or Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. The Optimization Pack maximizes server scalability to minimize TCO and supports advanced features such as H.264 SVC, QoE reporting, and interop with third-party transcoders, bridges, gateways and audio recording systems.
Learn more
    
Optimization for Microsoft Teams
Citrix optimizes the delivery of voice, video and telephony features of Microsoft Teams within a virtualized environment. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops maximizes server scalability by redirecting multi-media capabilities to the client for a high-performance user experience.
Browser content redirection
 Redirects the full contents of a web browser to be rendered on the client for maximum server scalability and optimal user experience.
Unified Communications optimization
Seamlessly integrates solutions from Cisco and Avaya to deliver real time communication applications with “local PC” quality without having to increase bandwidth investments with built-in optimized point to point transfer of voice and video traffic.
HDX 3D Pro™
A set of specialized technologies that enable the delivery of 3D professional graphics applications from Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. HDX 3D Pro works with any hypervisor, cloud, device, or GPU, enabling customers the best possible experience with the flexibility of choice.
Citrix Casting
 Allows users to securely and seamlessly move Citrix virtual app and desktop sessions from a mobile device to any display connected to Citrix Ready workspace hub		        
Workspace Environment Management (WEM)
WEM adds incredible value to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops deployments by optimizing the user experience, accelerating user logins, improving manageability of the user environment, and saving customers money with improved server scalability.
*Feature is exclusively available to customers with active Customer Success Services.		    
Citrix X1 Mouse
A purpose-built wireless Bluetooth mouse for use while connecting to apps and desktops from iOS and Android devices. Enables precise interaction while providing an enhanced mobile experience that can often replace the need to work from a laptop or desktop.
HDX Seamless local apps
Blend a locally installed application on the Windows endpoint into a virtual desktop, providing a seamless user experience.		        
HDX User Experience Templates
HDX policy templates make it easy for admins to fine-tune the user experience based on specific use case requirements such as security and control, graphics performance, and environment scalability.
Superior User Experience for graphic rich Apps
Sharing enables multiple users to share a single GPU without compromising the graphics experience for cost-effective, high-definition performance.  Citrix Hypervisor allows NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel Iris Pro drivers to be loaded directly into the hypervisor to ensure proper management of graphical application performance in a virtual app and desktop scenario.
WAN Optimization
Delivers a superior user experience even over low-bandwidth, high latency connections. Citrix HDX technology can intelligently detect bandwidth capacity and dynamically transform communication on the fly.
Citrix SD-WAN for WAN optimization
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops seamlessly integrates with Citrix SD-WAN to optimize application performance across enterprise WAN. Citrix SD-WAN WANOP Edition VPX-10 virtual appliances are included for branch offices.
*Citrix SD-WAN appliances for datacenter is purchased separately		          
Citrix SD-WAN plug-in
Software-based, network accelerator client that runs on Windows laptops and workstations anywhere offering accelerated app performance from anywhere, not just offices with Citrix SD-WAN appliances.
*Citrix SD-WAN appliances for datacenter is purchased separately		        

Simplify support and enable choice of BYO device

  Virtual Apps Standard
(formerly XenApp Advanced)
 Virtual Apps Advanced
(formerly XenApp Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps Premium 
(formerly XenApp Platinum)
 Virtual Desktops Standard 
(formerly XenDesktop VDI)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Advanced
(formerly XenDesktop Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Premium
(formerly XenDesktop Platinum)
Any device access
Empowers employees to choose the devices that are right for them and their work style with a universal client that works natively on the broadest range of desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones to ensure device investment protection without added work for IT.
Enterprise app store (StoreFront)
Aggregates resources from Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops in one place providing self-service access to Windows applications and desktops and internal web applications through a single portal from all devices.
Self-service password reset
Citrix StoreFront simplifies the set-up and configuration of self-service password reset. An intuitive, web-based, self-service portal allows end users to easily and quickly unlock or reset their domain password.		        
Clientless HTML5 Access
Provides breakthrough performance for access to business applications and desktops from popular browsers, as well as Google Chrome devices. Enhances the graphics experience for both 2D and 3D applications and provides an improved audio-video experience at significantly lower bandwidth.
Universal printing services
Mitigates the administrative burden associated with the management of hundreds or thousands of network and local printer drivers through centralized, universal printing services and further optimizes printing performance across local, mobile, and remote connections.

Reduce cost and complexity of app and desktop management

  Virtual Apps Standard
(formerly XenApp Advanced)
 Virtual Apps Advanced
(formerly XenApp Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps Premium 
(formerly XenApp Platinum)
 Virtual Desktops Standard 
(formerly XenDesktop VDI)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Advanced
(formerly XenDesktop Enterprise)
 Virtual Apps & Desktops Premium
(formerly XenDesktop Platinum)
App and Desktop Probing
Proactively monitors the health of apps and desktops by scheduling automated launches to test overall system or site health.		          
Citrix App Layering
Offers admins the ability to create distinct layers for operating systems, applications, and user personalizations, which are combined at runtime to provide an optimized user experience.  Layered deployments can provide significant cost and management benefits, while giving users a customized desktop experience.
*Feature is exclusively available to customers with active Customer Success Services.
Citrix App Layering with Advanced Configuration
Geared toward larger enterprise organizations, and focuses on management at scale and multi-site needs. It enables the delivery of the same application layer to multiple hypervisor types, multiple clouds, multiple provisioning mechanisms, and multiple broker types—without repackaging layers.
*Feature is exclusively available to customers with active Customer Success Services.		        
Citrix App Layering with User Layers Writable persistent layers for personalization that captures all user settings, user-installed apps, and data.
*Feature is exclusively available to customers with active Customer Success Services.		        
Citrix App Layering with Office 365 User Layers
Accelerates the performance of Outlook 365 in a virtual environment by storing the user’s associated application files in a personalized layer dynamically attached on logon.
*Feature is exclusively available to customers with active Customer Success Services.
Unified Management Console
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Studio dramatically simplifies and automates large scale deployments, including multi-tenant, multi-zone and hybrid-cloud implementations.
Citrix Director
provides a unified view where IT help desk admins can monitor, troubleshoot and assist users with virtual desktops and apps for thousands of users as easily as for one. The same console can be used to assist users with delivered apps and desktops.
Director Historical Reporting and Trend Analysis
Citrix Director gives you historical data retention and trend analysis.
*Standard Edition: 1 week
Advanced Edition: 1 month
Premium Edition: 1 year
 
Director Premium Edition
Provides a comprehensive view of enhanced capacity trends, the ability to create customized reports, SCOM alerts, desktop and server OS usage reporting, proactive notification and alerting including SNMP integration, reboot warnings and Citrix ADM (formerly NetScaler MAS) integration and override control over roaming sessions ensure that IT is in complete control of their delivery solution for optimal performance and availability.		        
End-to-end environment visibility. Management packs that enable comprehensive environment monitoring and visibility all from within the SCOM console. Includes a topology diagram of your infrastructure that is built-out automatically, a health explorer to view component statuses and troubleshoot, SLA dashboards and various alerts and reports. Products and components monitored include Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, StoreFront, and Provisioning Services.
        
Custom delegated administration (Studio) Provides the ability to designate specific administrative tasks to individual users or groups, such as helpdesk staff or support teams. Gives large IT departments the ability to isolate the scope and role of administrative functions for compliance and control.    
Configuration logging (Studio)
Tracks administrative changes made to configure deployments, by whom and at what time they were made to simplify and accelerate troubleshooting and ensure audit compliance.
   
User experience network analysis
Network analysis is provided by Citrix HDX Insight. This advanced feature makes it possible to isolate and manage your HDX network performance.
*Citrix Gateway Advanced or Premium and Citrix ADM required for Citrix HDX Insight
        
Robust high-availability
Ensures that users can connect to resources should the site database link go down. Local Host Cache technology allows users to connect to their applications and desktops in the event that the connection to centralized management is broken.
Application compatibility and migration with AppDNA
Enables enterprises to confidently discover, automate, model and manage applications for faster application deployment, easier application virtualization, predictive application migration and streamlined application management. AppDNA accelerates app migration to the latest Windows releases, reducing the cost and complexity of app upgrades, migrations and updates by as much as 90 percent.		        
Hybrid cloud provisioning
Assures Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops may be deployed on popular Cloud management platforms. Admins can provision apps and desktops workloads to traditional virtual infrastructure including Citrix Hypervisor, Microsoft Hyper-V, Nutanix Acropolis and VMware vSphere in the datacenter and also provision apps and desktops from public, private or hybrid cloud infrastructure making it easy for IT to meet their most demanding SLAs.
Microsoft Azure integration
Azure has been identified as the strategic public cloud vendor for Citrix solutions. Cloud provisioning on Azure enables IT to dynamically provision app and desktop workloads in Microsoft Azure from their on-premises deployment or deploy a new environment entirely within Azure. Also supports Azure Gov and Azure Germany.
Amazon Web Services integration
Hybrid cloud provisioning enables IT to dynamically provision app and desktop workloads from Amazon Web Services.
Oracle Cloud Platform
Hybrid cloud provisioning enables IT to provision app and desktops on Oracle Cloud.
Citrix Provisioning for Citrix Virtual Apps
Centralized image management simplifies deployments of all sizes, physical or virtual, by streaming Windows and Linux OS workloads. This approach reduces shared storage requirements, and simplifies patching and updating machines with fast rollout and rollback functionality.
*Citrix Virtual Apps Advanced is available for VMHosted applications instances running on a desktop operating system only.		    
Citrix Provisioning for virtual desktops
Centralized image management simplifies deployments of all sizes, physical or virtual, by streaming Windows and Linux OS workloads. This approach reduces shared storage requirements, and simplifies patching and updating machines with fast rollout and rollback functionality.
*Physical desktop support not available with the Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition		      
Citrix Machine Creation
 Image management and provisioning control from within the Citrix Studio console for simplified administration, especially beneficial in a public or hybrid cloud deployment. Integrates directly with APIs of public clouds and hypervisors to streamline management.
Microsoft App-V integration
 enables admins to distribute App-V applications to virtual desktops or servers through the Citrix Studio console without requiring a separate App-V server and database infrastructure. App-V applications can also share a common isolation environment for intercommunication		  
Integrated profile management
(User Profile Manager) Intelligently manages user profile settings between active Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops sessions to ensure user settings are consistent.  It intelligently streams profile settings and data on-demand to ensure no matter the profile size, the profile performance is optimized and the user login and logoff processes expedited.
Enterprise scalability
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops has been tested and proven in global enterprise implementations supporting tens of thousands of users.
Hypervisor Agnostic
Permits virtual apps and desktops to be deployed on any hypervisor including Citrix Hypervisor, Microsoft Hyper-V, Nutanix Acropolis and VMware vSphere, cloud management platform, or storage infrastructure to give IT the freedom and flexibility needed to control costs, without impacting the user experience or performance. 
Hyper-V with System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM)
Easily integrate with your existing Hyper-V virtualization solution for provisioning machines and the flexibility to expand or change your infrastructure at any time.
Citrix Hypervisor
 Included with all Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops editions, Citrix Hypervisor vGPU sharing provides the best possible graphics experience when virtualizing 3D applications. Visit the Citrix Hypervisor Feature Matrix for more info.
VMware vSphere integration
 Easily integrate with your existing vSphere virtualization solution for provisioning machines and the flexibility to expand or change your infrastructure at any time.
Nutanix AHV
Integration within Citrix Studio offers built-in virtualization for a turnkey hyperconverged infrastructure solution that simplifies deployment and reduces infrastructure costs.
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) integration
Makes it easy to manage pooled desktop and server images from System Center while leveraging policy enforcement and report processes and tools provided in SCCM.		  
Citrix Connector for System Center Configuration Manager
Provides administrators with an end-to-end solution for managing Citrix Delivery Sites and published applications from within the Configuration Manager Console.		        
Citrix ADC load-balancing
(optional)
Actively monitors services and web traffic to intelligently load balance users across Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops infrastructure to assure optimal uptime and consistent user access even during planned, unplanned, or scheduled maintenance window. Requires Citrix Gateway appliance, sold separately.
The Citrix ITSM Adapter for ServiceNow Providing a single point of integration between Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops to ServiceNow, the ITSM adaptor automates aspects of virtual apps and desktop delivery with out of the box workflows aimed at improving efficiency, compliance and productivity.