Is managing a geographically dispersed team slowing you down?
The post-COVID remote-friendly environment has made “work from anywhere” the new normal. Technology like virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) tools provide secure and centralized access to employees from any location. However, the cost of traditional VDI solutions poses a significant hurdle for many organizations.
Until now.
We have compiled a list of the best free VDI software solutions that offer dynamic features, robust security, and ease of deployment—all without a hefty price tag. Whether you're a remote-first company, a BYOD professional, or a cost-conscious IT head supervising specialized workflows, there’s a solution that fits your needs.
This list showcases the top contenders in the free VDI space, highlighting their features, pros and cons, and honest reviews from G2 users. Let’s dig in!
Nerdio Manager
Kasm Workspaces
Cameyo
Workspot - Enterprise Desktop Cloud
10ZiG Manager Thin & Zero Client Management Software
Inuvika OVD Enterprise
Stratodesk NoTouch
At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations; that's the G2 difference! We didn’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements in this list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.
The list below contains real user reviews from the best free VDI category page. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free. To be included in this category, a solution must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in July 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Nerdio Manager empowers IT professionals to easily deploy, manage, and cost-optimize native Microsoft Cloud technologies. This platform stands out because it runs in users’ own tenants without compromising security and compliance. While it is packed with robust features, Nerdio Manager is praised the most for its ease of use and efficiency.
The platform offers a free trial to new users, allowing complete access to its paid features.
Pros of Nerdio Manager |
Cons of Nerdio Manager |
| Powerful automation features for scheduling and task management | The paid version may be expensive compared to market prices |
| Easy to use and intuitive platform | Has a learning curve, especially for users unfamiliar with Azure |
| Simplifies endpoint protection through Microsoft Intune integrations | The extra interface layer can complicate already complex processes |
“What I like most about Nerdio is I can quickly spin up an entire AVD instance in just a few clicks, and Nerdio takes care of the busy work for you. It is great for managing it even if you are an Azure Portal expert, as it reduces the amount of menus you have to go through. This also enables you to give less experienced technicians the ability to help with AVD-related issues, as the simpler interface and approval processes Nerdio has made it easy for anyone to get into. They are also adding new features all the time that keep impressing.”
- Nerdio Manager Review, Zachary H.
“Nerdio adds an extra interface layer to an already complicated process that can be annoying to work with at times. There are some things that Nerdio cannot do that require you to still go through Azure to accomplish, which keeps it from being a one-stop AVD shop. The aforementioned script library can be both a boon and a detriment. When the scripts fail, they fail in a spectacular fashion, and it can be difficult to discern exactly why. We mostly use them to install our RMM tool and then run other scripts through our RMM for more reliability. It can also be difficult at times to make sense of their limited KB database when learning how to manage the tool.”
- Nerdio Manager Review, Robert C.
Kasm Workspaces is a virtual desktop infrastructure, remote application server, and browser isolation solution that uses a modern, scalable, and resilient design to provide a web-based remote desktop/application environment easily. Users can deploy Kasm Workspaces on a single server in minutes with only one command or in a distributed configuration for scalability and redundancy.
Kasm Workspaces can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud, or in a hybrid configuration. The community edition is free for trial, personal, and non-profit use.
Pros of Kasm Workspaces |
Cons of Kasm Workspaces |
| Offers high security through isolated cloud containers | The free tier can be somewhat restrictive compared to paid features |
| Supports various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux | The initial setup has a learning curve, especially with complex network topologies |
| Provides quick deployment of virtual desktops and applications | Despite the support for all operating systems, the tool is not as developed for Windows |
“The volatility of this platform is a big advantage! You can have your personal desktop everywhere you go as long as you have a computer with internet. You can also run tools that you may not want to install directly on your computer or that are not really compatible (when you are using macOS, for example), and the fact that the desktop sessions are throwable and temporary makes it really secure and the best working place for a cybersecurity engineer! I especially love to run Kali Linux on Kasm Workspace as you don't need to worry about anything or have to install it every time.”
- Kasm Workspaces Review, Matisse A.
“I'd love to see them increase their library of available "Kasms" to include additional applications. They have done a nice job in expanding the available applications within the Deluxe Desktop Kasm, but I'd love to see additional "isolated" applications if feasible. I can understand that this takes time.”
- Kasm Workspaces Review, Jim B.
Cameyo is a cloud-hosted VDI platform that makes it easy for businesses to host desktop applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. The platform provides a fully managed digital workspace, which enables organizations to deliver Windows and internal web applications to any device.
The free trial offers access to most paid features, allowing users to evaluate the full capabilities of the software.
Pros of Cameyo |
Cons of Cameyo |
| Integrates well with environments like ChromeOS and Google Workspace | Features like offline access may require specific configurations |
| Secure access with strong security features, including zero trust | Doesn’t provide access to a full desktop environment |
| Flexibility to run on any cloud platform or on-premises | Applications may need to be restarted after breaks |
“Cameyo has quickly helped us deliver Windows applications to our fleet of Chromebooks using Progressive Web Application (PWA) technology. It integrates well with Google Workspace and Google Groups for provisioning users. From the user side, we chose to push icons to both Chromebooks and Windows desktops, but you can also distribute URLs or configure an application portal. The support folks are quick to respond and flexible, too.”
- Cameyo Review, Scott Lawrence L.
“There is slight input and visual delay. It is unrealistic to expect the experience to be the same as sitting at your own dedicated computer, but the delay is still there. I would also like to see more usage information for their all-cloud solution.”
- Cameyo Review, Jacob A.
Workspot - Enterprise Desktop Cloud is an enterprise VDI platform that helps organizations deploy virtual applications and desktops across multiple clouds and cloud regions. The platform also features global observability capabilities to provide businesses with real-time, actionable alerts. Users can also use built-in end-user surveys to gauge user satisfaction.
New users can try out all the features of the enterprise desktop cloud solution using the free trial.
Pros of Workspot |
Cons of Workspot |
| The cloud-native approach provides high performance and scalability | Primarily designed for cloud environments, which isn’t suitable for all use cases |
| Strong emphasis on security and compliance | Limited hardware specifications are available |
| Fast deployment with minimal IT intervention | Support requires manual logs when connection issues arise |
“With a small IT staff, we were struggling to keep up with the demands of end users' day-to-day tasks and manage our VDI environment. Workspot has taken the VDI load off our hands and has made it a simple process to spin up new users. This has allowed our department to focus more and provide better support without adding staff.”
- Workspot Review, Tim J.
“There are currently some infrequent graphic errors on the GPU side using the AMD GPU, but like most newer cloud solutions, it will get resolved, and its performance will improve with time and adoption.”
- Workspot Review, Brian W.
10ZiG Manager Thin & Zero Client Management Software is a world-market leader in VDI endpoint device software and hardware. IT Administrators can easily configure, deploy, and manage large volumes of VDI endpoints located in multiple cities across the world – regardless of where that particular admin is located. Some of its features include cloud enablement, power management, task scheduling, automatic configuration, distributed firmware versioning, role-based access, reporting, and shadowing.
The software is included at no cost with the purchase of 10ZiG Thin/Zero Client devices. It provides unlimited user licenses, allowing you to manage your endpoint devices without additional charges.
Pros of 10ZiG Manager |
Cons of 10ZiG Manager |
| User-friendly interface and simple setup process, both on-premise and cloud-based. | Fully dependent on high network strength for optimal performance |
| Simple installation and minimal configuration needed | The primary focus is on hardware, which may require additional investment |
| Enables easy cloud and remote management | The GUI can benefit from modern updates |
“We have over 100 of these units, and we couldn't do business without some sort of management console. The 10Zig console just works. Very little configuration, and we are up and running. With other products, we fiddle forever just to get them to recognize. We love these units. They are easy to configure, very stable, and just work. The best feature is the ability to set up templates. I can configure 10 units in about an hour, and because our configurations are so complicated, it requires touching each one. That is super fast. Our old units took about an hour each. Pushing out updates is effortless and convenient.”
- 10ZiG Manager Review, Thomas A.
“The product is great, but the manual could be a little clearer in explaining the management options for different client types.”
- 10ZiG Manager Review, David G.
Inuvika OVD Enterprise is a digital workspace platform for businesses looking to deliver Windows and Linux apps as well as shared desktops. The platform supports cloud, on-premise, and public and private cloud deployment. The software features an easy-to-use web admin console and integrates with leading enterprise solutions.
There are three ways to test out this solution: through the free demo video, free in-house demo platform, and by setting up OVD enterprise by filling out the free trial form.
Pros of Inuvika OVD Enterprise |
Cons of Inuvika OVD Enterprise |
| Focused on application delivery, offering cost savings compared to traditional VDI | May not provide all the features needed for full desktop environments |
| Wide compatibility with various operating systems and devices | Initial setup and configuration may require technical expertise |
| Strong security measures to ensure data protection and secure access | May require initial investments in infrastructure for larger deployments |
“The best thing about OVD is that we can use Linux and Windows applications side by side. We have been using OVD for many years since they were a startup company. Inuvika has been very supportive of the platform, and we have worked well together throughout our time. I can say that it is a very functional system for our end users.”
- Inuvika OVD Enterprise Review, Cranstin M.
“The only complaint I have about OVD is the administration interface can feel a little "dated" and all over the place at first. However, once you have become familiar with it, you quickly forget about this, and you can focus on streaming your apps to end users.”
- Inuvika OVD Enterprise Review, Marius V.
Stratodesk NoTouch is a leading solution designed for VDI and cloud workspaces. It converts PCs, thin clients, laptops, and other devices into secure VDI endpoints, providing a robust and streamlined environment for virtual desktop deployments. Organizations can use this tool to maximize their existing hardware investments and enhance the security and management of their virtual desktop infrastructure.
The 30-day free trial provides access to test out and create a productive and modern digital workspace.
Pros of Stratodesk NoTouch |
Cons of Stratodesk NoTouch |
| Compatible with a wide range of devices and VDI platforms | May require some technical expertise for optimal deployment and management |
| Can be cost-effective by repurposing existing hardware | May need additional customization to fit specific requirements |
| Contains centralized management capabilities for streamlined administration | Relies on existing infrastructure and third-party integrations |
“It is easy to manage, deploy, and update our endpoints from a central location. The software is easy to configure and provides a lot of flexibility in terms of customization.”
- Stratodesk NoTouch Review, Jai P.
“The steps to update devices are very cumbersome and difficult to manage different OS versions. hard to understand which versions are good, and applying the version updates could lead to different issues with the client. It would be great to talk to someone when needing assistance, email only, and up to a 3-day reply window doesn't work when you have the clients in a production environment.”
- Stratodesk NoTouch Review, Patrick W.
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free VDI solutions, this comparison table will help you with all the important aspects:
| Software name | G2 rating | Free plan | Paid plan |
| Nerdio Manager | 4.7/5 | Free trial available | Starting at $6/user/month |
| Kasm Workspaces | 4.7/5 | Free community edition for limited users | Starting at $5/user/month |
| Cameyo | 4.8/5 | Free trial available | Pricing is available on request |
| Workspot - Enterprise Desktop Cloud | 4.8/5 | Free trial available | Pricing is available on request |
| 10ZiG Manager Thin & Zero Client Management Software | 4.7/5 | Free plan available with 10ZiG devices | Pricing is available on request |
| Inuvika OVD Enterprise | 4.7/5 | Free trial available with limited features | Starting at $9.50/user/month |
| Stratodesk NoTouch | 4.4/5 | 30-day free trial available | Pricing is available on request |
Have more questions? Find your answers below!
When evaluating free VDI software, consider features such as security, ease of deployment, compatibility with various operating systems, user management capabilities, scalability, and available support resources.
Yes, many free VDI solutions can support remote work for small to medium-sized businesses. However, they may have limitations in terms of scalability, performance, and support compared to paid versions.
Free VDI solutions may face challenges like limited scalability, fewer features, potential performance issues, lack of dedicated support, and possible compatibility issues with existing infrastructure.
While the software itself may be free, if the free version doesn't meet all your needs, you may incur costs for hardware, additional security measures, IT staff time, and potential upgrades.
When you want to ensure that your remote employees can access their desktop, laptop, and all of the necessary applications, a virtual desktop infrastructure is the way to go. And with all of these free software solutions, you can take advantage of this modern luxury in a way that fits within your budget.
We hope this list of the best free VDI tools takes you one step closer to finding the right solution!
Get the best identity and access management (IAM) software to effectively manage user identities and control access to your VDI resources.
This article was originally published in 2020. It has been updated with new information.
There’s something to be said about seeing an idea or a design come to life.
by Mara Calvello
In the ever-evolving computing landscape, virtualization is the technology that transforms...
by Harshita Tewari