Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Shells Comparison Chart

Thinfinity® Workspace 7 is a comprehensive, secure platform that offers a zero-trust approach, enabling secure and contextual access to corporate virtual desktops, virtual applications, internal web apps, SaaS, and files, whether they are on Windows, Linux, or mainframes. It supports various deployment models, including cloud, on-premise, and hybrid settings, and can be deployed on any cloud provider of your choice. With its proprietary reverse gateway technology, Thinfinity® Remote Workspace 7 ensures secure reverse connections over SSL with TLS 1.3 encryption. This robust approach doesn't require client-side installations, firewall modifications, or the opening of inbound ports on your network, thereby enhancing the security infrastructure of your business. The platform ensures all browser-based connections are secured over HTTPS, offering a wide variety of authentication options, from straightforward User/Password to sophisticated Active Directory authentication.

Kasm Workspaces streams your workplace environment directly to your web browser…on any device and from any location. Kasm uses our high-performance streaming and secure isolation technology to provide web-native Desktop as a Service (DaaS), application streaming, and secure/private web browsing. Kasm is not just a service; it is a highly configurable platform with a robust developer API and devops-enabled workflows that can be customized for your use-case, at any scale. Workspaces can be deployed in the cloud (Public or Private), on-premise (Including Air-Gapped Networks or your Homelab), or in a hybrid configuration.

Files.com is a cloud-native Managed File Transfer (MFT) platform that unifies file transfers, sharing, and automation across any cloud, protocol, or partner. It connects 50+ storage systems — including Amazon S3, Azure, Google Drive, SharePoint, Dropbox, and Box — presenting them as a single seamless namespace. Files.com supports SFTP, FTP/FTPS, AS2, HTTPS, WebDAV, and REST APIs, making it compatible with virtually any system or partner. Automated workflows eliminate manual scripts and reduce admin overhead by up to 90%. ​ Enterprise-grade security includes AES-256 encryption, SOC 2 Type II certification, HIPAA/GDPR compliance, full audit trails, SSO (Okta, Azure AD, and more), and 2FA. With a 99.99% uptime history and zero data breaches in 15 years, Files.com is trusted by IT teams in finance, healthcare, and technology. Available via web, desktop (Windows/macOS), mobile (iOS/Android), and on-premises agent (Windows/macOS/Linux).

ManageEngine Endpoint Central gives IT teams a single platform to manage and secure every device across the organization, eliminating the need to juggle multiple point tools. Patch management is automated across Windows, macOS, Linux, and 1000+ third-party applications. Software deployment, OS imaging, and remote desktop capabilities allow administrators to provision, update, and troubleshoot endpoints without physical presence. Security capabilities include vulnerability assessment, application control, device control, browser security, endpoint privilege management, EDR, NGAV protection against malware and zero-day threats, and private access for secure remote connectivity. BitLocker and FileVault encryption management adds data protection across Windows and macOS fleets. Mobile device management extends control to iOS and Android, supporting corporate-owned and BYOD environments. Available on-premises or in the cloud across five editions: Free, Professional, Enterprise, UEM, and Security.

ISL Online is remote desktop and remote support software for IT teams, help desks, managed service providers (MSPs), and enterprises that need secure attended remote support and unattended remote access across distributed environments. It enables technicians to securely access, view, control, troubleshoot, and manage Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices from any location, with or without an end user present. IT teams use ISL Online for remote troubleshooting, help desk support, remote IT management, device access, file transfer, multi-monitor navigation, chat and audio/video communication, session recording and handoff, remote command execution, and persistent unattended access through ISL AlwaysOn. The unattended access agent supports mass deployment and device grouping. ISL Online also supports RDP and SSH tunneling without requiring VPN access or firewall changes, simplifying connectivity across multiple networks and locations. ISL Online offers flexible deployment options for different security, infrastructure, and data residency requirements. Organizations can use cloud remote access (SaaS), self-hosted remote desktop software for on-premises and air-gapped environments, or Managed Private Cloud for dedicated single-tenant deployment and greater data control. Premium Cloud, Self-Hosted, and Managed Private Cloud support unlimited licensed users and managed devices. Mobile apps are included at no additional cost with both Cloud and Server licenses. Security features include AES 256-bit end-to-end encryption with RSA 2048/4096-bit key exchange, two-factor authentication (2FA), single sign-on (SSO), session recording, detailed audit logs, role-based access controls, IP and MAC address restrictions, and blackout mode for sensitive environments. ISL Online is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified and supports GDPR compliance requirements. The platform integrates with ITSM, RMM, PSA, and endpoint management tools including ServiceNow, Freshdesk, Freshservice, Microsoft Intune, Barracuda RMM, Heimdal, Autotask PSA, HaloITSM, SuperOps, PDQ Connect, and Bitrix24. A full API is available for custom workflows and integrations. ISL Online provides scalable remote support, secure remote access, centralized remote management, cross-platform remote control, and flexible deployment without complex network configuration. A free trial is available without a credit card, and the software supports 20 languages.

Compute Engine is Google's infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform for organizations to create and run cloud-based virtual machines. Computing infrastructure in predefined or custom machine sizes to accelerate your cloud transformation. General purpose (E2, N1, N2, N2D) machines provide a good balance of price and performance. Compute optimized (C2) machines offer high-end vCPU performance for compute-intensive workloads. Memory optimized (M2) machines offer the highest memory and are great for in-memory databases. Accelerator optimized (A2) machines are based on the A100 GPU, for very demanding applications. Integrate Compute with other Google Cloud services such as AI/ML and data analytics. Make reservations to help ensure your applications have the capacity they need as they scale. Save money just for running Compute with sustained-use discounts, and achieve greater savings when you use committed-use discounts.

SuperOps is the AI-native unified platform for modern MSPs and internal IT teams. It replaces the typical four-to-six-tool IT operations stack - PSA, RMM, helpdesk, MDM, asset tracking, network monitoring, patch management and IT documentation - with a single, built-as-one platform on a shared data layer. That architectural choice is what makes the rest of the platform work, particularly its agentic AI. Monica AI, SuperOps' intelligence layer, was designed alongside the platform from day one. It triages tickets, surfaces patch and CVE risks, drafts worklogs, suggests knowledge base articles, and increasingly handles fully autonomous workflows for routine work. SuperOps supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS and Android, integrates with the IT and MSP ecosystem (Slack, Teams, Azure AD, Okta, QuickBooks, Xero, Bitdefender, SentinelOne and more), and bundles Splashtop and ISL Online remote access free. Transparent pricing, fast deployment, founder-led product investment.

Google Cloud is a cloud-based service that allows you to create anything from simple websites to complex applications for businesses of all sizes. New customers get $300 in free credits to run, test, and deploy workloads. All customers can use 25+ products for free, up to monthly usage limits. Use Google's core infrastructure, data analytics & machine learning. Secure and fully featured for all enterprises. Tap into big data to find answers faster and build better products. Grow from prototype to production to planet-scale, without having to think about capacity, reliability or performance. From virtual machines with proven price/performance advantages to a fully managed app development platform. Scalable, resilient, high performance object storage and databases for your applications. State-of-the-art software-defined networking products on Google’s private fiber network. Fully managed data warehousing, batch and stream processing, data exploration, Hadoop/Spark, and messaging.

Built through collaboration with global banks, HERE Enterprise Browser provides enterprise security, workforce productivity and seamless integration of enterprise AI. HERE’s Chromium-based, zero-trust security model includes integration with Microsoft Entra and other IDPs, app access controls, data loss prevention controls, executable protection and auditability for compliance. HERE supercharges productivity through app interoperability and Supertabs that combine multiple tabs into persona or task-based dashboards. It provides federated enterprise search to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce and other platforms. HERE also has its own Notification Center and an AI Center that enables integration of enterprise AI models into end user workflows. The company is backed by major banks and IQT, the not-for-profit strategic investor that accelerates the introduction of groundbreaking technologies to enhance the national security of America and its allies.

Shift is a fully customizable browser where you can drag and drop apps, bars, and controls to create a central hub that adapts to however you work. Integrate 1,500+ apps, swap instantly between Spaces for work, side hustles or personal browsing, and stay logged into multiple accounts at once. Shift is also proudly pioneering carbon-neutral browsing as part of its promise to reimagine what browsers can do—not only for users, but for the planet. Founded in 2016 in Victoria, British Columbia, Shift is a Certified B Corp within the Redbrick portfolio. Key capabilities & features: - Build your browser: Create a custom layout for how you use the internet. - Create Spaces: Create separation between work, side hustles, and passion projects. - Integrate Apps: Add web apps to Shift to customize its capability. - Templates: Choose from 6 different layouts to build on. - Shift AI: A built-in AI assistant to help you work smarter across every tab and app