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SPECIFICTION
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Ravada VDI

ravada.upc.edu

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit ravada.upc.edu
Spec score 7.4 #17 of 25 in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software

What it is

Ravada VDI is a free, open-source broker that lets users connect to virtual desktops. Its web frontend provides machine access and settings for users, while administrators manage virtual-machine pools and templates. The backend currently supports KVM and is designed for additional hypervisors later. Users need a web browser and a remote viewer supporting SPICE. Ravada runs on Linux distributions, with server packages supported for Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora, and Docker installation is also documented. SPICE viewer client guidance covers Linux and Windows, with macOS setup pages. SQL and LDAP authentication are supported, and the production guide includes SPICE-TLS configuration. The project identifies GPU support and identity integration. Ravada is licensed under AGPL and intended for sysadmins deploying on-premise virtual desktops; basic GNU/Linux administration knowledge is advised. Help is directed to documentation, GitHub issues, a Google group, and a public Telegram group rather than a personal support hotline.

Spec sheet

What it does
Ravada is an open-source VDI broker that lets users connect to virtual desktops.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
Deployment
Ravada works on Linux distributions, with packages supported for Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora servers, and it can also be installed with Docker.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.readthedocs.io
Support
The project directs users to documentation, GitHub issues, a Google group, and a public Telegram group, and says its developers are unpaid volunteers rather than a personal support hotline.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
License
Ravada's code is licensed under AGPL.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
Access
Users need a web browser and a remote viewer that supports the SPICE protocol.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
Authentication
The maker says SQL and LDAP authentication are supported.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
Client platforms
The installation documentation describes SPICE viewer clients for Linux and Windows, and the documentation includes client setup pages for macOS.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.readthedocs.io
Hypervisor
The maker says the backend currently supports KVM and is designed to allow future hypervisors to be added.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
Security configuration
The documentation includes a production deployment guide with SPICE-TLS configuration.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.readthedocs.io
Web interface
The web frontend includes user machine access and settings, machine management, and administrator tools for managing VM pools and templates.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
Who it is for
Ravada is intended for sysadmins deploying on-premise virtual desktops, and basic GNU/Linux administration knowledge is advised.Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu

Plans and prices

Free Free Free to use Self-hosted deployment · Linux-based server administration · KVM support currently stated Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu

Every Ravada VDI plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan costs nothing
  • Web interface manages users and VM pools
  • Supports KVM virtualization
  • SQL and LDAP authentication
  • Docker installation is available

Limits

  • Currently supports KVM only
  • Requires a SPICE-compatible remote viewer
  • Basic GNU/Linux administration knowledge is advised
  • Developers are unpaid volunteers, not a hotline

Who it suits

Ravada suits sysadmins deploying private, on-premise virtual desktops with Linux-based servers and KVM. It is aimed at users comfortable with basic GNU/Linux administration.

Verdict

Ravada provides a self-hosted VDI access layer with browser management, KVM support, and SPICE clients across documented platforms. It is best suited to administrators prepared to run and support the infrastructure themselves.

Where Specifiction places it

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