Citrix Workspace vs ThinLinc

Citrix Workspace is client software for secure access to work resources, including virtual apps and desktops delivered from on-premises infrastructure, public clouds, or hypervisor platforms. Users can connect through the installed app or a browser, with clients listed for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, ChromeOS, and HTML5. Citrix describes a unified portal and single sign-on for sanctioned web, SaaS, and client-server apps. Access controls can use context such as role, location, or device to help protect sensitive data. Administrators configure purchased Citrix Cloud services and enable access through Workspace integrations. Citrix also describes monitoring and troubleshooting for hybrid environments. StoreFront Cloud supports several authentication options, and its time-based token can serve as a second factor for Active Directory sign-in; users can enroll one device at a time. Pricing is available on request. The supplied product URL redirects to Citrix’s broader Citrix Platform page.

ThinLinc centrally hosts Linux applications and desktops in a data center or cloud, then makes them available for remote access from Windows, macOS, Linux, or a web browser. Its server feature list includes high availability, fail-over, clustering, load balancing, multiple sessions per user, and single-application publishing. Authentication options include passwords, one-time passwords, public keys, smart cards, and Kerberos tickets. Traffic passes through SSH tunnels and TLS, with encrypted pixels sent to clients. ThinLinc includes TigerVNC, noVNC, OpenSSH, CUPS, and PulseAudio. The maker describes the software as suitable for demanding EDA and CAD workloads, including access from different locations. The server allows three concurrent graphical sessions by default; a separate free license file raises this to ten concurrent users. ThinLinc offers free time-limited evaluation licenses. Its free plan is listed at free, for 10 concurrent users. Standard is $122 a year per user and Premium is $168 a year per user; both are billed in advance for 12 months and cover 1–10 users.