IsardVDI vs ThinLinc
IsardVDI
isardvdi.comThinLinc
cendio.comSide by side
| Figure | IsardVDI | ThinLinc |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $5.50/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 13 |
| Spec score · Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software | 7.4 (#16) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Client platforms | The viewer guide lists Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, and Apple iOS client options. | Client downloads are offered for Windows, Mac, and Linux, while the feature list also includes browser access. |
| Headquarters | Barcelona, Spain | Linköping, Sweden |
| Product | IsardVDI is an open-source virtual desktop infrastructure platform for creating, configuring, and managing virtual desktops and applications across devices. | ThinLinc centrally hosts Linux applications and desktops in a data center or cloud for remote access. |
| Security | The documentation says viewer connections use SSL certificates, including self-signed, Let's Encrypt, or configured commercial certificates. | ThinLinc routes traffic through SSH tunnels and TLS, and sends encrypted pixels to clients. |
Plans
ThinLinc
- FreeFree
- Standard$122 a year
- Premium$168 a year
- Community licenseFree
- FreeFree
- ThinLinc Standard (500+ users)$66 a year
- ThinLinc Premium (500+ users)$91 a year
- ThinLinc Standard (11–49 users)$103 a year
- ThinLinc Standard (1–10 users)$122 a year
- ThinLinc Premium (11–49 users)$142 a year
In their own words
IsardVDI
IsardVDI is free, open-source virtual desktop infrastructure software for creating, configuring, and centrally managing virtual desktops and applications. It supports on-premise, cloud, and hybrid deployment, with hybrid identified as its deployment model. Access is available through browser VNC and RDP viewers, plus SPICE, RDP, and Parsec desktop viewers. Browser viewers run in a modern browser without installing viewer software. Listed clients include Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, and Apple iOS, alongside web, API, and self-hosted use. The platform connects directly with Moodle and lists single sign-on integrations for Moodle, Nextcloud, OnlyOffice, and other applications. Identity technologies include Keycloak, SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect, OpenLDAP, and FreeIPA; documented login methods include local, OAuth, LDAP, and SAML. Installation requires Docker, Docker Compose, and enabled hardware virtualization. The maker offers managed services and technical support, with GitLab issues available for requests.
ThinLinc
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.