Kasm Workspaces vs Ravada VDI
Kasm Workspaces
kasm.comRavada VDI
ravada.upc.eduSide by side
| Figure | Kasm Workspaces | Ravada VDI |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $10/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 1 |
| Spec score · Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software | 9.1 (#3) | 7.4 (#17) |
| Authentication | Kasm's security documentation lists LDAP, SAML, and OIDC as supported authentication providers. | The maker says SQL and LDAP authentication are supported. |
| Deployment | Kasm says it can run on-premises, in disconnected or air-gapped environments, across multiple clouds, or in hybrid architectures. | Ravada works on Linux distributions, with packages supported for Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora servers, and it can also be installed with Docker. |
| Support | Enterprise support options include direct access to technical support engineers, defined response-time SLAs, deployment and upgrade guidance, and architecture and scaling advice. | 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. |
| What it does | Kasm streams isolated browsers, applications and desktop environments to users through a web browser. | Ravada is an open-source VDI broker that lets users connect to virtual desktops. |
Plans
Kasm Workspaces
- CommunityFree
- Community EditionFree
- Starter$10 a month
- Starter — Named UserPriced on request
- Starter — Concurrent SessionPriced on request
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Kasm Workspaces
Kasm Workspaces provides virtual desktops, browser isolation, and application streaming through a workspace platform. It supports containerized sessions and virtual-machine workspaces, accessible through modern browsers without plugins, agents, or client installs. Deployment can be on-premises, in disconnected or air-gapped environments, across multiple clouds, or in hybrid architectures. Listed connectivity includes KasmVNC, VNC, SSH, and RDP. Administrators can apply group policies, role-based access controls, data-loss-prevention restrictions, and session controls. LDAP, SAML, and OIDC are supported authentication providers, and Kasm describes integrations with identity providers, security tools, infrastructure, operational workflows, and existing VDI, PAM, IAM, SIEM, and DLP initiatives. Kasm states SOC 2 Type II and CMMC Level 2 certifications, while noting that customer compliance depends on implementation and maintenance. Community is free for five concurrent sessions with no commercial use. Starter named-user licensing is priced on request; concurrent-session licensing is priced on request.
Ravada VDI
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.