Shells vs V2 Cloud
Shells
shells.com
V2 Cloud
v2cloud.comSide by side
| Figure | Shells | V2 Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $14.95/mo | $35/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 5 |
| Spec score · Desktop as a Service Software | 7.9 (#5) | 7.8 (#7) |
| Spec score · Desktop as a Service (DaaS) Providers | 7.9 (#5) | 7.8 (#7) |
| Spec score · Desk As A Service Software | 7.9 (#5) | 7.8 (#7) |
| Spec score · Cloud PC Services | 7.9 (#13) | 7.8 (#16) |
| Company location | A Shells company announcement identifies Shells as headquartered in Los Angeles, California. | The site footer identifies Quebec, Canada. |
| Product | Shells provides a cloud virtual desktop that can be accessed from any device, including tablets and phones. | V2 Cloud provides dedicated Windows 10 or 11 Pro virtual desktops hosted in the cloud and accessed from users’ devices. |
| Support | The website includes a Support link in its Community & Help section. | The pricing page lists 24/7 expert support as included. |
Plans
V2 Cloud
- Basic Users$35 a month
- Essential Users$40 a month
- Mid Level Users$60 a month
- Heavy Users$110 a month
- Power Users$240 a month
In their own words
Shells
Shells provides a cloud virtual desktop that can be accessed from devices including phones and tablets. Users can choose among multiple Linux distributions and access desktop applications from other device operating systems. Files can be downloaded, stored, opened, and edited across devices through the cloud desktop, and Shells says user data is backed up automatically. The company also states that it uses firewalls and end-to-end encryption. Shells identifies students, coders, workers, and small businesses as audiences, and says users can launch a virtual desktop in less than five minutes. Listed access platforms are web, iOS, and Android; the “Works with” list also names Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Android TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Oculus, and Tesla. Cloud desktop applications can include LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, or another document editor. Shells also describes dedicated virtual desktops for AI assistants with controlled access and persistent memory. A risk-free 7-day offer is advertised. The paid plans listed are Shells Basic at $14.95 a month, Shells Plus at $22.95 a month, and Shells Pro at $39.95 a month.
V2 Cloud
V2 Cloud provides dedicated Windows 10 or 11 Pro virtual desktops hosted in the cloud for access from users’ devices. The maker says Windows VMs can be deployed through a dashboard in under 20 minutes. Connection options include Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and an HTML5 browser client; listed access platforms also include Linux, iOS, Android, and thin clients. Desktops include managed malware protection and daily automated backups, and sync natively with OneDrive and SharePoint. Eligible Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise seats can be applied through BYOL, and Azure AD can be connected for SSO and MFA. Web Connect uses HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate; V2 Client connections for Windows and Mac use SSH tunneling and SSL encryption. The service states that its VM hosting is HIPAA compliant and SOC 2 Type II audited, and includes 24/7 expert support. Pricing is fixed monthly, with unlimited usage and cancellation at any time. There is no free plan; a seven-day trial is available. Listed plans start at $35 a month for Basic Users.