Omnissa (VMware) Horizon Client logo icon

Omnissa (VMware) Horizon Client

Free · Rated 4.7

Virtual desktop client for reaching company desktops and published apps from home.

Free Download for Windows 11, 10Latest version 8.20.0 · 343.52 MB

Installers: 64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86), Offline

Supported OS: Windows 11, Windows 10

Download Details

Version
8.20.0 (latest)
File size
343.52 MB
License
Free
Security scan
VirusTotal: 60 of 60 engines say OK (0 flagged)
SHA-256 checksum
20f67cb7d1878a7a4d35afb19be082d839975b1ca5506da3792dd03fe4174f4e
Developer
LLCOmnissa
Supported OS
Windows 11, Windows 10
Installers
64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86), Offline
Downloads
5457
Rating
4.7 out of 5 · 61 reviews
File name(s)
Omnissa-Horizon-Client-2609-8.20.0-39382986705.exe

Ali Reviewed by
Tested on Windows 11 and 10 · · How we review

Screenshots

Omnissa (VMware) Horizon Client Screenshot

Omnissa Horizon Client is the Windows app that connects your PC to a virtual desktop or a published application hosted on a Horizon server. It used to be called VMware Horizon Client.

It is free, but it needs a server address from your employer, school or IT provider. Without one, there is nothing to open.

If your workplace tells you to use Horizon, install it. If it uses another virtual desktop platform, skip it.

What is Omnissa Horizon Client?

Omnissa Horizon Client is a remote access app that streams a virtual desktop or a published application from a Horizon server to your Windows PC. The VMware Horizon Client name now belongs to the Omnissa brand.

The client is free. The Horizon environment behind it is licensed and run by your organization.

You need a Horizon server before the client does anything

On first launch the client asks for a server address. IT gives you that address, along with your login.

The client works with current Horizon deployments and Horizon Cloud. If your workplace runs a different platform, this is the wrong tool.

Tip: after your first sign-in the server is saved as a shortcut, so later sessions only need a double-click.

Blast Extreme, PCoIP or RDP: how the session reaches your PC

The client supports three display protocols: Blast Extreme, PCoIP and RDP. Which one you get usually depends on how your administrator configured the desktop pool.

Blast Extreme is Omnissa’s own protocol and is built to cope with changing network conditions.

Tip: if the desktop lags on a weak connection, ask IT which protocol your pool uses.

Microsoft Teams calls inside a remote desktop

Omnissa offers media optimization for Microsoft Teams, which moves audio and video processing to your local PC instead of the remote desktop.

Omnissa’s guidance asks for a dual-core 2.4 GHz CPU or better on the client side. The feature also has to be enabled on the server side.

Tip: if call quality is poor, check your PC against that CPU line, then ask IT whether optimization is on.

Printers, USB drives and scanners in a remote session

Peripheral redirection lets local devices appear inside your virtual desktop. Printers and scanners are the usual use cases.

Administrators can restrict redirection. If a USB drive does not show up, a policy is the more likely cause than a client fault.

What a constant connection means for travel and bad Wi-Fi

The client streams a session from the server, so it needs a live connection to work. Do not expect to open a full virtual desktop with no network.

That is a limit of how VDI works, not a flaw in this app. Plan around it if you work from trains or hotels.

VirusTotal came back clean, and the trust question moves to your server

The file on this page is checked with VirusTotal and came back clean. The developer is Omnissa, LLC.

The client only talks to servers you enter. Confirm the address with IT and treat certificate warnings seriously.

When your employer runs Citrix or Azure Virtual Desktop instead

Horizon Client cannot open desktops from other platforms. If your workplace uses Citrix, Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365, install the client for that service.

The same goes for a plain remote PC with no Horizon server involved.

Pros & Cons

What we liked

  • Free client for Windows 11 and 10
  • Blast Extreme, PCoIP and RDP supported
  • Printer and USB redirection in sessions
  • Media optimization for Microsoft Teams

What we didn't like

  • Useless without a Horizon server
  • Sessions need a constant connection
  • Features depend on admin settings

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Conclusion

4.7out of 5 · 61 user ratings

Remote desktop clients are tied to the platform behind them, so the right comparison is by what your workplace runs.

Check the platform name, the price of the client and the devices you need before choosing.

App Best For Price Platform Standout Feature
Omnissa Horizon Client Workplaces running Horizon virtual desktops Free client (Horizon licensed by your organization) Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Blast Extreme protocol with Teams media optimization
Windows App (Microsoft) Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 users Free Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web One app for Microsoft cloud desktops
Citrix Workspace app Companies running Citrix desktops and apps Free client (Citrix licensed by your organization) Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile HDX display technology

Final verdict

Omnissa Horizon Client does one job: it gets you into the desktop your Horizon administrator built. It is free, supports the common protocols and handles printers, USB devices and Teams calls.

Install it when your employer or school asks for it, and ask IT for the server address first.

FAQ

Is Omnissa Horizon Client the same as VMware Horizon Client?

Yes, it is the same client under a new brand. The product moved from VMware to Omnissa.

Can I use Horizon Client without a company or school server?

No, it needs the address of a Horizon server to connect to. The client has no desktop of its own to open.

Does Omnissa Horizon Client work on Windows 11?

Yes, it supports Windows 11 and Windows 10. The main installer is usually 64-bit.

Where do I get the server address to enter?

Your IT team or help desk provides it, usually with your login details. It is not something you can look up publicly.

Do I have to pay to use the client?

The client itself is free. Your organization pays for the Horizon environment behind it.

Why can’t Horizon Client reach my desktop?

Check the server address first, then your internet connection. Some workplaces also require a VPN before the client can connect.

Does the Horizon Client installer ask for a restart?

It can. If the installer asks for a restart, accept it before you launch the client for the first time.

Found a problem with this download? Report an outdated version, broken link, suspicious installer or incorrect information.

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