Citrix Licensing: A Quick Guide and A Possible Alternative

Citrix Licensing. It is important to have a good understand of the different Citrix licensing models to find the right fit for your organization. Not choosing the right fight for your business could result in a few problems. This guide aims to provide an overview of the different Citrix licensing models available, as well as to propose an alternative solution by switching to Parallels RAS as your virtualization provider.

Product Lines, Editions, and License Models

A Citrix-based virtual application and desktop solution consist of several components. Aside from Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly XenApp) or Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (formerly XenDesktop)—the main products for this kind of infrastructure—you will also need to purchase add-ons like Citrix ADC, Citrix Gateway, and Citrix SD-WAN before you can build an operational infrastructure.

Each of those products has multiple editions (e.g. Standard, Advanced, or Premium) and license models (e.g. User/Device or Concurrent), with each edition coming with its own set of features. Because you will only be licensed to use the features of your chosen edition—and because the price difference between editions can be substantial—it’s important to go over those features thoroughly before deciding which edition to purchase.

For example, let’s say you initially want the ability to deploy virtual applications. You need to review the various features of the Citrix Virtual Apps Standard, Advanced, and Premium editions. But what if later on, you realize you actually need to deploy VDI virtual desktops as well? You will then have to look further because not even the Premium edition of Virtual Apps supports VDI. You need Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops for that. You need to review the Standard, Advanced, and Premium editions of this product line as well because they too consist of different features.

Citrix Cloud Licensing Explained

There are several cloud service offerings of Citrix, and they are transitioning slowly from a perpetual licensing model to a subscription-based model. Citrix licensing has the following parts:

Product ID: The Id of the product.
License model: The kind of models like User/Device or Concurrent.
Edition: The edition of the product. Can be Advanced, VDI (Virtual Desktops Standard), Enterprise, Platinum, etc.

The available features differ depending on the edition that is chosen. Additionally, the following licensing models are available:

Citrix Virtual Apps is only available for concurrent licenses
Citrix Virtual Desktops is available both in the User/Device and Concurrent license model
Purchasing Virtual Apps as part of Virtual Desktops makes the Virtual Apps license model the same as the Virtual Desktops license. Hence, you can leverage User/Device for Virtual Apps too.

The licensing agreement includes the following:

You can choose between the Current Release version of Virtual Apps or Virtual Desktops (updates occur every three-four months) or the Long-Term Service Release version (updates occur every two to three years).
You must sign a one-year, mandatory contract called the Customer Success Services contract. It is optional to renew after that.
Starting from version 7.14, you can combine license models and product IDs.

An Alternative to Citrix Licensing with Parallels RAS

With the help of the straightforward utility of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS), you may use any device, at any time, over any network, to access resources that are centrally hosted. You may use and download it for free. Resources are delivered via the network securely because it uses SSL and second-level authentication. It supports a variety of platforms and operating systems, including Google Chromebooks, Windows Mobile, Linux, iOS, and Android. All features of Parallels RAS are included in a single edition, with no add-ons. Because of its uncomplicated licensing and infrastructure, Parallels RAS usually requires only one admin.

Trying out Parallels RAS is easy as well. Just grab a free 30-day trial and experience simple virtual application and desktop delivery.

Download the Trial