Citrix Adds macOS Support to Desktop-as-a-Service Offering
Citrix has revealed a major update to the Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) suite: support for macOS desktop sessions on any device.
Yesterday’s introduction of Citrix VDA for macOS enables access to Macs hosted on virtualization platforms such as MacStadium and Amazon’s EC2 Mac instances.
By supporting macOS, Citrix hopes to appeal to media workers and software developers who rely on Apple’s operating system, freeing them from the need to invest in physical Mac hardware.
Citrix Adds VDA for macOS
Developers using Xcode to write apps for iOS, macOS, and visionOS can access Apple software without the associated high expenditures for the latest hardware. At the same time, developers in the design, illustration, and video industries can use Mac-specific applications via the virtual desktop.
Accessing macOS through Citrix virtualization supports a wider spectrum of devices, allowing businesses to explore lower-cost hardware options.
Citrix VDA for macOS also includes SSO, USB device redirection, HDX screen sharing, and webcam redirection, making it easier for hybrid workers to connect.
But despite listening to customer feedback and offering new macOS access, Citrix has not been without criticism. Many have expressed frustration over limited contractual flexibility, rigid terms, and challenges in negotiating volume changes.
Citrix has also recently bundled its products into two categories, leaving some customers with access to tools they don’t need, undermining the perceived benefits of “pay as you go.”
Regardless, Citrix’s macOS expansion marks a significant step in its product portfolio, addressing the needs of a broad range of users. It also serves as a necessary upgrade for the platform, which faces stiff competition from the likes of AWS, Microsoft, Parallels, and VMware spinout Omnissa.