What Is Citrix and How Does It Work? – TechTarget.com (2024)

What is Citrix?

Citrix Systems is a U.S.-based cloud computing and virtualization company that produces software designed to provide secure access to applications and content. Citrix offers server, application and desktop virtualization; software as a service (SaaS); and cloud computing and networking products for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.

The company was founded in 1989. In September 2022, Citrix Systems merged with business intelligence and data integration provider Tibco Software.

Although first known for its thin client technology, Citrix's goal is to enable organizations to access their desktops and applications securely and remotely.

What does Citrix do?

Citrix sells virtualization software that enables users to work from remote locations. Access to applications, desktops and resources is enabled through virtualized software. For example, Citrix DaaS uses Microsoft Remote Desktop Services to make Windows applications and desktops available to non-Windows operating systems. Remote Desktop Session Host is also used to enable hosting servers to publish applications and desktops.

Citrix products

Citrix offers the following desktop as a service (DaaS), virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), application delivery and security tools:

DaaS and VDI

• Citrix Analytics for Performance. This tool enables users to track, gather and visualize the key performance indicators of applications and desktops.
• Citrix DaaS. Formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service, DaaS is virtualization software that gives IT control of virtual machines (VMs) and applications, and offers several security features.
• Citrix Hypervisor. This Windows-based client enables users to install, provision and run VMs.

App delivery and security

• Citrix ADC. Formerly NetScaler ADC, this application delivery controller and load-balancing tool offers enhanced security and application performance.
• Citrix Analytics for Security. This tool enables users to create risk scores to identify potential security threats.
• Citrix App Delivery and Security Service. Users can create automatic policy-based configurations. This tool ensures application and application programming interface (API) security is deployable and manageable.
• Citrix Application Delivery Management. This web-based software enables users to manage Citrix deployments and network services.
• Citrix Endpoint Management. This software enables mobile device management and mobile application management for organizations that need to deliver applications, email, network access or other tools to mobile devices.
• Citrix Gateway. This tool is designed to strengthen remote access infrastructure for single sign-on across applications in a data center, cloud or SaaS application.
• Citrix Remote Browser Isolation. Formerly Citrix Secure Browser, this cloud-hosted browser service isolates web browsing to protect networks from in-browser attacks.
• Citrix SD-WAN. This tool is designed to manage virtual, cloud and SaaS applications on a wide area network.
• Citrix Secure Internet Access. This tool enables admins to protect internet access for remote workers.
• Citrix Secure Private Access. This cloud zero-trust network access software enables admins to provide adaptive access to IT-approved applications.
• Citrix Web App and API Protection. This cloud service secures private and public APIs, protects against distributed denial-of-service attacks, and features a web application firewall.

Additional tools

• Citrix Podio. This collaboration database software tool enables users to automate and secure business and document processes.
• Citrix RightSignature. This document-signing software enables users to create, share, sign and return electronic documents.
• Citrix ShareFile. Organizations use ShareFile software to share content and collaborate among co-workers and clients. The tool features secure file sharing, syncing and content collaboration.

Learn more about the changes to Citrix after its merger with Tibco and how the acquisition affected each company.