Mac Virtual and Remote Desktops
Mac VDI doesn't have to be complicated
Providing Mac desktops to distributed teams used to mean shipping hardware around the world, wrestling with device management, and accepting security tradeoffs. That’s no longer the case. MacStadium hosts real Apple hardware in secure, global data centers and enables multiple remote access and VDI strategies on top of it. You choose the level of performance, control, and integration you need.
Choose a MacStadium VDI solution
Not every organization needs the same level of VDI sophistication. MacStadium can support these proven approaches, from full enterprise VDI to simple remote Mac access.
Best for:
Large enterprises (50-500+ users) and existing Citrix customers dealing with regulated environments, global teams, and high-security requirements.
What you get:
High-performance Mac virtual desktops delivered via Citrix
Centralized data—no local storage on endpoint devices
SSO and MFA integration
Run on Macs anywhere (MacStadium, on-prem, AWS)
Preferred solution by current Citrix customers
Requires Citrix licensing
Talk to our team to design the right Citrix-based Mac VDI architecture.
Best for:
Small teams that want flexibility and already have a preferred remote access tool.
What you get:
Dedicated, hosted Mac hardware
Freedom to choose your own remote desktop software
Fast path to getting started
MacStadium does not manage the VDI software layer
Performance and security depend on your chosen agent
Ideal for small, technical teams who want to self-manage
Create a MacStadium portal account and select your Mac hardware. Read through our docs for VDI insights and tips.
VDI that meets the needs of your end-users
Mac VDI isn’t one-size-fits-all. Most organizations come to MacStadium with a specific workload in mind. These are the most common scenarios we see—and which solution typically fits best.
Recommended solution: Citrix for Mac
For globally distributed development teams, especially offshore contractors or partners, Citrix delivers the best balance of performance, security, and control.
Citrix and MacStadium teams have tested Mac VDI performance extensively and consistently see extremely low latency—even when users are located far from the data center. Combined with Citrix security controls, this makes it ideal for situations where source code and IP must remain protected.
Proven low-latency experience over long distances
No source code stored on local endpoints
Strong access controls, SSO, and MFA
Easy onboarding and offboarding for contractors
Recommended solution: MacStadium Bare Metal Mac + HP Anyware
Creative and media workflows often prioritize image fidelity, color accuracy, and smooth rendering over raw latency. HP Anyware is well known for excelling in these areas, making it a strong choice for graphics-heavy Mac workloads.
This solution is commonly used by design, video, and creative teams that need powerful Macs but don’t want those systems sitting under desks.
High-quality rendering and color accuracy
Consistent experience for graphics and video workflows
Centralized Macs hosted securely in a data center
High-performance Mac Studios and Mac minis available
Recommended solution: Orka
Your mobile app development team needs Mac to develop and publish the mobile app. Dedicated development Macs can run CI pipelines, automated tests, or specialized build jobs—without tying up local developer machines.
Orka is a virtualization and orchestration platform that can run on MacStadium or anywhere you have Mac hardware, including on-prem or AWS.
Ephemeral build environments for reliable build & test sequences
Low maintenance, fleet of Mac development resources
Scalable to meet the needs of even the most complex pipelines
Recommended solution: MacStadium Bare Metal Mac + BYO VDI
Macs are necessary for certain projects and workflows, but that doesn’t mean every team member needs one as a daily workstation. Give them remote access to a hosted Mac, as needed.
MacStadium offers a wide variety of bare metal Mac hardware with monthly or annual plans to accommodate short-term projects. Easily select hardware from our standard, in-stock server configurations within the MacStadium Portal.
Simple, cost-effective setup
Full control over tooling and access methods
Ideal for background jobs, testing, and automation