Side by side
Shells vs US Signal OpenCloud Desktop-as-a-Service
Both stand on desk as a service software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
Shells offers persistent cloud desktops across a broad set of listed clients, with plans differentiated by processors, storage, and memory. There is no free plan, so compare the monthly tiers with the resources you need.
Visit Shells Paid AndroidAPIiPhone+4
OpenCloud offers two responsibility models for cloud virtual desktops with browser and mobile access. Its lack of GPU support and concurrent-user billing are important considerations for workload planning.
Visit US Signal OpenCloud Desktop-as-a-ServiceThe facts
| Shells | US Signal OpenCloud Desktop-as-a-Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | No |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Shells Basic: $14.95 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | shells.com | ussignal.com |
| On desk as a service software | #5 of 19 | #9 of 19 |
Shells: what it does well
- Access a cloud desktop from phones and tablets.
- Files can be accessed and edited across devices.
- User data is backed up automatically in the cloud.
- Plans include unlimited use.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Basic costs $14.95 a month.
- A risk-free 7-day offer is advertised for browser-in-the-cloud.
US Signal OpenCloud Desktop-as-a-Service: what it does well
- Accessible from iOS, Android and Chrome OS
- Managed tier includes patching and monitoring
- Unmanaged tier has no minimum commitment
- Encryption and multi-factor authentication described
- 24/7/365 support is listed
What to know first
- GPU-accelerated desktops are not supported
- Managed DaaS requires a minimum commitment
- Billing counts peak users even when inactive
- Data is destroyed after the retrieval window
Alternatives to Shells Alternatives to US Signal OpenCloud Desktop-as-a-Service The whole list