Beyond the License Fee
Most carriers know their Citrix licensing cost. Few calculate the total cost of ownership.
The Real Numbers
| Cost Component | Per User/Year |
|---|---|
| Citrix/VMware licensing | $180–$300 |
| Infrastructure (compute, storage) | $80–$150 |
| Help desk support | $40–$80 |
| Administration | $30–$60 |
| Capacity planning overhead | $20–$40 |
| Total | $350–$630 |
The Hidden Costs
What these numbers don't capture:
- Onboarding delays: 2-4 weeks to provision VDI for a new broker
- Performance complaints: Agents abandoning slow virtual desktops
- Submission leakage: Brokers sending business to carriers with faster access
The Alternative
Device posture verification costs a fraction of VDI — typically under $50 per user per year — while providing equivalent compliance documentation and dramatically faster onboarding.