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Ravada VDI
What it is
Ravada VDI is an open-source broker that lets users connect to virtual desktops. Its web interface provides user machine access and settings, while administrators can manage virtual machine pools and templates. The backend currently supports KVM and is designed to allow additional hypervisors in the future. Users need a web browser and a remote viewer that supports SPICE. Ravada works on Linux distributions, with server packages supported for Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora, and it can also be installed with Docker. Documentation describes SPICE viewer clients for Linux and Windows and includes macOS client setup pages. The production deployment guide covers SPICE-TLS configuration. SQL and LDAP authentication are supported. Ravada is free to use under the AGPL license and is intended for sysadmins deploying on-premise virtual desktops; basic GNU/Linux administration knowledge is advised. The project directs users to documentation, GitHub issues, a Google group, and a public Telegram group, and says its developers are unpaid volunteers rather than a personal support hotline.
For and against
For
- Web frontend provides user and administrator tools
- SQL and LDAP authentication are supported
- Server packages support Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora
- Docker installation is available
- Production guide covers SPICE-TLS configuration
Against
- Backend currently supports KVM
- Users need a SPICE-compatible remote viewer
- Basic GNU/Linux administration knowledge is advised
- Developers are unpaid volunteers, not a personal support hotline
The verdict
Ravada offers a self-hosted route to managing virtual desktop access, pools, and templates, with SQL and LDAP authentication. It currently supports KVM, and deployment requires Linux administration knowledge and SPICE-compatible client access.
Who it suits
Ravada suits sysadmins deploying on-premise virtual desktops who have basic GNU/Linux administration knowledge and can provide users with SPICE-compatible remote viewers.
Plans and prices
Free
Self-hosted deployment · Linux-based server administration · KVM support currently stated
Read 7 Oct 2026 · ravada.upc.edu
On the record
- Access
- Users need a web browser and a remote viewer that supports the SPICE protocol.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- The maker says SQL and LDAP authentication are supported.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
- Client platforms
- The installation documentation describes SPICE viewer clients for Linux and Windows, and the documentation includes client setup pages for macOS.ravada.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Ravada works on Linux distributions, with packages supported for Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora servers, and it can also be installed with Docker.ravada.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Hypervisor
- The maker says the backend currently supports KVM and is designed to allow future hypervisors to be added.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- Ravada's code is licensed under AGPL.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security configuration
- The documentation includes a production deployment guide with SPICE-TLS configuration.ravada.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to documentation, GitHub issues, a Google group, and a public Telegram group, and says its developers are unpaid volunteers rather than a personal support hotline.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
- Web interface
- The web frontend includes user machine access and settings, machine management, and administrator tools for managing VM pools and templates.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Ravada is an open-source VDI broker that lets users connect to virtual desktops.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- Ravada is intended for sysadmins deploying on-premise virtual desktops, and basic GNU/Linux administration knowledge is advised.ravada.upc.edu · read 7 Oct 2026
