Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Instant Workstation VS OnWorks

Compare Instant Workstation VS OnWorks and see what are their differences

Instant Workstation logo Instant Workstation

Instant Workstation is a virtual machine on demand service.

OnWorks logo OnWorks

OnWorks is a free hosting provider that allows to run your workstations only using your web browser.
Not present
  • OnWorks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-24

Instant Workstation features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

OnWorks features and specs

  • Access to Multiple Operating Systems
    OnWorks provides users with the ability to run various operating systems such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS from within their web browser, enabling flexibility and learning opportunities without the need for multi-booting or virtualization software.
  • Free to Use
    The platform offers a free tier, allowing users to access and utilize operating system instances without any monetary investment, which is beneficial for students, hobbyists, and developers.
  • Web-Based Convenience
    Being a web-based service, OnWorks can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and a browser, allowing for on-the-go access and reducing dependency on hardware.
  • Resource Availability
    OnWorks hosts a variety of software and applications, giving users the ability to test and use different programs without having to install them locally.
  • Easy to Use
    The platform is user-friendly and offers a straightforward interface, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge or experience.

Possible disadvantages of OnWorks

  • Performance Limitations
    As a browser-based virtual machine, the performance can be slower and more limited compared to running a native or locally-virtualized OS, which may not be suitable for heavy or resource-intensive applications.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Since it is a web-based service, a stable and fast internet connection is crucial for a smooth experience. Connectivity issues can disrupt workflow and access.
  • Limited Customization
    Users might find the level of customization and control over the virtual machines to be more limited compared to traditional virtualization platforms like VMware or VirtualBox.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Using a cloud-based service requires trusting OnWorks with data privacy and security, which may be a concern for users handling sensitive or personal data.
  • Usage Restrictions
    Free tiers often come with restrictions on usage time, available resources, or additional features that might be unlocked only through a subscription or paid plan.

Analysis of OnWorks

Overall verdict

  • OnWorks is considered a useful tool for specific purposes, such as testing Linux distributions, educational use, and development. However, its performance might not match up to that of a local installation due to browser-based limitations, making it less suitable for resource-intensive tasks.

Why this product is good

  • OnWorks is a free hosting platform that allows users to run various types of Linux distributions directly from a web browser. It provides an accessible way for individuals to try out different Linux operating systems without needing to install them on their local machines. The platform is particularly convenient for users who need temporary access to a Linux environment or wish to learn about Linux without altering their system configurations.

Recommended for

    OnWorks is recommended for students, developers, and hobbyists who are looking to explore multiple Linux distributions. It's also valuable for users seeking a quick and hassle-free way to run Linux environments for learning, testing, or development purposes without committing to a full installation.

Instant Workstation videos

No Instant Workstation videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

OnWorks videos

OnWorks integration with Google Drive

More videos:

  • Review - Windows online theme Linux by onworks net
  • Review - Ubuntu19 online by onworks net

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Instant Workstation and OnWorks)
Web Hosting
17 17%
83% 83
VPS
100 100%
0% 0
Domain Name Registrar
0 0%
100% 100
Linux
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Instant Workstation and OnWorks. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OnWorks seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 11 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Instant Workstation mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Instant Workstation yet. Tracking of Instant Workstation recommendations started around May 2025.

OnWorks mentions (11)

  • Is there a way to run a VM through browser or something else?
    Hello, my pc is unable to run a vm locally due to lack of storage space, and I was wondering if there was a way to run a VM through alternative means? I've heard of onworks.net but it is a bit laggy and cant run the things im looking for (plus it looks a bit sketchy). I was wondering if there was a way to host a virtual machine through cloud or if there was some serivce I could use to run it remotely? If not, is... Source: over 2 years ago
  • It seems distrotest.net is offline (domain for sale).
    Also there is also https://onworks.net. Source: about 3 years ago
  • I was searching for Minecraft mods and found a client called Hydrogen Client, apparently a free ghost client(it's on Github) I've scanned it using Kaspersky and it was clean. I don't want to get malware on my computer, any second thoughts from anyone.
    Use Virus total, as it scans it with every antivirus known to man, and scan it with Theia, while it might not work for 1.8, its worth a shot. Keep in mind if you wish to test the client to see if its worth downloading than you should use a Linux VM. If your too lazy to download a VM software than you can use onworks.net, as its free. Source: about 3 years ago
  • A lot of unblocked games like FNF, Smash Karts and more!
    Try using onworks.net (or other services) to bypass blocking. Source: over 3 years ago
  • So i'm posting this from an online virtual machine on a school pc
    There's a website called onworks.net and you can open an ubuntu vm on it and completely bypass the schools search restrictions and they wont even know. You can even watch youtube or, as I'm currently doing, browse reddit. Have fun lol. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Instant Workstation and OnWorks, you can also consider the following products

WebVM - A server-less virtual environment running fully client-side in HTML5/WebAssembly, designed to be Linux ABI-compatible, supporting x86 binaries on any browser, powered by the CheerpX engine, with a Debian OS and developer tools for secure, sandboxed โ€ฆ

Namecheap - The Best Domain Name Registrar when it comes to Customer Service. Learn why over 800,000 customers trust us with a total of over 3,000,000 domains.

DistroSea - DistroSea is the new Distrotest. It allows you to test Linux Distros from the comfort of your own web browser. With around 50 Linux distros to choose from, you will be easily able to find the distro that suits your needs.

Gandi.net - GANDI is a domain name registrar and cloud hosting company. Free website, SSL certificate, blog, and e-mail included. VPS dedicated virtual servers, cloud hosting.

craftlands.host - Powerful, fast, and budget-friendly game server hosting for Minecraft, Rust and more.

HostGator - HostGator is a leading provider of web hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Discover why over 9,000,000 websites trust us for their hosting needs.