In short: Cameyo by Google is a virtual app delivery service that streams individual Windows applications to a browser, where they can be installed as progressive web apps. It avoids full virtual desktops and VPNs, runs on Google-managed servers in your cloud or on your own infrastructure, and is licensed per user on 12, 24 or 36 month terms.
What Cameyo is
Most organisations moving to browser-based working still have a handful of Windows applications they cannot replace: an accounts package, a line-of-business tool, a design or engineering program, a legacy database client. Traditionally that has meant virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or a VPN back to the office.
Cameyo takes a different approach called virtual app delivery. Instead of streaming a whole Windows desktop, it publishes individual applications, which users open from a browser tab or an app shelf. Each app can be installed as a progressive web app (PWA), so it launches like a local program on ChromeOS, Windows or macOS. Users get the full desktop version of the application, and can open and save files on the local device or in cloud storage where IT policy allows.
Google acquired Cameyo in 2024 and it is now sold as Cameyo by Google, closely integrated with ChromeOS, Chrome Enterprise and Google Workspace.
Key capabilities
- Individual apps, not desktops: publish only the applications people need, reducing what users can reach
- Browser and PWA delivery: no client to install, and no VPN needed to reach the apps
- Zero trust design: apps are isolated from the user's device, and devices from your network
- Single sign-on: sign in with your existing identity provider through OpenID Connect, with access to local files or cloud storage where policy allows
- Admin console and dashboard: manage users, apps and servers, set session timeouts, file handling and notifications, and view real-time and historical usage
- Flexible hosting: run servers in your own Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure subscription with Google handling deployment and scaling, or self-host on your own cloud or on-premises infrastructure using the Cameyo agent
- GPU servers for graphics-intensive applications
- API for provisioning servers, users, groups and apps
How Cameyo is licensed
Cameyo is a subscription licensed per user: everyone who accesses Cameyo-delivered apps needs a licence. Google's published terms for Cameyo are:
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum for a new subscription | 50 user licences |
| Contract length | 12, 24 or 36 months |
| Payment | Annually, quarterly or monthly in advance, monthly in arrears, or in full up front |
| Adding users | At any time, co-termed to the existing subscription end date |
| Reducing users | At renewal |
| Cancelling | At the end of the term; leaving early leaves the remaining commitment payable |
| Trial | Available from Google; ask us for the current trial terms |
Hosting costs for servers in your own cloud are separate from the Cameyo licence. We set out both in your quote, so ask us for a quote with your user count and the applications you want to deliver.
Who Cameyo suits
- Organisations moving staff to ChromeOS that still rely on a few Windows applications
- Businesses replacing ageing VDI or remote desktop services that are costly to run and patch
- Teams giving contractors or partners access to one application without network access
- Schools and colleges delivering specialist Windows software to Chromebooks
It is less suited to users who need a complete Windows desktop all day, or to applications that depend on locally attached hardware.
How we help
We assess which applications you need to deliver, recommend a hosting model, and help set up servers, publish apps, configure SSO and roll out PWAs to devices. Once live, we handle licence changes and renewals on your Forever Systems account.
Contact us for a quote, or browse other secure remote access software.
How Forever Systems supplies your software licences
Forever Systems Ltd supplies business software subscriptions to UK organisations from one account, with one monthly invoice and a UK team who know the products.
- The right edition first time: we check what you need before you buy, so you are not paying for features you will never use
- Monthly or annual terms where the vendor offers them, and help timing renewals and commitments
- Licence changes handled for you: add or remove users, upgrade editions and true-up without starting a new contract
- Deployment and support from engineers who run these products every day, not just a reseller account
- Consolidated billing and renewal reminders so nothing lapses unexpectedly
We work with businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations of all sizes.
Need a licence quote or a second opinion on your renewal?
Tell Forever Systems what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cameyo and VDI?
VDI streams a whole virtual Windows desktop. Cameyo streams only the individual applications users need, to a browser or as a progressive web app, which is simpler to manage and exposes less.
Does Cameyo need a VPN?
No. Applications are delivered through the browser, so users do not need a VPN to reach them.
Is there a minimum number of Cameyo licences?
Yes. A new Cameyo subscription has a minimum of 50 user licences, on a 12, 24 or 36 month term.
Where do Cameyo servers run?
Either in your own Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure subscription, with Google handling deployment and scaling, or self-hosted on your own cloud or on-premises infrastructure using the Cameyo agent.