A horizontal application is any software application that targets a large number of users with different knowledge and skill sets. Because these types of applications can extend across markets and used in a range of industries, they typically do not offer market-specific features.
Horizontal applications can be off-the-shelf solutions or integrated and proprietary vendor solutions. Some examples of horizontal applications include word processors, spreadsheets, financial software and Web browsers.
See also application and enterprise application.
Contrast with vertical application.
