Executive Summary
A virtual desktop moves the computer into the data center or cloud. The question is whether the user needed a whole computer in the first place.
Virtual desktops run the user's Windows desktop or apps on infrastructure the organization controls, and stream the screen to whatever device the user has. In this guide, VDI means the organization runs that infrastructure, and DaaS means a provider does. The endpoint management guide covers managing laptops and phones; the virtualization guide covers server hypervisors. This guide covers delivering desktops and apps from a central place.
Organizations buy virtual desktops for contractors and offshore teams, for regulated data that must not sit on laptops, for call centers, for developers who need powerful machines, and for running legacy Windows apps on any device. The approaches in this guide differ by who runs the infrastructure and how much of a desktop users get.
Why Virtual Desktops Are a Separate Purchase
Virtual desktops change where data lives and who pays for compute. They concentrate risk and cost in the data center or cloud, and they depend on desktop operating system and productivity suite licensing as much as on technology. A decision made for one use case, such as contractors, can become the platform for others, so it deserves its own evaluation.
Licensing shapes the cost. For Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft says customers can access Windows 11 and Windows 10 Enterprise desktops at no additional cost if they have an eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 license. Microsoft describes optimizing costs with multi-session capabilities and paying for only what is used. Microsoft says Azure Virtual Desktop for Remote App Streaming streams virtualized apps or desktops commercially to external users.
Cloud PCs are a simpler model. Microsoft says Windows 365 is a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) that automatically creates a new type of Windows virtual machine (Cloud PCs) for end users. Microsoft says Windows 365 Business is made specifically for use in smaller companies (up to 300 seats). Microsoft says Windows 365 Flex provides a single license to provision up to three Cloud PCs for non-concurrent use.
Run VDI, Buy DaaS, or Deliver Only Apps
Organizations can run VDI on their own infrastructure, buy DaaS from a cloud provider or specialist, or skip the desktop and deliver only the applications users need. Running VDI gives control and reuses data center investment. DaaS moves the infrastructure work to a provider. App delivery reduces cost and complexity when users need a handful of Windows apps, not a desktop.
Platforms and clouds mix. Amazon Web Services says VDI software from Citrix, Dizzion, Leostream, Omnissa and Workspot must be purchased separately. Parallels says workloads can mix hybrid, on-premises, private cloud and public cloud, including Azure Virtual Desktop and AWS. Some organizations avoid virtual desktops altogether: Venn says Blue Border protects company data, applications and AI workflows on any Mac or PC without VDI or fully managing the endpoint.
| Model | What you get | What you take on |
|---|---|---|
| On-premises VDI | Control over infrastructure and data location | Servers, storage and specialist staff |
| Hyperscaler DaaS | Desktops on a cloud provider's infrastructure | Cloud costs and the provider's limits |
| Cloud PCs | A fixed-price personal cloud desktop per user | Less flexibility on size and sharing |
| Specialist DaaS | A vendor-run service across clouds | Dependence on the vendor's operations |
| App delivery | Windows apps without full desktops | Users who need a desktop still need one |
How do you evaluate Virtual Desktops & DaaS?
Evaluate virtual desktops with your users, apps and networks. The capabilities that decide results are user experience and protocol performance, image and app management, multi-session support, security and access, monitoring, multicloud and hybrid support, and cost controls.
Experience and reliability decide adoption. Workspot says customers can achieve 99.99% uptime with failover for their virtual desktops and apps. Workspot describes integrating VDI session insights into SIEM and ITSM systems. ControlUp describes monitoring, troubleshooting and optimizing every virtual desktop before slow sessions and app crashes interrupt the workforce.
| Capability | What it does | Buyer translation |
|---|---|---|
| Display protocol | Streams the screen to the device | Test over your worst networks. |
| Image management | Builds and updates desktop images | Ask how updates reach users. |
| Multi-session | Several users share one machine | Lowers cost for task workers. |
| App delivery | Publishes single apps instead of desktops | Fits users who need a few apps. |
| Access and security | Controls who connects from where | Ask about MFA, clipboard and printing controls. |
| Monitoring | Tracks logins, sessions and performance | Needed to find slow sessions. |
| Multicloud and hybrid | Runs across data centers and clouds | Match to where your data must live. |
| Autoscaling and cost controls | Powers machines up and down | Ask how idle machines are shut down. |
Vendors in Virtual Desktops & DaaS
Representative vendors include Amazon Web Services, Cameyo by Google, Citrix, Microsoft, Parallels and Workspot. The list is alphabetical, is not a ranking, and is not for sale. How we choose vendors
The approaches below differ by who runs the infrastructure and what users receive. Several vendors offer more than one, so each approach describes where a product is strongest.
Enterprise platforms are broadening. Citrix describes a persona-based platform for secure application access, managed services and observability, delivered through a flexible license model. Citrix says Citrix Workspace app is client software that provides secure access to everything users need to get work done. Hyperscalers sell desktops directly. Amazon Web Services says WorkSpaces offers a choice of cloud-based Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) for use cases from task workers, contact center agents and back-office staff to developers, engineers and data scientists.
| Vendor | Approach | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Parallels | Application delivery | Parallels RAS app and desktop delivery |
| Cameyo by Google | Browser-based app delivery | Legacy apps delivered as web apps |
| Microsoft | Cloud PCs | Windows 365 Cloud PCs and Azure Virtual Desktop |
| Citrix | Enterprise VDI platforms | Secure app access and desktops with a flexible license model |
| Amazon Web Services | Hyperscaler DaaS | WorkSpaces cloud desktops on AWS |
| Workspot | Multicloud DaaS | Vendor-run desktops with failover and observability |
Each approach was written before one vendor was selected to represent it; placement here is not for sale. Close to twenty vendors sell VDI, DaaS or app delivery. Vendors, named here or not, can present their own case in the Spotlight below.
How much should you budget for Virtual Desktops & DaaS?
Virtual desktops combine software licenses, infrastructure and Windows licensing. DaaS is priced per user per month, by hours used, or by the cloud resources consumed. Amazon Web Services describes pricing based on a flat monthly fee per active user including up to 200 hours of streaming per user, with a nominal fee charged for every hour over 200. Ask each vendor what is included, which operating system and productivity suite licenses you need, and how idle desktops are charged.
The value of virtual desktops shows up in faster onboarding, less data on lost devices, cheaper devices and reuse of legacy apps. Model it per use case: contractors, call centers and developers each have different numbers.
| Meter | You are charged for | Grows with | Where it goes wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per user | Named or concurrent users | Headcount | Paying for users who rarely log in |
| Per hour | Hours desktops run | Usage | Desktops left running overnight |
| Cloud resources | Compute, storage and network | Machine size | Oversized machines and storage |
| Platform license | VDI software on top of infrastructure | Users | Paying twice when the cloud includes it |
| Desktop OS and productivity suite | Licenses for the desktop OS and apps | Users | Missing eligibility rules |
How long does implementation take for Virtual Desktops & DaaS?
Virtual desktop projects depend on knowing users and apps. Group users by need, then build and test for each group.
Group users by need. List apps, their dependencies and licensing. Decide who needs a desktop and who needs only apps.
Build images for the first group. Pilot with real users on real networks and measure login and app times.
Move groups in waves. Turn on autoscaling and monitoring.
Right-size machines and shut down idle ones. Review licensing and remove unused desktops.
What should you ask vendors about Virtual Desktops & DaaS?
Ask each vendor to answer for your user groups, apps and networks.
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Do most users need only a few Windows apps?Yes Shortlist application delivery and browser-based app delivery.No Continue.
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Do you want a provider to run the infrastructure?Yes Shortlist cloud PCs, hyperscaler DaaS and multicloud DaaS.No Continue.
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Do you run desktops on-premises and in several clouds?Yes Shortlist enterprise VDI platforms.No Hyperscaler DaaS on your main cloud fits.