Gartner defines desktop as a service (DaaS) as the provision of virtual desktops by public cloud or other service providers. DaaS provides desktop or application end-user experiences from virtual machines (VMs) accessed using a remote display protocol. DaaS vendors incorporate a fully managed control plane service into their offerings, which facilitates user connections and provides a management interface. DaaS can be delivered preconfigured as a service. Alternatively, it can be delivered as a platform, in which case the client is responsible for assembly, configuration and management. DaaS is charged through subscription- or usage-based payment structures.
Citrix DaaS is a cloud-based software that enables organizations to securely deliver virtual desktops and applications to end-users across various devices and locations. The software provides centralized management and scalability for desktop environments, allowing IT administrators to control access, enforce policies, and update resources remotely. Citrix DaaS supports integration with multiple cloud infrastructures and offers features such as identity management, data protection, and optimized resource allocation. It addresses business challenges related to remote work, security, and operational efficiency by facilitating access to enterprise applications and data while ensuring compliance with organizational standards.
Amazon WorkSpaces is a fully managed desktop virtualization service for Windows and Linux that enables you to access resources from any supported device.
Azure Virtual Desktop is a software designed to provide secure remote desktop experiences by allowing users to virtualize Windows desktops and applications in the cloud. The software offers centralized management for deploying and managing virtual machines, enabling users to access work environments from various locations and devices. Azure Virtual Desktop supports integration with existing identity and security solutions, offers scalability for fluctuating workloads, and enables centralized control of resources and user access. The software addresses business requirements for secure remote access, flexible resource allocation, and streamlined management of virtual desktop infrastructure.
Windows 365 is a cloud-based software that enables organizations to deploy and manage virtual desktops, allowing users to access a personalized Windows experience from various devices and locations. This software integrates with existing IT infrastructure and provides scalable options for computing resources, storage, and security management. It offers features such as remote desktop access, centralized management, data protection, and seamless integration with Microsoft applications and services. Windows 365 addresses the business need for secure, flexible, and efficient remote work by providing a virtualized environment that supports productivity and collaboration regardless of physical location or hardware limitations.
VMware Horizon® Cloud on Microsoft Azure is a VMware managed Desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) that delivers virtual desktops and applications directly from a Microsoft Azure subscription with all the benefits of VMware Horizon®, including simplified management and integration with existing systems, enhanced remote experiences, intrinsic security, and a native cloud architecture. Eligible customers can leverage benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop—Windows 10 Enterprise multisession, extended security updates for Windows 7, and more—to deliver a secure remote work platform for cost-effective, increased user productivity.
Parallels RAS (remote application server) is a flexible, simple and secure virtual application and desktop delivery solution that empowers organizations of all sizes to work from anywhere, on any device.
Anunta Enterprise DaaS is a software that delivers desktop-as-a-service solutions, enabling businesses to deploy and manage virtual desktops for their end users. The software provides a platform for provisioning, monitoring, and maintaining virtual desktops in cloud or hybrid environments. It offers centralized administration, scalability, and integration with various endpoint devices, supporting remote and hybrid work models. Enterprise DaaS addresses business needs such as simplifying desktop management, optimizing IT operations, enhancing security through centralized controls, and supporting business continuity by enabling secure access to desktops and applications from any location.
Accops DaaS is a software that delivers virtual desktops and applications to end users from a centralized infrastructure. The software enables organizations to provide secure remote access to desktops and business applications from various devices, supporting workforce mobility and business continuity. It offers centralized management, provisioning, and monitoring of virtual desktop environments, while allowing IT teams to enforce access controls and data security policies. Accops DaaS is designed to support various operating systems and application types, addressing the challenges of remote and hybrid work environments, reducing endpoint management complexity, and ensuring secure access to enterprise resources without dependence on physical devices.
Apporto is a cloud-based virtual desktop software designed to deliver remote access to desktops and applications through a web browser. The software enables educational institutions and businesses to provide users with secure access to resources from various devices without requiring local installation. Apporto allows organizations to centralize computing resources, streamline software management, and support distributed teams or students. The software is suited for facilitating collaborative work, distance learning, and remote operations by offering features such as desktop sharing, integrated collaboration tools, and scalable deployment options. Apporto addresses the challenge of providing consistent and flexible access to digital resources in scenarios where physical access to hardware is limited or impractical.
Leostream Platform is a software that provides connection management for desktop virtualization environments. It enables organizations to securely deliver virtual desktops and applications to end users by integrating with various backend technologies such as hypervisors, cloud platforms, and remote display protocols. The software supports centralized authentication and policy management to control user access and session behavior. It offers features for monitoring desktop usage, managing resources, and scaling infrastructure according to business requirements. Leostream Platform addresses the need for flexible remote access and centralized control in virtual desktop infrastructure deployments, facilitating secure and efficient management of virtualized resources.
HP Anyware is enterprise software that enables secure remote access to digital workspaces across diverse IT environments. It includes lightweight components: Anyware Agents, Anyware Clients, and Anyware Manager Enterprise, which support deployment on physical or virtual machines and access from various end-user devices. Using the PCoIP protocol, it streams encrypted image pixels without transferring data, helping organizations maintain security and compliance. HP Anyware supports hybrid work by allowing users to connect from different locations and devices while IT retains control over access and policy enforcement. It is available via subscription and supports Windows, Linux, and macOS environments.
Elastic Desktop Service is a cloud-based software that enables users to access and manage virtual desktops from various locations and devices. The software provides scalable desktop resources and centralized management tools to facilitate the deployment and operation of virtual desktops. It offers features such as secure access, flexible configuration, and integration with existing enterprise systems. Elastic Desktop Service helps organizations address business challenges related to remote work and secure resource management by supporting multiple user scenarios and business applications. The software is designed to streamline desktop maintenance, improve operational efficiency, and enhance data security within a virtualized environment.
TruGrid SecureRDP enables secure, compliant, and low-latency Microsoft RDP connections.
TruGrid SecureRDP eliminates the need for RDP over VPN. It secures remote access to Windows systems on any network. It eliminates Microsoft RDS complexities.
It works without any firewall exposure or need for VPN. It includes multi-factor authentication, access policies, session logging, and end-to-end encryption, which help safeguard sensitive data and reduce unauthorized access risks.
SecureRDP assists organizations in maintaining compliance with security standards and streamlines remote access to employees and partners. It is intended to solve business problems related to secure remote workforce enablement and protection of digital assets within distributed IT environments.
The Workspot Digital Workplace Platform offers a comprehensive suite of products to streamline virtual desktop management and optimize cost. Workspot Control provides an admin console allowing IT teams to easily provision, deploy, scale and manage virtual apps and desktops. Workspot Client has built-in security features and enables end-users secure and productive access to virtual resources, while supporting business continuity requirements. Workspot Watch offers real-time observability and delivers actionable insights to identify and resolve issues. Workspot Trends uses historical data to track and proactively address potential problems, enabling organizations to maintain high-performance digital experiences (DEX). Workspot Global Desktop delivers high availability and uptime, ensuring seamless failover and uninterrupted workflows. Workspot ITSM/SIEM integration feeds real-time data into your SIEM and ITSM systems, helping you meet security, compliance, and governance requirements.
Amazon WorkSpaces Secure Browser is a software that enables users to securely access web applications and content from any device without the need for a traditional virtual desktop. The software isolates web browsing activity from endpoint devices, reducing the risk of exposure to web-based threats and minimizing the attack surface. It provides controls for access permissions, integrates with identity management solutions, and supports policy enforcement to manage user activity. Amazon WorkSpaces Secure Browser is designed to help organizations meet security and compliance requirements when accessing internal and external sites, while simplifying management of web access and reducing overhead associated with patching and securing browsers on individual devices.
Amazon WorkSpaces Core is a software that provides virtual desktop infrastructure resources in the cloud, enabling organizations to deploy and manage secure Windows and Linux desktop environments for users. The software facilitates remote access to corporate applications and data without the need to manage physical hardware, helping businesses support distributed workforces and improve operational flexibility. It offers features such as persistent storage, integration with existing Active Directory, scalability based on demand, and control over network configurations. Amazon WorkSpaces Core addresses business challenges related to desktop management, security, and remote productivity by streamlining IT administration and providing centralized oversight of desktop resources.
FlexxDesktop is a software designed to provide virtual desktop infrastructure management, enabling centralized deployment, configuration, and monitoring of virtual desktops across different environments. The software allows organizations to deliver and manage desktops and applications securely from data centers or cloud platforms. FlexxDesktop automates provisioning processes, manages user access, and offers performance analytics to support IT administration. It helps address business challenges related to the complexity of desktop virtualization, scalability, and maintenance by streamlining the delivery and control of desktop environments. FlexxDesktop supports integration with various hypervisors and infrastructure components, aiming to optimize resource usage and simplify operations for enterprises managing remote or hybrid workforces.
Dev Box is a software that provides developers with cloud-based workstations to streamline application development. The software enables organizations to configure, manage, and deploy preconfigured development environments which can be customized with specific tools, SDKs, and dependencies required for particular projects. Dev Box supports integration with organizational identity, security, and compliance controls to facilitate secure code development and testing. The software aims to address the challenge of inconsistent development environments, promoting productivity and reducing setup times by offering scalable computing resources from the cloud. Dev Box is designed to assist with onboarding and collaboration, allowing teams to provision ready-to-code environments quickly as business needs evolve.
Dizzion DaaS is a software that delivers cloud-based virtual desktops to enable secure access to applications and data from any location or device. The software supports remote and hybrid work environments by providing centralized management of desktops, integrated security controls, and compliance readiness features. Dizzion DaaS allows organizations to scale desktop deployment based on business needs, reduce the burden of desktop maintenance, and support a wide range of devices without requiring hardware updates. The software addresses business challenges related to workforce mobility, endpoint security, and IT infrastructure flexibility by centralizing desktop resources in the cloud and enabling users to connect reliably to their workspaces.
Show More Details
Features of Desktop as a Service
Updated September 2025
Mandatory Features:
A tool to manage virtual desktop resources, users and assignments.
A remote desktop protocol that provides secure access to virtual desktops or applications.
Support for the ability to connect from a range of endpoints, including those running Windows, macOS and less common browsers.
A cloud control plane hosted by a public cloud or other service provider. DaaS operations are performed from this control plane, which also brokers connections to VMs. The control plane is managed and maintained by the vendor.
Peer Lessons Learned for Desktop as a Service
Published May 2025
These lessons focuses on the responses to the questions: “If you could start over, what would your organization do differently?” and “What one piece of advice would you give other prospective customers?”