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  1. Home
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  3. Azure Virtual Desktop
Logo of Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop

byMicrosoft
in Desktop as a Service
4.5
2026

Overview

Product Information on Azure Virtual Desktop

Updated 13th October 2025

What is Azure Virtual Desktop?

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.

Azure Virtual Desktop Pricing

Azure Virtual Desktop software uses a consumption-based pricing model, where charges are applied based on the underlying Azure infrastructure resources consumed, such as virtual machines, storage, and networking, along with user access rights that may require eligible Microsoft licenses.

Overall experience with Azure Virtual Desktop

It Associate
Gov't/PS/ED <5,000 Employees, Education
FAVORABLE

“Azure Virtual Desktop Enables Flexible Management but Setup and Costs Present Challenges”

4.0
Mar 10, 2026
What worked well with Azure Virtual Desktop was its flexibility, scalability, and integration with Microsoft services, which made remote access and centralized management easier. However, the initial setup can be complex, costs can be difficult to manage, and performance may vary depending on network connectivity.
Engineering Manager
1B - 3B USD, Banking
CRITICAL

“Cost-Effective With Proper Compute Sizing but Demands Entire Stack Proficiency”

3.0
Mar 18, 2026
Scalable and cost effective as a replacement and/or to run in tandem with Citrix VDI

Badges

Gartner Peer Insights recognizes vendors who meet or exceed both the market average Overall Experience and the market average User Interest and Adoption score through a Customers’ Choice distinction.
2026
For Market:
Desktop as a Service

About Company

Company Description

Updated 11th August 2023

Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft is dedicated to advancing human and organizational achievement. Microsoft Security helps protect people and data against cyberthreats to give peace of mind.

Company Details

Updated 25th March 2024
Company type
Public
Year Founded
1975
Head office location
Redmond, Washington, United States
Number of employees
10000+
Annual Revenue
30B+ USD
Website
https://microsoft.com

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Key Insights

A Snapshot of What Matters - Based on Validated User Reviews

User Sentiment About Azure Virtual Desktop
Reviewer Insights for: Azure Virtual Desktop
Deciding Factors: Azure Virtual Desktop Vs. Market Average
Performance of Azure Virtual Desktop Across Market Features

Azure Virtual Desktop Likes & Dislikes

Like

One thing I like most about Azure Virtual Desktop is its flexibility and scalability. Since it runs in Microsoft Azure, we are able to deploy and scale desktops quickly up and down on demand without having to purchase or maintain physical hardware. The secure remote access is also a game-changer. Our users are able to access their desktops or applications from almost any device. I also like the integration with other Microsoft services, such as Azure Active Directory. This makes it easier to manage and allows users to access their applications and services easily.

Like

When designed well with proper compute sizing, it is very cost effective

Like

I like how smooth the virtual desktop is when taking control, I have used other remote desktop platforms and they are very laggy whereas Azure's virtual desktop isn't. One of the main reasons I chose Azure is based on its current client base, I see a lot of competitors using this same platform which is one of the reasons why I wanted to test this. Lastly, Azure virtual desktop is so easy to setup, as long as the other desktop has installed, I can connect very easily and it doesn't take a long time to connect either.

Dislike

The infrastructure costs add up quickly with storage, virtual machines, networking, and Azure compute when sessions are running. There is also a complex initial setup when deploying Azure initially. The performance of the sessions are dependent upon the users internet connectivity. If they are on a poor internet connection, they have lag and latency which can also cause them to disconnect.

Dislike

To use this product, you have to understand and use an entire stack of products ranging from Networking to storage and everything in between

Dislike

Although the connections are quite simple, the initial setup is quite complex and requires tech savvy skills to get this up and running. Azure Virtual Desktop is also expensive, especially if this is only used by a small team. For larger teams, the price is understandable, however for smaller teams there are cheaper alternatives. One negative we came across while using Azure is that it doesn't work well if one of the connections has bad internet or is based in a country with lag or ping difference, this was resolved with an ethernet connection.

Top Azure Virtual Desktop Alternatives

Logo of Citrix DaaS
1. Citrix DaaS
4.2
(484 Ratings)
Logo of Amazon Workspaces
2. Amazon Workspaces
4.3
(403 Ratings)
Logo of Windows 365
3. Windows 365
4.5
(169 Ratings)
View All Alternatives

Peer Discussions

What Your Peers Are Saying About Azure Virtual Desktop

Director of IT
I wanted to reach out to all those who might have migrated to Microsoft's Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) as a DaaS solution. We've been testing this while working remotely (off network) and it appears to be working fine. However, when we test the platform in the office we run into all sorts of issues like background images in Teams not working, etc. We connect to AVD in the office using a ThinClient (Dell WYSE Terminal). Anyone using AVD from the office and if so, are you using a specific brand of ThinClient that works for you?
Director of IT
We have been using AVD as well as Windows 365 (Cloud PC) for a couple of years now. We are primarily using it for contractors who aren't eligible to receive a company laptop, but is also extensively being used for remote IT folks. We aren't using thin clients to connect to either AVD or CloudPC, instead the "Windows" app on PC and Mac. The Windows app fully supports media optimization which leverages WebRTC for multimedia content in the browser as well as audio/video in Teams. Teams video works flawlessly with within AVD and Cloud PC with very low latency and features like background images or background blur. It is possible that the WYSE terminals in use either don't support media optimization/redirection or aren't configured for support of the same.
See Full Discussion
14 Jan 20251.2k Views1 Comment
Director of IT
Cloud PC - Windows 365 - What all adoption uses cases are beneficial vis-a-vis Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD/WVD)?
CISO
Cloud PCs (Windows 365) are great for simplicity and streamlined management. They’re perfect for organizations wanting an easy-to-deploy desktop experience without extensive IT overhead. They integrate well with Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) and are ideal for remote or hybrid workforces needing consistent desktop experience. They have fixed licensing prices and can be deployed on a Microsoft-managed network, keeping the SaaS solution if that level of security and responsibility are desired. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) excels in customization and flexibility, making it suitable for larger enterprises or those needing multi-session capabilities and application virtualization. It’s great for dynamic workloads due to its consumption-based pricing and offers deeper control over the environment, which is ideal for IT teams needing advanced configuration. With AVD, you’ll need the infrastructure, meaning your organization would bear the added responsibility of IaaS and extra security.
See Full Discussion
19 Dec 20242.5k Views1 Comment

Azure Virtual Desktop Reviews and Ratings

4.5

(187 Ratings)

Rating Distribution

5 Star
49%
4 Star
47%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Why ratings and reviews count differ?

Customer Experience

Evaluation & Contracting

4.4

Integration & Deployment

4.5

Service & Support

4.4

Product Capabilities

4.5

Filter Reviews
Sort By:
Most helpful
Last 12 Months
Star Rating
Reviewer Type
Reviewer's Company Size
Reviewer's Industry
Reviewer's Region
Reviewer's Job Function
  • It Associate
    Gov't/PS/Ed
    Education
    Review Source

    Azure Virtual Desktop Enables Flexible Management but Setup and Costs Present Challenges

    4.0
    Mar 10, 2026
    What worked well with Azure Virtual Desktop was its flexibility, scalability, and integration with Microsoft services, which made remote access and centralized management easier. However, the initial setup can be complex, costs can be difficult to manage, and performance may vary depending on network connectivity.
  • Recruitment Manager
    Gov't/PS/Ed
    Education
    Review Source

    Azure Virtual Desktop Enables Efficient Remote Control With Smooth Performance

    5.0
    Mar 6, 2026
    Azure Virtual Desktop is awesome, especially from a management position. For me, being able to take control of another member of the team’s desktop to resolve queries has been a lifesaver and speeds up processes that would usually take a lot longer.
  • Software Developer
    <50M USD
    Media
    Review Source

    Instant Profile Loading and Shared VM Access Offset by Complex Setup Process

    4.0
    Mar 28, 2026
    It provides quite a notable and consistent windows 11 experience allowing me to work from pretty much anywhere provided my internet connection is stable
  • IT Services Associate
    50M-1B USD
    Software
    Review Source

    Modern Remote Desktop Platform Offers Architectural Freedom With Manual Optimization Needs

    5.0
    Mar 9, 2026
    This solution is the epitome of 'Better Together' rolled in with a modernization of the prolific Remote Desktop Services solution that has not seen major updates in years. This is the next generation, and lives up to the hype when well understood and implemented.
  • It Associate
    1B-10B USD
    Consumer Goods
    Review Source

    A scalable and secure DaaS solution with strong integration, but requires careful cost and performance management.

    4.0
    Mar 31, 2026
    It is a strong and reliable Desktop-as-a-Service solution, especially for organizations already invested in the Azure ecosystem. It provides a flexible and scalable way to deliver virtual desktops and applications to users across different locations
...
Showing Result 1-5 of 285

Recommended Gartner Insights

  • Critical Capabilities for Desktop as a Service
  • Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service

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