6 Best Cloud VDI Solution for 2024

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, organizations are increasingly turning to Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) as a solution to enhance flexibility and productivity. VDI is a technology that allows users to access desktop environments hosted on centralized servers rather than on individual physical machines

By centralizing desktop environments on secure servers, VDI eliminates the need for companies to provide and manage physical machines for each employee. This allows users to access their virtual desktops from various devices, whether PCs, tablets, or thin client terminals. VDI is particularly useful for businesses that require flexibility, scalability, and improved security for managing desktop environments for remote employees, branch offices, contractors, and partners.

Given the wide array of cloud VDI providers available, choosing the right one can be difficult. To simplify this process, we have compiled a list of the top cloud VDI providers to help you find the ideal solution for your organization.

Here is our list of the best cloud VDI providers:

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop A cost-effective and secure cloud VDI solution for organizations of all sizes and locations.
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Enables you to provide the best VDI, virtual application, and DaaS experience from any cloud, on-premises, or hybrid setup.
Omnissa Horizon Cloud Virtual desktop and application delivery with a hybrid DaaS platform.
Amazon WorkSpaces Family A fully managed VDI service that offers organizations the flexibility to decide between highly customizable virtual desktops for their employees.
Parallels RAS A flexible virtual application, desktop delivery, and DaaS solution.
Workspot A cutting-edge cloud VDI solution designed to address the significant challenges organizations face with traditional on-premises VDI implementations.

Our methodology for selecting top cloud VDI solution providers

The selection of the top cloud VDI solutions was based on a combination of several key criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the criteria considered:

Market Reputation The solutions included in the list are well-known and respected in the VDI market, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality services.
Features and Functionality The solutions offer a comprehensive set of features and functionalities, such as scalability, flexibility, security, and integration with other cloud services.
Customer Reviews and Ratings The solutions have received positive feedback from customers in terms of performance, reliability, and ease of use.
Technology Stack The solutions leverage advanced technologies, such as AI, ML, and cloud-native architectures, to provide a superior user experience.
Pricing and Licensing Models The solutions offer competitive pricing and flexible licensing options to meet the needs of different organizations.
Integration Capabilities The solutions integrate seamlessly with other cloud services and on-premises infrastructure, making it easy to deploy and manage.

However, it’s important to note that the best solution for a particular organization depends on its specific requirements and preferences.

1. Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop is a cloud-based VDI solution that provides users with a full desktop experience from virtually any device. Built on Microsoft Azure’s powerful infrastructure, it offers flexibility, security, and scalability, making it an ideal choice for organizations of all sizes. Microsoft was recognized as a Leader in the 2023 Gartner DaaS Magic Quadrant.

Key Features:

Secured Virtual Machines: Configure and deploy virtual machines that deliver Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktop and application experiences.
Connection Quality Analysis: Analyze connection quality to ensure optimal performance, deploying virtual infrastructure in secured Azure regions worldwide.
Familiar Windows Experiences: Provide access to various Windows environments, including Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server versions (2022, 2019, 2016).
Control and Resilience: Microsoft manages all aspects of the control plane, ensuring a resilient global footprint for your virtual infrastructure.
Flexible Networking Options: Utilize networking features like Azure Private Link and RDP Shortpath for enhanced security and reliability.
Host Pool Management: Leverage advanced capabilities such as custom image templates to effectively manage large-scale deployments.
Multi-Session Capabilities: Windows 11 and Windows 10 multi-session allow multiple users to access a single virtual machine simultaneously, reducing costs.

Azure Virtual Desktop handles the entire VDI, including the broker, gateway, load balancer, and diagnostics. IT teams only need to manage Windows 11 and Windows 10 remote desktops, applications, and relevant governance policies. You can purchase, and manage Azure Virtual Desktop through the Azure Portal.

Why Do We Recommend It?

We recommend Azure Virtual Desktop because it offers secure and reliable access to virtualized Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktops and applications. I found that Azure optimizes costs through its multi-session capabilities, enabling businesses to pay only for the resources they actually use. This combination of security, flexibility, and cost efficiency makes Azure an ideal choice for virtual desktop infrastructure.

Who Is It Recommended For?

Azure Virtual Desktop is designed for organizations skilled in implementing and managing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions, aiming to provide employees with a secure, remote Windows desktop experience suitable for a variety of use cases.

Pros:

Pay-Per-Use Model: Scale consumption on demand, paying for compute capacity by the second, without long-term commitments or upfront payments.
Cost Efficiency: Multi-session capabilities and a pay-per-use model help reduce overall costs, making it easier for organizations to manage budgets.
Familiarity: Users can access familiar Windows environments, reducing the learning curve and improving productivity.
Scalability: Easily scale resources up or down based on demand without significant upfront investment.
Simplified Management: Microsoft’s management of the control plane allows IT teams to focus on other strategic initiatives.

Cons:

Dependency on Internet Connectivity: Performance relies heavily on stable Internet connections, which may pose challenges in low-bandwidth areas.
Potential Cost Overruns: While the pay-per-use model is advantageous, mismanagement of resources could lead to unexpected costs.

2. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops is a leading cloud-based VDI solution that enables organizations to deliver secure and reliable virtual desktop and application experiences to users across various devices. Citrix was recognized as a Leader in the 2023 Gartner DaaS Magic Quadrant. With its robust features and flexible deployment options, Citrix stands out as an ideal choice for businesses seeking to enhance productivity and streamline IT management.

Key Features:

Flexible Deployment Options: Deliver VDI, virtual applications, and Desktop as a Service (DaaS) from any cloud, on-premises, or hybrid infrastructure.
Secure Work Experience: Combines cloud-based Citrix DaaS with on-premises solutions to provide a secure work environment on any device.
Robust Security Features: Offers a wide range of security options to protect unmanaged endpoints, enhancing overall security posture.
HDX Optimization Technology: Boosts productivity by delivering a high-quality user experience even with low bandwidth, focusing on unified communications and graphic-intensive applications.
Hybrid Multi-Cloud Management: Supports workload storage across multiple clouds (Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, AWS) and integrates with on-premises resources.
Simplified Management: Enhances server scalability, accelerates logins, and improves application response times with a lightweight management solution.

Why Do We Recommend It?

We recommend Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops as a cloud-based VDI solution because it offers unparalleled flexibility and security for organizations of all sizes. I noted that its ability to deliver a seamless virtual desktop and application experience across various infrastructures—whether cloud, on-premises, or hybrid—ensures that businesses can adapt to evolving needs.

Who Is It Recommended For?

This solution is most suitable for organizations with a diverse workforce, including remote and hybrid teams, as well as those operating in regulated industries that require strict security and compliance measures. Companies that need to manage applications across multiple cloud environments—such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and AWS—will also benefit from Citrix’s hybrid multi-cloud capabilities.

Pros:

Cost Efficiency: The DaaS model can reduce overall IT costs while increasing agility and productivity.
Sustainable IT Practices: Maximizes existing on-premises or cloud resources, endpoints, and network usage for improved sustainability.
Flexibility: Citrix allows organizations to deploy virtual desktops across various infrastructures, providing flexibility to adapt to business needs.
Enhanced Security: Comprehensive security features help safeguard sensitive data and manage endpoints effectively.
High Performance: HDX optimization ensures a smooth user experience, even under challenging network conditions.

Cons:

Cost Concerns: While cost-efficient, expenses can accumulate if not carefully managed, especially with added cloud services.
Dependency on Connectivity: Performance is reliant on internet connectivity; poor connections can impact user experience.

3. Omnissa Horizon Cloud

Omnissa Horizon Cloud (formally VMware Horizon Cloud) is a robust cloud-based VDI solution that empowers organizations to deliver virtual desktops and applications securely and efficiently. Leveraging its extensive virtualization technology, Horizon Cloud provides a seamless user experience across various devices while offering IT teams the tools they need to manage and scale their virtual environments effectively.

Key Features:

Horizon Edge: An edge solution that minimizes the infrastructure footprint by replacing traditional pods with a single Edge Gateway, simplifying deployment.
Advanced Automation: Features an API-driven architecture that allows for easy integration of additional tools, services, and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency.
Unified Workspace: Horizon Cloud provides a unified platform for managing virtual desktops and applications, allowing users to access all their tools from a single interface.
Advanced Security: The solution incorporates multiple security layers, including user authentication, data encryption, and secure access controls, ensuring that sensitive information remains.
Advanced Management Tools: Offers a comprehensive set of management tools for creating, configuring, and managing virtual desktop pools, user profiles, and application delivery.
High Performance: Leverages advanced technologies to deliver high-performance virtual desktops, even for demanding applications like 3D graphics and video editing.
Scalability and Flexibility: The solution can be easily scaled to accommodate changing business needs, allowing organizations to add or remove virtual desktops as required.

Why Do We Recommend It?

We recommend Omnissa Horizon Cloud as a cloud VDI solution due to its reputation, flexibility, and robust performance capabilities. I learned that with Omnissa Horizon Cloud, organizations can deploy virtual desktops and applications in a variety of environments, including public clouds, on-premises, and hybrid configurations.

Who Is It Recommended For?

Omnissa Horizon Cloud is suitable for organizations with remote or hybrid workforces, as it facilitates secure access to critical applications and data from any device. Industries that require stringent compliance and security measures, such as healthcare and finance, will benefit from Horizon Cloud’s extensive security features.

Pros:

Stable Environment: With more management components centralized in the Horizon Control Plane, there are fewer elements to oversee, resulting in increased stability and reliability.
Faster Time to Value: The turnkey pod-less architecture simplifies the deployment process, enabling organizations to achieve faster time to value.
Centralized Management: Offers a comprehensive management console that simplifies deployment and monitoring, streamlining IT operations.
Flexible Deployment Options: Offers a multi-tenant, cloud-scale architecture that allows organizations to choose the optimal location for their virtual desktops and applications—whether on-premises, hybrid, or multi-cloud.
Seamless User Experience: Provides a unified workspace for accessing virtual desktops and applications, enhancing user productivity and satisfaction.

Cons:

Market Uncertainty: With the recent acquisition of VMware EUC by KKR, there may be uncertainty regarding the long-term direction and support for Omnissa, particularly since Broadcom initially deemed this division as non-core.

4. Amazon WorkSpaces Family

Amazon WorkSpaces is a fully managed VDI service designed to provide organizations with seamless access to applications and data while optimizing costs and enhancing productivity. In addition to Amazon WorkSpaces, Amazon WorkSpaces Core provides a set of VDI APIs tailored for third-party software integration. This enables customers and partners to create customized VDI solutions using purpose-built compute instances optimized for virtual desktops.

Key Features:

Seamless Access to AWS Applications and Data: Users can access applications and data stored on AWS, maximizing productivity and ensuring business continuity.
Strong Security and Compliance: Built on AWS’s secure infrastructure, WorkSpaces is designed to provide a high level of security, supported by a financially backed SLA guaranteeing 99.9% uptime.
Flexible Licensing Options: Supports Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise licenses, allowing integration of familiar productivity tools into the WorkSpaces environment.
Unified Management Experience: Admins can manage both WorkSpaces Personal and WorkSpaces Pools virtual desktops using the same applications.
Adaptive Onboarding Tool: The AWS Management Console includes an onboarding tool that recommends suitable configurations based on specific use cases.
Support for Third-Party VDI Solutions: WorkSpaces Core allows integration with various third-party VDI solutions while leveraging AWS’s security and scalability.

Why Do We Recommend It

We recommend Amazon WorkSpaces because its services cater to a diverse range of worker types, ensuring that every employee has access to the right virtual desktop for their specific needs, regardless of their location. This flexibility enhances the overall user experience. I discovered that additionally, the pay-as-you-go model means organizations only pay for the resources they use, making it a cost-effective solution.

Who Is It Recommended For?

Amazon WorkSpaces is most suitable for organizations with remote or hybrid workforces, as it provides flexible access to virtual desktops from any location. It’s ideal for businesses that need to support a variety of user types, including full-time employees, seasonal workers, and contractors, allowing for tailored desktop experiences.

Pros:

Flexible Pricing Model: Offers both monthly and hourly billing options, allowing businesses to pay only for the resources they use.
Cost-Effective Scaling: The pay-as-you-go model enables organizations to scale their VDI up or down based on demand, optimizing overall spending.
Enhanced Productivity: Provides a stable and reliable environment that supports remote work, ensuring users can access necessary applications and data at any time.
Simplified Migration: WorkSpaces Core simplifies the migration from existing VDI solutions, allowing businesses to use familiar management tools alongside AWS’s robust infrastructure.
Reduced Administrative Burden: Automated configuration recommendations streamline the onboarding process, making it easier for IT teams to manage virtual desktops.

Cons:

Dependency on AWS: Organizations must rely on AWS’s infrastructure, which may be a concern for those looking for multi-cloud or on-premises solutions.
Potential for Variable Costs: Although the hourly billing model can save money, costs may fluctuate based on usage, which can be challenging to predict for budgeting purposes.

5. Parallel Remote Application Server (RAS)

Parallels RAS is a virtual application and desktop delivery solution that enables organizations of all sizes to work securely from any location on any device. Developed by Parallels and first released in 2014 by 2X Software. With Parallels RAS, Windows applications can be delivered from a shared server or cloud system, making it possible to run them on devices that typically would not support such software, including Macintosh computers, mobile devices, and Google Chromebooks.

Key Features:

Integration: Integrates with all leading hypervisors, including VMware ESX, Microsoft Hyper-V, Scale, Nutanix, and other popular choices, as well as cloud service providers such as Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services EC2.
User Friendly: With quick onboarding and 24/7 technical support, organizations can accelerate user learning and skill development.
Hybrid Deployment Options: Designed for hybrid deployments including options for, on-premises, private cloud, and public cloud setups, ensuring that organizations are not restricted to a single resource location.
Support for Different OSs: Compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web (HTML5).
Enhanced Security and Compliance: Ensures secure user sessions through SSL/TLS 1.3 and supports FIPS-140-2, providing fully encrypted sessions that adhere to stringent security standards.
Unified Console: Features a single console for all administrative tasks, including app and desktop management, image handling, reporting, load balancing, and access control.

Parallels also offers a cloud-native, Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution that offers users secure, instant access to their virtual applications and desktop environments. Users can access these applications seamlessly through the Parallels Client, which is compatible with a wide range of devices. Furthermore, Parallels RAS can be deployed from on-premises infrastructure or across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments, offering organizations the flexibility to choose the best setup for their needs.

Why Do We Recommend It?

We recommend Parallels RAS for its flexibility, user-centric design, simplified management, robust security, and cost-effectiveness. I observed that it provides organizations with a comprehensive solution that meets the demands of modern work environments while maximizing productivity and minimizing IT overhead.

Who Is It Recommended For?

Parallels RAS is recommended for SMBs, remote teams, IT departments, and organizations that prioritize flexibility, security, and cost-effectiveness in their virtual desktop and application delivery strategies.

Pros:

Affordable Pricing: Offers competitive pricing, with a one-year subscription priced at $120 per concurrent user for a minimum of 15 users, making it accessible for teams of all sizes.
30-Day Free Trial: Users can take advantage of a 30-day free trial, allowing them to explore the features and benefits of Parallels RAS before committing to a subscription.
Fast Onboarding and Deployment: As an all-in-one solution, Parallels RAS offers fast onboarding and deployment times, combined with 24/7 support and free technical training.
Enhanced User Experience: The platform empowers end users to work and collaborate seamlessly in any remote environment, using their preferred devices.
Simplified Management: Parallels RAS simplifies the management of virtual applications and desktops with a single administrative console.

Cons:

Dependency on Internet Connectivity: As a cloud-based solution, the performance of Parallels RAS is reliant on stable Internet connectivity. Any network issues could impact user experience and access to applications.
Licensing Model: The concurrent user licensing model may not suit all organizations, particularly those with fluctuating user counts or those needing more flexible licensing options.

6. Workspot

Workspot is a cutting-edge cloud VDI solution designed to address the significant challenges organizations face with traditional on-premises VDI solutions. Recognizing these pain points, Workspot has reinvented VDI with an innovative architecture that leverages the massive scalability of public cloud platforms and employs Zero Trust Security principles.

Key Features:

Unified Client Access: Provides a seamless experience for users through the Workspot Client, allowing access to virtual desktops and applications from any device with ease.
Unified Management: IT teams benefit from Workspot Control, a centralized admin console that simplifies the provisioning and management of digital workplace deployments.
Unified Real-time Observability: Workspot Watch features a built-in analytics engine that offers real-time insights into the health of all active user sessions.
Unified Historical Observability: Workspot Trends is an end-to-end analytics tool that helps provide insights into the reasons behind any dissatisfaction and identifies when issues arise.
Maximized Efficiency and Cost Reduction: The Workspot digital workplace platform is designed to help organizations enhance efficiency and reduce costs across multiple dimensions.

The Workspot Enterprise VDI Platform delivers virtual desktops and applications tailored to the specific needs of each user, utilizing cloud services from Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services. This unique approach not only supports multi-cloud and hybrid strategies but also offers robust features for business continuity, disaster recovery, and high availability.

Why Do We Recommend It?

We recommend Workspot for its innovative approach to VDI, which addresses many of the common challenges faced by organizations using traditional on-premises solutions. I noticed that with its architecture designed for massive public cloud scale and Zero Trust Security, Workspot offers exceptional reliability, boasting a 99.99% availability rate.

Who is It Recommended For?

Workspot is suitable for mid to large-sized enterprises looking to simplify their VDI deployment while maximizing return on investment. It is also ideal for organizations with remote or hybrid workforces, as it allows employees to work from anywhere on any device without sacrificing performance.

Pros:

High Return on Investment (ROI): Workspot maximizes efficiencies and minimizes costs, helping organizations achieve the highest ongoing return on investment.
Industry-Leading Availability: Workspot claims to provide 99.99% availability. Its Workspot Global Desktop allows users to transition smoothly between virtual desktops, reducing disruptions and ensuring sustained productivity.
Business Agility: The platform supports hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, enabling organizations to adapt to various use cases and business needs quickly.
Increased Productivity: Workspot includes embedded business intelligence for data-driven performance tuning, allowing organizations to optimize user experiences and workflows.
Reduced Total Cost of Ownership: Organizations can start a pilot program in just one day and go live within 45 days, reducing the burden of resource-intensive updates and enabling automatic scaling.

Cons:

Learning Curve for IT Teams: IT teams may need time to familiarize themselves with the Workspot Control and analytics tools, which could initially affect management efficiency.