Amazon WorkSpaces vs Parallels DaaS

Amazon WorkSpaces9.3Visit Parallels DaaS8.8Visit

Higher score Amazon WorkSpaces #1 in Desktop as a Service Software 9.3/10 Paid Visit site

vs

Parallels DaaS #6 in Desktop as a Service Software 8.8/10 14-day trial Free trial Visit Parallels

• Amazon WorkSpaces fits best

  Mid-market and enterprise teams needing cloud desktops

• Parallels DaaS fits best

  Microsoft-focused teams using pooled desktops

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Side by side

Feature	Amazon WorkSpaces 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Parallels DaaS 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Desktop as a Service Software	#6 in Desktop as a Service Software
Best for	Mid-market and enterprise teams needing cloud desktops	Microsoft-focused teams using pooled desktops
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$25/device/mo	$9/user/mo (best)
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Phone, Email, Docs · 24/7
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Specs
Desktop persistence	Not checked yet	Non-persistent
Deployment model	Not checked yet	Public cloud
Desktop operating systems	Not checked yet	Microsoft Windows
Session protocols	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
User capacity	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Identity providers	Not checked yet	Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)
Our review
Pros	Supports Windows and Linux desktops, including GPU-enabled bundles Offers configurable compute, memory, and storage volumes Provides native clients, browser access, and monthly or hourly billing	Autoscaling pools and scheduling help match VM availability to demand. Web portal manages users, resources, images, and active sessions. Teams conferencing optimization works through the Windows App.
Cons	The $25 monthly example applies to a Windows Value Bundle in one AWS Region Pricing varies by Region, operating system, bundle, storage, and billing mode Support channels listed here are documentation only	Named user pricing requires an annual subscription and at least 15 users. A customer-managed Microsoft Azure subscription is required. Desktop changes reset at logoff unless retained through profile management.
Our verdict	Amazon WorkSpaces delivers fully managed cloud-hosted virtual desktops and applications for organizations that need desktop access across remote, hybrid, or on-site teams. Its stated use cases include task workers, contact centers,… Read the review →	Parallels DaaS delivers cloud-hosted virtual desktops and applications for organizations that need to provide remote workspaces. Its management portal covers users, resources, image templates, and sessions, while users connect through a… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Amazon WorkSpaces — where it wins

  • Supports Windows and Linux desktops, including GPU-enabled bundles
  • Offers configurable compute, memory, and storage volumes
  • Provides native clients, browser access, and monthly or hourly billing

  Where it doesn't

  • The $25 monthly example applies to a Windows Value Bundle in one AWS Region
  • Pricing varies by Region, operating system, bundle, storage, and billing mode
  • Support channels listed here are documentation only

• Parallels DaaS — where it wins

  • Autoscaling pools and scheduling help match VM availability to demand.
  • Web portal manages users, resources, images, and active sessions.
  • Teams conferencing optimization works through the Windows App.

  Where it doesn't

  • Named user pricing requires an annual subscription and at least 15 users.
  • A customer-managed Microsoft Azure subscription is required.
  • Desktop changes reset at logoff unless retained through profile management.

• Amazon WorkSpaces9.3/10 · Paid

  Managed Windows and Linux cloud desktops with flexible bundles and billing.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Parallels DaaS8.8/10 · 14-day trial

  A Microsoft-focused virtual desktop service with pooled autoscaling and non-persistent sessions.

  Visit ParallelsFull verdict →