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Head-to-head · Cloud PC Services

Azure Virtual Desktop vs Amazon WorkSpaces

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Azure Virtual Desktop #1 in Cloud PC Services 9.4/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Azure
Amazon WorkSpaces #3 in Cloud PC Services 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit site

Azure Virtual Desktop leads on 0 checks, Amazon WorkSpaces on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAzure Virtual Desktop · 9.4/10

Azure Virtual Desktop scores higher on our rubric for cloud pc services: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Azure Virtual Desktop is the better fit for enterprise Windows virtual desktop deployments. Amazon WorkSpaces is the better fit for AWS-based Windows or Linux desktops.

  • Azure Virtual Desktop fits best

    Enterprise Windows virtual desktop deployments

  • Amazon WorkSpaces fits best

    AWS-based Windows or Linux desktops

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Side by side

Feature Azure Virtual Desktop 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Amazon WorkSpaces 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Cloud PC Services #3 in Cloud PC Services
Best for Enterprise Windows virtual desktop deployments AWS-based Windows or Linux desktops
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $25/device/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Community, Docs, Email, Phone, Live chat Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Azure Virtual Desktop 2/2 · Amazon WorkSpaces 2/2
GPU option ✓ ✓
Dedicated resources ✓ ✓
Specs
Desktop OS Windows Not checked yet
Included storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Access platforms Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Chrome OS, web browser windows, macos, linux, ios, android, web
Session persistence Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Supports pooled, personal, RemoteApp, Windows Server, and GPU scenarios
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android access
  • Integrates with Microsoft 365, Entra ID, FSLogix, and Azure services
  • Supports managed Windows and Linux cloud desktops
  • Offers GPU bundles, custom images, and configurable resources
  • Provides native clients, browser access, and flexible billing modes
Cons
  • There is no free plan
  • Costs vary with compute, storage, networking, licensing, region, and purchase option
  • Customers manage session-host virtual machines and related Azure infrastructure
  • Pricing varies by Region, operating system, bundle, storage, and billing mode
  • No free plan is available
  • Nested virtualization is limited to supported non-GPU DCV bundles
Our verdict

Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft's Azure-based service for delivering Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server desktops and applications. It suits organizations that need centralized virtual desktop deployments, pooled multi-session…

Read the review →

Amazon WorkSpaces is a fully managed desktop-as-a-service platform for delivering cloud-hosted virtual desktops and applications through AWS. It supports Windows and several Linux distributions, with configurable compute, memory, root…

Read the review →
  1. Azure Virtual DesktopCloud PC Services 9.4Paid
  2. Amazon WorkSpacesCloud PC Services 8.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Azure Virtual Desktop — where it wins

    • Supports pooled, personal, RemoteApp, Windows Server, and GPU scenarios
    • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android access
    • Integrates with Microsoft 365, Entra ID, FSLogix, and Azure services

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan
    • Costs vary with compute, storage, networking, licensing, region, and purchase option
    • Customers manage session-host virtual machines and related Azure infrastructure

  • Amazon WorkSpaces — where it wins

    • Supports managed Windows and Linux cloud desktops
    • Offers GPU bundles, custom images, and configurable resources
    • Provides native clients, browser access, and flexible billing modes

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing varies by Region, operating system, bundle, storage, and billing mode
    • No free plan is available
    • Nested virtualization is limited to supported non-GPU DCV bundles
  • Azure Virtual Desktop9.4/10 · Paid

    A broad Azure-based platform for enterprise Windows desktops, apps, GPU workloads, and administration.

    Visit AzureFull verdict →
  • Amazon WorkSpaces8.9/10 · Paid

    A flexible AWS desktop service for Windows and Linux environments with GPU options.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All cloud PC services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update