Best Azure Virtual Desktop Alternatives in 2026
The top Azure Virtual Desktop alternatives are Windows 365, Amazon WorkSpaces and Nutanix Frame: 15 cloud PC services our editors would look at instead of Azure Virtual Desktop, in our ranking order.
Azure Virtual Desktop: A broad Azure-based platform for enterprise Windows desktops, apps, GPU workloads, and administration. Where it falls short: there is no free plan.
Switching from Azure Virtual Desktop? For most cloud pc services buyers the best Azure Virtual Desktop alternative is Windows 365, built for managed personal Windows Cloud PCs. On a budget, Cloudzy Desktop as a Service starts at $6.95/mo. Shadow PC offers the most included storage (256 GB).
Why People Look for an Azure Virtual Desktop Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallWindows 3659.2
Managed personal Windows Cloud PCs
Visit Windows 365 - Lowest priceCloudzy Desktop as a Service7.4
Paid plans from $6.95/mo
Visit Cloudzy Desktop as a Service - Most included storageShadow PC7.6
256 GB
Visit Shadow PC
All 15 Azure Virtual Desktop Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forManaged personal Windows Cloud PCs
Managed Windows Cloud PCs with Microsoft administration, identity, and security integrations.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Windows 365 -
Best forAWS-based Windows or Linux desktops
A flexible AWS desktop service for Windows and Linux environments with GPU options.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forHybrid-cloud and on-premises virtual desktops
A flexible virtual desktop platform for Windows and Linux across cloud and Nutanix environments.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Nutanix Frame -
Best forMulti-cloud enterprise desktop pools
A broad enterprise desktop service for multi-cloud pools, GPU workloads, and varied endpoints.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Workspot -
Best forDedicated Windows PCs with predictable tiers
Dedicated Windows cloud PCs with role-based tiers, GPU options, and broad device access.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit V2 Cloud -
Best forBrowser-first desktops for organizations
A flexible browser-first desktop service with strong management and integration options.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Apporto -
Best forManaged single-tenant enterprise desktops
A managed single-tenant Cloud PC service with flexible deployment and access options.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Dizzion -
Best forGPU workstations using Citrix Workspace
A flexible cloud workstation service for GPU-heavy Windows workloads and Citrix Workspace access.
- GPU option
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudalize -
Best forFlexible hourly Windows cloud computing
A flexible Windows cloud PC for hourly access to scalable CPU and GPU resources.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Vagon -
Best forPersistent Linux desktops for developers and AI
A persistent Linux cloud workstation with attachable GPUs and developer-focused access.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Hinode -
Best forWindows gaming and GPU-heavy personal use
A persistent Windows 11 cloud PC with RTX graphics for gaming and demanding software.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Shadow PC -
Best forRemote macOS development environments
A focused Mac cloud service with hourly access, managed plans, and dedicated servers.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit MacinCloud -
Best forLow-cost persistent Windows RDP desktops
A low-cost persistent Windows RDP desktop with administrator access and dedicated IPs.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudzy -
Best forAffordable dedicated Windows 11 desktops
Affordable dedicated Windows 11 desktops with administrator rights and persistent storage.
- Dedicated resources
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Infosaic -
Best forPersistent Windows or Linux desktops with backups
A flexible persistent cloud desktop service with Windows and Linux templates.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit ubiDesktop
Azure Virtual Desktop Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Azure Virtual Desktop?
Windows 365: #2 in our Cloud PC Services ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. Managed Windows Cloud PCs with Microsoft administration, identity, and security integrations.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Azure Virtual Desktop?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Cloudzy Desktop as a Service starts lowest, at $6.95/mo.
Why do people look for Azure Virtual Desktop alternatives?
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.
Which Azure Virtual Desktop alternative has the most included storage?
Shadow PC, with 256 GB.
How do I switch from Azure Virtual Desktop?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Azure Virtual Desktop server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Azure Virtual Desktop.
How to Switch from Azure Virtual Desktop
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Azure Virtual Desktop server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Azure Virtual Desktop.
Azure Virtual Desktop vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Desktop OS | GPU option | Dedicated resources | Included storage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azure Virtual Desktop | No | Windows | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | ||
| 1 | Windows 365 | No | Windows | Yes | Yes | 128 GB | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Amazon WorkSpaces | No | $25/device/mo | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | ||
| 3 | Nutanix Frame | No | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |||
| 4 | Workspot Cloud PCs | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||||
| 5 | V2 Cloud | No | $35/user/mo | Windows | Yes | Yes | 50 GB | 8.3 |
| 6 | Apporto Cloud Desktops | No | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |||
| 7 | Dizzion Cloud PC | Windows | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |||
| 8 | Cloudalize Cloud Workstation | Windows | Yes | 7.9 | ||||
| 9 | Vagon Cloud Computer | No | $7.99/mo | Windows | Yes | Yes | 75 GB | 7.8 |
| 10 | Hinode | No | $0.10/GB usage-based | Linux | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 11 | Shadow PC | No | $29.99/mo | Windows | Yes | Yes | 256 GB | 7.6 |
| 12 | MacinCloud | No | $25/mo | Macos | Yes | Yes | 120 GB | 7.5 |
| 13 | Cloudzy Desktop as a Service | No | $6.95/mo | Windows | No | 25 GB | 7.4 | |
| 14 | Infosaic Cloud Virtual Desktop | No | $11.95/mo | Windows | Yes | 90 GB | 7.3 | |
| 15 | ubiDesktop | No | Yes | Yes | 40 GB | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- Azure Virtual Desktop vs Windows 365
- Azure Virtual Desktop vs Amazon WorkSpaces
- Azure Virtual Desktop vs Nutanix Frame
- Azure Virtual Desktop vs Workspot Cloud PCs
- Azure Virtual Desktop vs V2 Cloud
- Azure Virtual Desktop vs Apporto Cloud Desktops
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update