Best Shells Alternatives in 2026
The top Shells alternatives are Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 and Amazon WorkSpaces: 15 cloud PC services our editors would look at instead of Shells, in our ranking order.
Shells: Persistent Windows and Linux desktops for browser and mobile access. Where it falls short: no free plan is offered.
Switching from Shells? For most cloud pc services buyers the best Shells alternative is Azure Virtual Desktop, built for enterprise Windows virtual desktop deployments. 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 a Shells Alternative
- No free plan is offered
- Access is limited to web, iOS, and Android
- Plans differ by usage limits, memory, storage, and processor capacity
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAzure Virtual Desktop9.4
Enterprise Windows virtual desktop deployments
Visit Azure Virtual Desktop - 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 Shells 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 forEnterprise Windows virtual desktop deployments
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.7
A broad Azure-based platform for enterprise Windows desktops, apps, GPU workloads, and administration.
- Dedicated resources
- GPU option
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Azure -
Best forManaged personal Windows Cloud PCs
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.7
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
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 6.7
A low-cost persistent Windows RDP desktop with administrator access and dedicated IPs.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudzy -
Best forAffordable dedicated Windows 11 desktops
- Better than Shells:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.7
Affordable dedicated Windows 11 desktops with administrator rights and persistent storage.
- Dedicated resources
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Infosaic
Shells Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Shells?
Azure Virtual Desktop: #1 in our Cloud PC Services ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad Azure-based platform for enterprise Windows desktops, apps, GPU workloads, and administration.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Shells?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Cloudzy Desktop as a Service starts lowest, at $6.95/mo.
Why do people look for Shells alternatives?
No free plan is offered; Access is limited to web, iOS, and Android; Plans differ by usage limits, memory, storage, and processor capacity.
Which Shells alternative has the most included storage?
Shadow PC, with 256 GB.
How do I switch from Shells?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Shells 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 Shells.
How to Switch from Shells
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Shells 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 Shells.
Shells vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Desktop OS | GPU option | Dedicated resources | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Shells | No | 6.7 | ||||
| 1 | Azure Virtual Desktop | No | Windows | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Windows 365 | No | Windows | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Amazon WorkSpaces | No | $25/device/mo | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 4 | Nutanix Frame | No | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | ||
| 5 | Workspot Cloud PCs | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |||
| 6 | V2 Cloud | No | $35/user/mo | Windows | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 7 | Apporto Cloud Desktops | No | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | ||
| 8 | Dizzion Cloud PC | Windows | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 9 | Cloudalize Cloud Workstation | Windows | Yes | 7.9 | |||
| 10 | Vagon Cloud Computer | No | $7.99/mo | Windows | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 11 | Hinode | No | $0.10/GB usage-based | Linux | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 12 | Shadow PC | No | $29.99/mo | Windows | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 13 | MacinCloud | No | $25/mo | Macos | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 14 | Cloudzy Desktop as a Service | No | $6.95/mo | Windows | No | 7.4 | |
| 15 | Infosaic Cloud Virtual Desktop | No | $11.95/mo | Windows | Yes | 7.3 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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