The Top 6 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Solutions
Discover the top Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions with features like in-built security, broad compatibility, compliance controls, and added support for graphics-heavy applications.
Written by Caitlin Harris
Technical Review by Laura Iannini
-
1.
Amazon WorkSpaces
-
2.
Citrix DaaS
-
3.
Dizzion-Frame DaaS Complete
-
4.
Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop
-
5.
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions enable organizations to implement a type of IT infrastructure that enables employees to access corporate resources from anywhere, on any device—including tablets and cell phones. VDI solutions are based on a single, centralized server, which is split into multiple Virtual Machines (VMs). These, in turn, host virtual desktops, which can be delivered to users on-demand. Users can access virtual desktops—and all the apps and files stored on them—via a secure desktop client or browser, then interact with them as though they were running locally on their endpoint.
VDI is a highly cost-effective way for IT departments to provision, manage, and secure their organization’s IT infrastructure. It reduces costs associated with hardware provisioning and upgrades, improves security by removing the risk of corporate data being stored on unsecured user endpoints, improves productivity by enabling uses to access their desktop via multiple devices, and enables secure, remote access to corporate resources.
Because of this, VDI implementations are particularly popular amongst:
- Organizations with remote workers
- Organizations with a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policy that allows users to access company resources on their own personal devices
- Organizations with employees working in shifts (e.g., call centers and retail settings) and use the same software to perform a limited number of tasks
- Development, engineering, and design organizations that rely on graphic-heavy applications and have high storage requirements
- Healthcare organizations and educational institutions that need to limit access to sensitive data based on user profiles (e.g., a doctor only being able to access the records of their own patient, or a teacher only accessing their own students records)
In this article, we’ll explore the best virtual desktop infrastructure solutions. These include features such as on-prem and multi-cloud compatibility, device and OS compatibility, in-built security, and compliance controls, with added support for graphics-heavy applications via NVIDIA vGPU. We’ll give you some background information on the provider and the key features of each solution, as well as the type of customer that they are most suitable for.
Amazon WorkSpaces
Amazon WorkSpaces is a cloud-based virtual desktop service that offers secure access to data and applications stored on AWS via browser or native client applications.
Who it’s for: Organizations of all sizes, particularly those with remote or hybrid workforces, IT, and development teams.
Benefits: Amazon WorkSpaces provides comprehensive and persistent virtual desktops for hybrid and remote workers.
- Operates as fully managed and cloud-based solution, making it easy to deploy via the centralized AWS Management Console.
- Easily scalable, up or down, without the risk of over-provisioning, with scalable and hourly billing ensuring that you only pay for what you use.
- Persistent Desktops-Users’ changes are stored and maintained, making it well-suited for development and IT teams.
- Multi-platform access allows users to securely access their desktops on Windows, Linux, and Ubuntu devices.
- Virtual desktops are streamed to users on demand, ensuring secure and reliable access to applications.
The bottom line: Amazon WorkSpaces provides a scalable and secure virtual desktop solution, perfect for businesses with remote or hybrid workforces. Its ease of deployment and flexible pricing make it an agile choice for organizations looking to provide secure, efficient access to data and applications in the cloud.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services) was launched in 2006 and has 10,000+ active users, facilitating access to cloud technologies and services.
Amazon WorkSpaces
Citrix DaaS
Citrix Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a leading, fully managed VDI solution that provides secure app and desktop virtualization accessible from any device.
Who it’s for: Organization’s looking to deliver secure apps and desktops with complete control over aps, policies and users. Ideal for teams looking for flexible and hybrid deployments, particularly healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, governmental, and retail sectors.
Benefits: Citrix DaaS delivers secure and optimized app and desktop virtualization with a focus on the end user experience and admin controls.
- Ensures a seamless user experience with optimized connections for communication tools and 3D applications, even under low bandwidth conditions.
- Offers granular admin controls, user session recording, and user behavior analytics to prevent and identify unauthorized access, ensuring robust security measures are in place.
- Supports multi-cloud environments with compatibility for platforms like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
- Provides central management for both cloud and on-prem workloads, simplifying administrative tasks like managing performance optimization.
- Flexible pricing options allow businesses to tailor security and ensure they have the analytics features they need.
The bottom line: Citrix DaaS stands out for its secure, scalable, and highly optimized virtual desktop experience, making it a valuable choice for organizations using cloud, multi-cloud, or hybrid environments.
- Citrix, founded in 1989, offer a popular suite of enterprise remote access and endpoint management solutions.
Citrix DaaS
Dizzion-Frame DaaS Complete
Dizzion-Frame DaaS Complete offers comprehensive managed Desktop-as-a-Service solutions that are compatible with various cloud environments. It delivers virtual desktops to remote users on any device.
Who it’s for: Enterprises, healthcare, finance institutions, and organizations needing to securely manage remote workers or task workers in environments like retail, call centers, and help desks.
Benefits: Dizzion provides a robust and flexible virtual desktop infrastructure solutions. It is designed for seamless integration with major cloud providers and offers strong compliance and security features.
- Supports a wide range of cloud environments including IBM Cloud, Azure, Google Cloud, VMware vSphere, AWS, and Nutanix AHV.
- The platform is PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 Type II compliant, ensuring regulatory adherence for sensitive data.
- Admins can access a management portal for real-time usage reports and solution management.
- Fully managed options include managed infrastructure, patching, updates, RMM, and backups, with optional add-ons for threat detection, antivirus, software distribution, and helpdesk tools.
The bottom line: Dizzion stands out for its strong performance and security features. Its comprehensive compliance support and managed services make the platform accessible to all industries.
- Dizzion is a combined entity formed in May 2023 through the merger of Nutanix Frame and Dizzion.
Dizzion-Frame DaaS Complete
Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop is a VDI solution that runs on Azure delivers deliver a full Windows experience for Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows Server. It can also be used to deliver individual apps.
Who it’s for: Organizations using Azure looking to set up a cost effective and scalable desktop virtualization environment for many use cases.
Benefits: Azure Virtual Desktop excels in providing a secure and compliant experience. Enables teams to create a full Windows desktop virtualization environment in Azure, with a unified management admin console.
- Supports a full Windows 10 or 11 desktop experience on a range of devices, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and HTML5 clients.
- Admins can manage users, deploy applications, and configure network and security settings from a centralized management portal.
- Includes robust, built-in security features via the Azure security stack, comprising Azure Firewall, Azure Security Center, Azure Sentinel, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
- Supports conditional Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and role-based access controls, ensuring that robust security is at the forefront of the solution.
- Compliant with major standards such as HIPAA, PCI, and FedRAMP, making it reliable for industries with stringent data protection and privacy requirements.
The bottom line: Azure Virtual Desktop is a cost-effective and secure remote desktop solution. Thanks to its integrated security features and compliance with key industry regulations, it stands out as a strong option for organizations requiring high levels of security and regulatory adherence.
- Microsoft, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, serves millions of clients globally across various sectors.
Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is a virtual app and desktop delivery solution designed for secure access to company desktops and applications for remote users.
Who it’s for: Ideal for mid-market to enterprise businesses requiring a secure VDI solution to support remote and hybrid work environments. It’s well suited to healthcare, education, manufacturing, gaming, government, and retail sectors.
Benefits: Parallels RAS provides robust high-level security and centralized management for remote access to virtual desktops and applications on any device.
- Ensures secure access with central file storage, advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and granular access policies at the user, group, and device levels.
- It can be used out-of-the-box and offers configuration wizards for easier deployment and integration.
- Allows centralized management of both on-prem and multi-cloud workloads, including Azure, AVD, and AWS.
- Delivers detailed graphic reports on traffic and resource usage, aiding in auditing, security, and compliance.
- Includes 24/7 support and free technical training to maximize the solution’s effectiveness.
The bottom line: Parallels RAS enables secure remote access and central management of virtual desktops and applications, making it a reliable option for SMBs and MSPs.
- Founded in 2000, Parallels offers virtualization solutions with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, and serves a wide range of clients globally.
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
V2 Cloud
V2 Cloud is a desktop virtualization platform that delivers secure and simple-to-manage virtual Windows desktops.
Who it’s for: Small businesses, educational institutions, and developers needing remote access solutions.
Benefits: V2 Cloud provides secure and user-friendly virtual desktops, featuring comprehensive admin management tools and security features
- Admins can manage cloud resources, control user settings, adjust security features, and handle billing from a centralized console.
- Supports multi-user desktops on Windows Server OS for up to 250 users, as well as single-user desktops for Windows 10.
- Flexible access options via a web app, desktop, mobile, or Raspberry Pi app, including screen sharing, printing, and file transfers.
- Security features include daily backups, antivirus protection, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and an IPsec VPN.
- Complete technical support via phone, email, and live chat, ensuring ongoing assistance and reliability.
The bottom line: V2 Cloud is a strong VDI solution for business owners and IT managers requiring a secure and easy-to-manage virtual desktop solution. Its combination of robust security features and versatile user access options makes it an effective solution for organizations needing a reliable and efficient virtual desktop solution.
- V2 Cloud was founded in 2012 and is based in Montreal, Quebec.
V2 Cloud
FAQs
What Is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)?
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is a type of enterprise IT infrastructure that allows employees to access their company’s computer systems from anywhere, on almost any device, without the organization having to provide them with a physical machine or workstation. Instead, users can use their own personal computers, laptops, tablets, or cell phones to access company resources via a secure browser or desktop client. This makes VDI a very cost-effective way for IT departments to manage and secure their organization’s infrastructure. It also makes VDI a great way of provisioning access for remote workers, contractors, and partners.
How Does VDI Work?
VDI uses a hypervisor to segment a centralized (on-prem or cloud) server into virtual machines, which host virtual desktops. These desktops can then be delivered to users as needed. End users can then access these virtual desktops (and all the resources stored within them, such as applications and files), via a secure desktop client or browser, then interact with them as though they were running locally on their endpoint.
There are two main types of VDI: persistent and non-persistent.
With persistent VDI, a user connects to the same desktop every time they log in, and any changes they make are stored even after the connection is reset. This means that users can personalize their desktop’s layout, applications, and settings. This type of VDI is popular amongst developers and IT professionals who will be using the same services multiple times.
With non-persistent VDI, users will connect to a default virtual desktop each time. This desktop will not save any changes that the user makes, though files can be saved within a shared drive. Because of this, non-persistent VDI implementations are generally available at a lower cost to persistent VDI. They’re most popular for knowledge or task workers who need one-off access to a virtual desktop to carry out a certain set of tasks (e.g., in a call center or retail setting), and don’t need high levels of customization or to work on an ongoing project. This type of desktop cannot be user-specific.
What Are The Benefits Of VDI?
VDI can be complex to implement, so it isn’t for every organization. However, it does offer a wealth of benefits to organizations that are able to navigate the initial implementation.
The top benefits of implementing VDI include:
- Secure, seamless remote access. With VDI, users can connect to their desktop from any location and using any device.
- Hardware cost reductions. VDI works well among organizations that allow the use of personal (BYOD) devices. But it can also help reduce costs for organizations that do want to provision their employees with corporate devices. This is because VDI completes all processing on the server, not the endpoint, thereby reducing hardware requirements for endpoints. This means that users can access the virtual desktop from older devices and thin clients, rather than needing the latest model to be able to connect.
- Improved security. VDI implementations store data on the central server, rather than on users’ endpoints. This ensures that corporate data remains secure if a user’s device is lost, stolen, or compromised. It also ensures that personal and corporate data are kept separate from one another, which is a common challenge among organizations with a BYOD policy. Finally, it makes it easier to create backups, as you need only backup—and, in the event of a data loss incident, restore files to—a single server.
- Simplified management. Admins can manage and maintain their VDI implementation centrally, making it much easier for them to provision, manage, maintain, and secure the desktops within their network.
- Improved productivity. If a user can’t access the virtual desktop due to a problem with their device, they can simply sign in using a different device, such as a tablet or cell phone. This is much quicker than having to wait for an admin to resolve the issue before being able to carry on with their work.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Vs. Desktop Virtualization Vs. Virtual Machines: What’s The Difference?
“Desktop virtualization” refers to any type of technology that separates a desktop environment from the hardware that’s used to access it. So, VDI is a type of desktop virtualization, but it isn’t the only type of desktop virtualization. Other forms of virtualization include remote desktop services (RDS) and Remote Desktop-as-a-Service (RDaaS).
Virtual machines (VMs) are a type of software used within VDI. VMs are created when a hypervisor separates a physical server into multiple virtual servers in a process called “server virtualization”. These virtual servers can be used for many different things—including running a virtual desktop within a VDI implementation.
Written By
Caitlin Harris is Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. Caitlin is an experienced writer and journalist, with years of experience producing award-winning technical training materials and journalistic content. Caitlin holds a First Class BA in English Literature and German, and provides our content team with strategic editorial guidance as well as carrying out detailed research to create articles that are accurate, engaging and relevant. Caitlin co-hosts the Expert Insights Podcast, where she interviews world-leading B2B tech experts.
Technical Review
Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.