12 October 2022

Today, a lot of businesses are addressing challenges with a hybrid workforce and preparing to implement a flexible working model. They are either considering switching to cloud-based Virtual Desktop solutions or have already made an investment in them. These technologies have made it possible for businesses to stop worrying about sacrificing their asset security or efficiency.

To meet these end-user computing needs, Microsoft provides two of the greatest cloud desktop services, Windows 365 and AVD. Which choice fits you the best? To assist you in making an educated choice, this article will discuss some of the major distinctions between Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop.

What is Windows 365?

Windows 365 is a cloud-hosted desktop solution for organizations that want to provide their employees with a familiar experience regardless of where they are accessing their data. Whether employees are accessing their data from a virtual desktop, laptop, or mobile device, they get the same Windows 10 experience.

It offers the simplicity of a subscription model with the flexibility to choose between Azure or Microsoft 365. Windows 365 is an on-premises solution available via an annual Software Assurance agreement. Organizations that subscribe to Windows 365 get access to the full desktop OS, as well as management tools, support, and updates. It is a great option for organizations that already have a software environment in place and want to maintain control of the infrastructure.

What is Azure Virtual Desktop?

Azure Virtual Desktop is a full-featured, cloud-based virtual desktop service hosted in Azure. This solution is best suited for organizations that want to provide their employees with a consistent experience and require a high level of control and customization. AVD combines the power of the Azure Cloud with the flexibility of virtual desktop infrastructure. Due to the level of control and customization available with AVD, organizations have the ability to select the level of customization that’s right for them.

With Azure Virtual Desktop, organizations can select from a variety of Azure VM sizes, select the operating system to be deployed, and configure the application and desktop environment. There are also options for single sign-on, Azure AD, and Azure AD Premium.

Azure Virtual Desktop vs Windows 365 

Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 both offer a consistent experience and are primarily used for remote and mobile users. Both options are subscription-based and offer a managed service, support, and regular updates. Here are some key differences between the two services.

Operating System and Control Plane

Windows 365 offers a customized Windows 10 or 11 desktop experience. It is designed to provide simple implementation and is a Microsoft-managed end-to-end solution.

AVD supports multi-session Windows 11, 10, and 7 Enterprise, Windows Server 2019, 2016, and 2012 R2 environments. The same Microsoft-managed global control plane managed both Windows 365 and AVD.

Storage

Windows 365 offers completely managed storage (limited storage) at a fixed fee with the intention of streamlining configuration and use (per-user-per-month model). Additionally, as Windows 365 only provides single-session desktops for users, FSLogix container technology is not available for them.

Networking

The Enterprise edition of Windows 365 offers entirely customer-managed networking with adaptable routing, IPs, and security. You can make a network adapter that connects to your tenant. Both your on-premises and your Azure resources are accessible to your users that sign into Windows 365 Enterprise.

VMs are produced under the customer’s Azure subscription while utilizing Azure Virtual Desktop. As a result, you have total control over the virtual network’s security, IP addresses, and network routing as well as the adaptability of a usage-based pricing model.

Management 

Azure Virtual Desktop offers a more robust management experience and includes single sign-on, Azure AD, and Azure AD Premium. Windows 365 has a management console and a range of tools and utilities for management, as well as support.

Onboarding

The onboarding procedure for AVD takes place via the Azure portal and can take several weeks to complete. Microsoft, on the other hand, will provide your login information for Windows 365 once you pay and pick your chosen hard disk, RAM, and CPU size. As a result, the onboarding process for Windows 365 is straightforward and only takes a few minutes or hours.

Pricing Model 

Depending on the setup of the customer’s Cloud PC, Windows 365 offers a fixed cost plan. Charges for Azure Virtual Desktop are determined by usage as well as the number of desktop services and apps you utilize.

Windows 365 vs Azure Virtual Desktop: Which is right for your organization?

The decision between Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop depends on your IT needs and requirements. Organizations that want a more flexible solution with more options for customization and local resources may want to consider AVD. If you already have an existing infrastructure and prefer to manage your own servers, Windows 365 may be the best option for your organization. The decision between Windows 365 and AVD ultimately comes down to your organization’s needs and requirements.

We are a managed IT service company specializing in the implementation and deployment of Microsoft products. Contact us for a consultation to determine which solution is best suited to your organization’s requirements.

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