Choosing between Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365

Today, various organizations are exploring hybrid workplaces. Note that rotating workers between working from the office and from home can promote work-life balance and increase productivity. Also, most companies are adopting this approach to tame the spread of the pandemic through physical distancing. However, not all work environments are the same. Particularly, remote employees remain productive if they have a seamless, secure, and familiar method of connecting and accessing their employer's workflows, networks, and data from outside the office. Additionally, remote workers may use a mix of network connections, company-issued devices, and personal devices to complete office tasks. The only problem is that if the security of personal devices is lax, they can be compromised, which can lead to the loss of valuable company data. Indeed, you can minimize disruptions in productivity by allowing team members to use familiar work processes, desktops, and applications. As much as that is the case, you cannot afford to overlook security, and Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) can address that. Microsoft has two DaaS options. These are Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).

Windows 365

Streaming the full experience of Windows OS through the internet is possible, thanks to Windows 365. After launching the service in July 2021, Microsoft claimed that it represents a new way for entities of all sizes to experience Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems in the cloud. That implies that Windows 365 is taking Windows OS to the cloud. In turn, that allows users to access their favorite Windows apps anytime and from anywhere, using any browser or device. The interesting bit is that running the Windows OS, its settings, and its apps in an actual Windows environment is possible through Windows 365.So, users do not need to rely on an emulated or virtualized platform whether they are streaming to a macOS, Windows, IOS, Linux, or Android device due to the capabilities of Cloud PC.

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) was replaced by Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). AVD refers to a cloud-based service that allows firms to host and use Windows on the web. Note that before changing its pricing model and adding new features, Microsoft built the DaaS product on top of its Azure Cloud Services. Understand that both Microsoft and Microsoft Partners can handle Windows 365 and AVD DaaS's back-end, and both platforms run on Azure's cloud infrastructure.

Differences Between Windows 365 and AVD

Once Microsoft announced AVD in 2018, its initial reception was lackluster. The reason was that most entities were skeptical about moving their workflows to the cloud using Microsoft Azure Cloud Services. After that, China announced the first cases of COVID-19 in 2019.That is when health organizations started encouraging companies to allow employees to either practice social distancing if remote work was impossible or allow workers to work from home. In that case, the need to support remote work became critical, which was a compelling reason to move to Azure. Unfortunately, many firms did not have the dedicated IT resources or in-house skills necessary to manage WVD, nor did they require full customization. The solution, in this case, was a desktop virtualization infrastructure that would use such existing resources like familiar Windows apps, Windows 10 licenses, and the Microsoft Endpoint Manager portal. Eventually, such infrastructure would simplify rapid transitions. That is what led to the development and launch of Windows 365. Various aspects differentiate Windows 365 from AVD, and here are some of them.

1. Pricing Model

Windows 365 offers fixed pricing, although it is a subscription-based service. So, you will be paying a flat fee monthly depending on the Cloud PC configuration you choose. Also, regardless of the amount of time Windows 365 customers spend on their Cloud PCs, they can pay a per-user fee. On the contrary, AVD charges by consumption. That means that in the case of AVD, you will pay per usage monthly. Note that different rates will apply here depending on whether you are using a combination of desktop services and apps or apps alone. The Windows 10 or Windows 11 license you have will also affect AVD pricing.

2. Use Cases

Windows 365

There are several use cases where you will discover Windows 365 is better than AVD, and below are some of them.

• ‍24/7 Desktop Access: When using AVD, auto-scaling is a common way to save on Azure costs. On the other hand, Cloud PCs run round the clock, and you will not save by shutting them down. So, Windows 365 is more cost-effective and easy to deploy and manage for users who need to access their Cloud PC at any time of the day or night.
• ‍Applicability to Small Environments: Windows 365 Business is the ideal option in an IT setting with less than ten desktops. That is the case since Windows 365 does not require pre-requisites. For example, a storage location for FSLogix containers and an Active Directory configuration will not be necessary.
• ‍Personalizing Local Admin Rights and Desktops: Cloud PCs are dedicated and personalized for individual users. Such users may require configuration changes requiring local administrator rights, or they may need to administer their PCs by installing software. When that is the case, Windows 365 allows IT to delegate administration of Cloud PCs to users.

AVD

Here are some of the use cases where AVD may work better than Windows 365.

• ‍Cost Management: If you need to consolidate several users on a shared VM (Virtual Machine) or when cost is a primary consideration, AVD becomes the ideal option. Note that in the case of Windows 365, the number of users with assigned Cloud PCs will determine the cost, regardless of actual usage. On the other hand, the number of concurrent users will determine the cost of AVD infrastructure, which, in most cases, is lower than users assigned to desktops.
• ‍RemoteApp Application Streaming: Sometimes, a published application is better than a complete Windows desktop session. When that is the case, one should opt for a published RemoteApp application. Understand that AVD will work better in this case since publishing Remote Apps from Windows 365 Cloud PCs is not possible.
• ‍Environments with Fluctuating Desktop Requirements: Once you purchase Windows 365 licenses, they will be available for use, and you will incur the cost whether users are using their desktops or not. That is so because Windows 365 licenses have monthly subscriptions. So, if the number of virtual desktop users within your IT environment fluctuates throughout the month, you should consider investing in AVD.By doing so, you will only incur costs when users consume the resources.

3. Architecture

Although Windows 365 and AVD share the same global control plane and run on top of the Azure cloud architecture, their deployment differs. Windows 365 relies on cloud-based computers, and the Cloud PCs are permanently dedicated to individual users. AVD, on the other hand, makes use of session host virtual machines (VMs). That suggests that AVD users can optimize cloud costs based on usage through reserved instances and auto-scaling. Also, you can use AVD session host VMs as pooled desktops and personal computers.

Conclusion

If you are considering the best option between Windows 365 and AVD, you need to establish the requirements of your organization first. That way, you will identify the cloud-based platform that will help you achieve the most once you analyze the capabilities of the two.