When you’re evaluating virtual desktop platforms, it’s easy to start with the biggest names. Azure Virtual Desktop, also known as AVD, often tops the list for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
But just because it’s widely known doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for every team.
Before committing to a platform as foundational as your virtual desktop environment, it’s worth understanding exactly what AVD is, how it works, and where it fits in the bigger picture. Let’s start there.
What Is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and How Does It Work?
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is Microsoft’s cloud-based virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution. It allows you to deliver Windows desktops and applications to end users through the Microsoft Azure cloud. With AVD, you’re no longer tied to physical machines or local setups, you operate entirely from the cloud.
At its core, AVD runs on top of the AVD control plane, which manages user sessions, broker connections, and enforces user settings. Behind the scenes, it relies on several building blocks:
- Microsoft Azure for infrastructure, virtual machines, storage, and networking
- Windows Server and Active Directory (or Azure AD) for authentication and policy management
- Session hosts (typically Windows 10 or 11 multi-session) that deliver desktops to users
- FSLogix containers to manage user profiles
You can think of it as an elastic data center in the cloud—scalable, centralized, and managed (in part) by you.
Users connect to their virtual desktops from nearly any device and can run full desktop sessions or individual apps, depending on how it’s configured.
AVD provides flexibility and scale, but also comes with technical dependencies that can affect cost, performance, and administrative complexity.
Next, let’s look at why many organizations are actively searching for an Azure Virtual Desktop alternative.
Why Are Businesses Looking for an Azure Virtual Desktop Alternative?
While Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) offers flexibility and cloud-native scalability, many businesses are starting to ask whether it’s truly the right fit long-term. The reason? A mix of cost, complexity, and control.
One of the biggest concerns is infrastructure cost. AVD runs entirely on Microsoft Azure, which means you’re billed for compute, storage, and network usage.
Egress bandwidth, persistent disks, and the need for multiple services—like FSLogix profile containers, Active Directory, and Nerdio Manager, can cause pricing to creep far beyond expectations. This is often referred to as azure consumption drift.
Another challenge is the admin interface. Managing the AVD control plane, deploying hosts, handling profile management, and tuning policies across users often requires skilled IT administrators and deep Azure knowledge.
Then there’s latency, especially if your users are geographically distant from available Azure regions. Access from unmanaged devices (BYOD setups, student laptops, or remote contractors) also requires additional configuration, VPN workarounds, and security layers.
Finally, disaster recovery and failover planning add yet another layer of architectural complexity.
For these reasons, many organizations are now exploring a more cost-effective, streamlined Azure Virtual Desktop alternative, without giving up core functionality.
How Does Azure Virtual Desktop Compare to Other Platforms?
Choosing a virtual desktop platform isn’t just about sticking with what’s familiar. It’s about balancing cost, security, performance, and ease of use, for both end users and IT.
Let’s take a closer look at how Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) stacks up against other well-known platforms:
Comparison Table: Azure Virtual Desktop vs Alternatives
| Feature / Platform | Azure Virtual Desktop | Amazon WorkSpaces | VMware Horizon Cloud / Omnissa | Apporto (Browser-Based) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment Model | Cloud (Azure only) | Cloud (AWS) | Hybrid / Cloud / On-prem | 100% Browser-Based Cloud |
| Pricing Complexity | High (Azure services) | Moderate | High (infra + licensing) | Transparent, all-inclusive |
| Admin Complexity | High | Moderate | High | Low (No local config needed) |
| Profile Management | FSLogix required | Built-in basic tools | Roaming profiles or FSLogix | Included, no extra setup |
| Unmanaged Devices Support | Requires tuning | Yes (limited) | Yes (but config-heavy) | Native (just a browser) |
| Security | Strong w/ Azure config | AWS-integrated | Depends on setup | Zero Trust, browser-isolated |
| Ideal Use Case | Enterprises on Azure | AWS-native workloads | VDI veterans | EDU, SMBs, hybrid teams |
Each platform has strengths. Amazon WorkSpaces is ideal for AWS-heavy shops. VMware Horizon Cloud suits enterprises familiar with complex VDI setups.
But for organizations needing fast deployment, minimal infrastructure, and easier access for diverse users, a browser-based alternative like Apporto offers simplicity without compromising core features.
Next, we’ll dive into what to look for when choosing an AVD alternative.
What Features Should You Look for in an AVD Alternative?
Not all virtual desktop platforms are created equal. If you’re exploring an Azure Virtual Desktop alternative, it helps to define the features that truly matter, both for your users and your IT team.
Here are the must-haves:
1. Secure Access for Remote Work
Your platform should provide secure access by default, whether users are working from home, on the road, or from unmanaged devices. Zero Trust principles and browser-based access help reduce risk.
2. Multi-Session & Named User Support
Flexible licensing is important. Look for support for multi-session desktops, named users, or individual users, depending on how your organization operates.
3. Smart Auto-Scaling
Efficient use of compute resources matters. Platforms that offer auto scaling can reduce infrastructure waste and cost.
4. Simplified Profile Management
No one wants to manage user profiles manually. Choose a solution with built-in or automated profile management tools that don’t require extra configuration.
5. Unified Access Portal
A single portal where users can find their apps, desktops, and user settings keeps things streamlined.
6. Platform Compatibility
Support for Windows, Linux, on-premises, and cloud deployments ensures you won’t outgrow the solution.
If an alternative doesn’t offer these basics, you’re likely trading one set of limitations for another. Next, let’s talk about the hidden costs of sticking with AVD.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Azure Virtual Desktop?
The price tag on Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) doesn’t always tell the full story. While it may look cost-effective at a glance, the real cost lies in the details, many of which don’t appear until after deployment.
Let’s break it down:
1. Azure Consumption
AVD operates on Azure’s consumption model, meaning you pay based on your compute, storage, and usage patterns. Costs can escalate quickly if you’re not actively managing session hours and scaling.
2. Storage Costs
Each user’s desktop session requires persistent disk space. You’ll pay for both active and idle usage. Backups, snapshots, and FSLogix containers further increase storage costs.
3. Egress Bandwidth Charges
Every time data leaves Azure to reach a user device, it counts as egress, and it’s not free. This becomes a significant cost for video, file-heavy workloads, or international users.
4. Layered Licensing
You may also need to license Windows, Intune, profile containers, and sometimes a third-party manager like Nerdio, stacking costs and increasing infrastructure complexity.
5. Long-Term Hardware Commitment
Even though it’s in the cloud, the reality is that you’re still allocating virtual hardware, which leads to long-term infrastructure costs unless auto-scaling is perfectly tuned.
When comparing platforms, it’s not just about what you pay upfront, it’s about maintaining full control over what you pay later.
How Do User Experience and Admin Complexity Compare Across Platforms?
When evaluating virtual desktop solutions, user experience and admin complexity are two sides of the same coin. One directly impacts the other. And not all platforms strike the right balance.
User Experience Matters
With Azure Virtual Desktop, users often encounter inconsistent session quality. Latency can spike depending on which Azure region the virtual machines are hosted in. Logging in from different devices can lead to unpredictable load times, especially when user profiles aren’t synced properly via FSLogix or other tools.
Even basic access can feel clunky when users are juggling separate logins, software installs, and endpoint settings. The experience is rarely seamless.
Admin Complexity Adds Up
AVD’s admin interface involves multiple moving parts: Active Directory, Intune, Nerdio Manager, FSLogix, and more. Managing desktops requires scripting, manual policies, and constant maintenance.
That fragmentation means IT teams spend more time configuring than supporting.
What’s the Best Azure Virtual Desktop Alternative for Remote Access and Simplicity?
If you’re looking for a true Azure Virtual Desktop alternative, one that removes the friction of complex setup while delivering a smooth virtual desktop experience, Apporto stands out.
Apporto is a cloud-native, browser-based platform designed for organizations that want fast, secure remote access, without the need for infrastructure build-out, client installs, or deep configuration.
No Installs, No Infrastructure
You don’t need to manage session hosts, storage, or servers. Users just open a browser, log in, and gain secure access to their apps and desktops from anywhere. It supports Windows and Linux environments and works on virtually any device.
Security by Design
Built with Zero Trust principles, Apporto keeps data secure while providing real-time desktop virtualization. There’s no need for FSLogix containers or manual profile syncing.
Scales Faster, With Less IT Overhead
No golden images. No patch cycles. No complex policy scripting. Apporto scales up or down automatically, giving IT full control without the operational drag.
For teams that want to spend less time managing infrastructure and more time getting work done, Apporto is a cost-effective, high-performing alternative that removes the barriers to cloud adoption.
Looking Beyond AVD: Why Apporto Is Worth Considering
For many organizations, the question isn’t whether Azure Virtual Desktop works, it’s whether the complexity and hidden costs make sense long term. This is where Apporto becomes an attractive Azure Virtual Desktop alternative.
Apporto delivers a virtual desktop environment that runs entirely in the browser. That means no heavy infrastructure, no client installs, and no complicated FSLogix setups.
You get fast, secure remote access from any device, while IT teams maintain full control through a single, simplified platform.
It’s designed to be cost effective without stripping away features. Auto-scaling keeps data and resources optimized, while Zero Trust security ensures sensitive information stays protected. Whether you’re supporting students, employees, or contractors, Apporto provides the simplicity AVD lacks, without sacrificing capability. Try Apporto Now
Final Thoughts – Choosing the Right Alternative to Azure Virtual Desktop
Choosing a virtual desktop environment is not a decision to rush. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is undeniably powerful, offering deep integration into the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
But power often comes with complexity, added cost, and steep learning curves. For some, those trade-offs make sense. For many others, they don’t.
If your organization values predictable pricing, smoother onboarding, and fewer moving parts, it’s worth weighing an Azure Virtual Desktop alternative.
Solutions like Apporto show that you can achieve secure remote access, scalability, and centralized control without the operational headaches that come with AVD.
Ultimately, the right platform depends on your priorities—whether that’s advanced customization, cost savings, or a focus on simplicity. Evaluate what your teams truly need: reliable data protection, performance that adapts to demand, and access that works across every device.
When you look closely, the best alternative is the one that reduces friction while still delivering on the promise of virtual desktops.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Azure Virtual Desktop the same as Citrix or VMware?
No. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is Microsoft’s native cloud-based virtual desktop platform hosted on Azure. Citrix and VMware Horizon Cloud (Omnissa) are third-party providers that can either integrate with AVD or act as full replacements, depending on the architecture and organizational requirements.
2. What are the biggest challenges with Azure Virtual Desktop?
The most common issues are complexity and hidden costs. AVD depends on multiple services like Active Directory, FSLogix, and Intune, making deployment and management more difficult without experienced administrators. Costs tied to Azure consumption, storage, and licensing often catch organizations off guard.
3. Can I use Azure Virtual Desktop on unmanaged devices?
Yes, but it comes with limitations. Using AVD on unmanaged devices requires extra steps to enforce secure access, and performance may drop on older hardware. Additional policies and network configurations are often needed to ensure compliance and protect sensitive data.
4. What’s the best Azure Virtual Desktop alternative for simplicity?
For organizations wanting less complexity, Apporto provides a zero-install, browser-based approach. It eliminates infrastructure build-out, profile containers, and constant patching. This makes it especially appealing for education and mid-sized businesses where IT teams prefer simplicity without sacrificing secure remote access or performance.
5. Does AVD support Linux and non-Windows devices?
AVD supports some Linux clients and web-based access, but compatibility can be inconsistent across devices. Alternatives often provide broader coverage, supporting Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, and Linux through a browser, without requiring custom configurations or additional software installs. Learn more about how virtual desktops are transforming remote work.
