Azure Virtual Desktop Reviews

Name: Azure Virtual Desktop
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.0 (6 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

6 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Azure Virtual Desktop?

Azure Virtual Desktop enables remote work by allowing employees to access their desktops and applications from anywhere, centralizing management, ensuring data security, and supporting collaboration.

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Azure Virtual Desktop is the #9 ranked solution in top Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions. PeerSpot users give Azure Virtual Desktop an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Azure Virtual Desktop is most commonly compared to Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service): Azure Virtual Desktop vs Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service). Azure Virtual Desktop is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 74% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 53% of all views.

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Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

May 2025

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Featured Azure Virtual Desktop reviews

Makarand-Shrikhande

Sr. Architect at LTI - Larsen & Toubro Infotech

The use cases include providing application access to users through Azure Virtual Desktop using MSIX App Attach or remote app, enabling remote users like BPO or contact center resources to connect and work on applications, and allowing vendors to access specific applications securely without a…

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Peter West

Director at Pesaro IT

Originally, I used Azure Virtual Desktop for disaster recovery, and then I also used it for remote working options. Those are the main aspects of it The ability to spin up virtual machines quickly and speedily in Azure has been really valuable. I could make value with using the virtual desktop…

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AndrewTaylor1

Freelance Cloud Architect/Consultant at AndrewSTaylor.com Ltd

The scalability is probably the most valuable feature since I can quickly add or remove machines or increase or decrease the size depending on resources to manage the cost better. It is a useful way of accessing my more complicated applications without having to install them on every device, especially when I have people working from home.

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Valuable Features

Azure Virtual Desktop's most valuable features include scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Users can quickly scale resources, access applications from any location, and manage expenses efficiently. The platform enables secure remote access, supports hybrid work with Microsoft 365 integration, and avoids additional licensing costs by utilizing existing subscriptions. Azure serves as a unified control plane globally, providing seamless deployment and access. Users appreciate the auto-scaling option and the ability to use virtual machines as needed.

"Azure Virtual Desktop is stable and provides a 100% stable experience."
"Azure pricing is quite cheap due to licensing benefits with Microsoft."
"The biggest advantages are the price and flexibility."

Room for Improvement

Azure Virtual Desktop requires improvements in cost predictability as companies struggle to estimate expenses upfront. Built-in internet proxy and filtering features are desired. Users face challenges during OS upgrades from Windows 10 to 11. Entra ID integration for tenant-only access could enhance connectivity. Scalability needs refinement, particularly for desktop scaling and uptime. Despite these areas, most user requirements are met, though expert insights could further highlight improvement opportunities.

"There are challenges when upgrading the OS from Windows 10 to Windows 11, such as facing a black screen during testing. It is essential for Microsoft to ensure better testing and smoother transitions when decommissioning previous versions."
"Azure could improve its uptime and the scaling aspect, as it lacks intelligent scaling."
"The primary area for improvement is around the scalability of Azure, specifically on the desktop side."

Pricing

Enterprise users find Azure Virtual Desktop offers reasonable and competitive pricing with usage-based fees. It provides flexible subscription options, such as monthly, one-year, and three-year reserved instances, with cost benefits maximized in long-term plans. Users appreciate cost-effective features like resource utilization and auto-scaling, noting potential savings compared to other cloud providers due to Microsoft licensing benefits. While high-configured virtual machines may be costly, Azure's pricing remains competitive, especially compared to GCP and AWS, with Citrix as a close competitor.

Popular Use Cases

Azure Virtual Desktop is used primarily for accessing resources from different machines, including disaster recovery and remote working. It provides application access via MSIX App Attach or remote app, enabling remote users like BPO or contact center resources to work securely on applications. Users access desktops privately without the public network, offering a consistent environment with the roaming profile feature. It is also used for managing endpoints and collaborating with distributor partners for Azure platforms.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for Azure Virtual Desktop receive mixed feedback. Users appreciate satisfactory service but highlight areas for improvement. As a Microsoft preferred partner with specialization, they acknowledge good assistance. However, the ticketing process often involves redundant troubleshooting steps, indicating a need for improved understanding. Technicians frequently change, affecting continuity. Ratings vary from five to eight out of ten, reflecting differing experiences across users and their interaction with Microsoft's technical support.

Deployment

Azure Virtual Desktop's initial setup is generally simple with assistance from Microsoft's documentation and Terraform scripts. Nerdio Enterprise Manager enhances the process. Tasks like selecting subscription, region, VM size, and OS configuration are required, often completed within 15 minutes. Users find the setup straightforward, utilizing a graphical interface. Experienced users complete it in hours, though novices may need days. Compared to Bastion, Azure Virtual Desktop setup is more complex, requiring detailed planning and workload management understanding.

Scalability

Azure Virtual Desktop is highly scalable across various company sizes, from small to large enterprises. Its flexibility allows seamless provisioning of virtual desktops based on demand. Users find scaling straightforward and effective for quickly expanding server performance, rating it near perfect. Although enhancements with tools like Nerdio and automation are needed in some regions to boost scalability, many organizations experience no limitations, appreciating its adaptable and efficient nature for growing businesses.

Stability

Azure Virtual Desktop exhibits strong stability when properly set up across regions. Users frequently find it stable, often rating it eight to ten out of ten. Thorough planning and design ensure minimal issues during operations. In most scenarios, it provides a completely stable experience. Some users desire more experience for architectural optimizations, though they generally regard its stability positively. Azure Virtual Desktop consistently meets user expectations for reliable performance without major issues.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

53%

Outsourcing Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Government

Financial Services Firm

Healthcare Company

University

Transportation Company

Insurance Company

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Logistics Company

Educational Organization

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Retailer

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Learn more about Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop is essential for remote work, offering centralized management of desktops, a secure environment for accessing sensitive data, and facilitating collaboration. It reduces hardware costs, supports scalability, and simplifies IT tasks. The platform is scalable, integrates with Microsoft 365, and provides robust security features. Fast deployment, efficient management tools, reliable remote access capabilities, and cost-effective pricing make it versatile for diverse requirements. However, users report slow performance during peak hours, connectivity issues, difficulty managing virtual machines, high scaling costs, a complicated setup process, and compatibility issues with specialized software.

What are the most important features of Azure Virtual Desktop?

Scalability: Adjust resources seamlessly to match demand.
Microsoft 365 Integration: Enhance productivity with deep integration.
Security Features: Protect sensitive data with robust security measures.
Fast Deployment: Quickly set up and deploy virtual desktops.
Efficient Management Tools: Streamline IT tasks with advanced management tools.
Reliable Remote Access: Consistent performance for remote access.
Cost-Effective Pricing: Competitive pricing that suits different needs.
Azure Services Integration: Leverage existing Azure infrastructure.

What benefits and ROI should users expect?

Cost Reduction: Minimize hardware and operational expenses.
Enhanced Productivity: Boost productivity with seamless integration.
Security Assurance: Ensure data safety with advanced security features.
Operational Efficiency: Simplify IT operations and management tasks.
Scalable Resources: Easily scale resources based on requirements.
Flexible Accessibility: Access desktops and applications from anywhere.

Azure Virtual Desktop is widely implemented across industries like finance, healthcare, and education. Finance companies use it to securely access sensitive financial data remotely. Healthcare providers use it to offer secure access to patient records and applications, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Educational institutions leverage it for virtual classrooms, enabling students and faculty to access resources and collaborate from various locations.