Amazon WorkSpaces vs Horizon Cloud Service comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Omnissa are both solutions in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.0, while Omnissa is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.0. Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a 2.7% mindshare in VD, compared to Omnissa’s 4.9% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Amazon Web Services (AWS) users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of Omnissa users who would recommend it.

Amazon WorkSpaces

Read 19 Amazon WorkSpaces reviews

3,214 Views
2,571 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Horizon Cloud Service

Read 11 Horizon Cloud Service reviews

3,730 Views
3,506 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Amazon WorkSpaces

Horizon Cloud Service

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Horizon Cloud Service and Amazon WorkSpaces compete in the desktop-as-a-service space. Amazon WorkSpaces seems to have an edge in features, but Horizon Cloud Service is potentially more appealing due to its pricing and customer support.

Features: Horizon Cloud Service offers seamless integration with various cloud environments, ensuring flexibility and adaptability. Its power management capabilities provide users with advanced control over virtual desktops. The option for multiple cloud deployments makes it suitable for diverse IT infrastructures. Amazon WorkSpaces provides robust scalability and a wide array of configuration options. It supports multimedia applications, ensuring low latency and high performance. The ability to operate quickly and securely makes it suitable for international deployments.

Room for Improvement: Horizon Cloud Service could enhance its customization options and initial deployment setup to compete better with Amazon WorkSpaces. Improving scalability features further would be beneficial. Enriching real-time support could help as well. Amazon WorkSpaces could simplify its deployment process to reduce complexity for users. Enhanced integration with non-Amazon environments could expand its reach. Offering more pricing transparency might attract a broader audience.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Horizon Cloud Service provides a straightforward deployment process supported by strong customer support, which enhances efficiency. In contrast, Amazon WorkSpaces offers excellent scalability but might require more effort during deployment due to its customization options.

Pricing and ROI: Horizon Cloud Service has a competitive pricing model that supports higher ROI with lower upfront costs. Amazon WorkSpaces, while possibly having higher initial costs, justifies investment with its comprehensive feature set, which is beneficial for demands requiring extensive scalability and configuration.

To learn more, read our detailed Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Horizon Cloud Service Report (Updated: October 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Horizon Cloud Service

October 2026

Download the complete report

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Amazon WorkSpaces

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

11th

Ranking in Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Horizon Cloud Service

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

7th

Ranking in Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

3rd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category, the mindshare of Amazon WorkSpaces is 2.7%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Horizon Cloud Service is 4.9%, up from 2.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Horizon Cloud Service	4.9%
Amazon WorkSpaces	2.7%
Other	92.4%

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Featured Reviews

JiteshRathod

Expert Engineer at Apexon

Remote teams have gained secure, consistent test environments and onboarding stays streamlined

Desired improvements for Amazon WorkSpaces include faster and more flexible image updates, incremental image updates, patch-only updates, and a much faster push of software configuration changes to all workspaces, as well as improved cursor shutters and remote screen jitter. Amazon WorkSpaces can sometimes function as a black box, making it difficult to diagnose why a workspace is slow on any given day due to limited visibility into network latency from the client, real-time CPU and GPU utilization, and storage bottlenecks. Improvements are needed for built-in performance dashboards, clearer latency metrics, connection health reports, and root cause suggestions that distinguish between local network and VPC issues.

Read full review

SivaKuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

Centralized management enhances multi-cloud flexibility with cost efficiency improvements

The cost of Horizon Cloud Service is high, however, it could be optimized. The licensing model is complex, particularly for hybrid deployments, and simplifying it could help. Improvements in application performance, especially for resource-heavy applications like intensive 3D workloads, are needed. More built-in automation for routine tasks like patching and upgrading could reduce administrative effort.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Performance and scalability are valuable features."

"The tool has low latency and multimedia support. For instance, running Zoom calls on Amazon WorkSpaces seamlessly supports local microphones, speakers, and web cameras. This feature is transparent for applications, allowing me to use the Zoom application without requiring exceptional support for remote web cameras or microphones. Amazon WorkSpaces provides this functionality at the operating system level, enabling effortless video conferencing. To my knowledge, Microsoft Remote Desktop does not offer the same support."

"It has good speed and connects well with computers."

"I recommend it, definitely, as it is a very flexible solution, scalable, and easy to use, and you can use it from any device, whether you have an iPad, a laptop, a Mac, or Windows, on every platform that supports Google Chrome."

"The most valuable features are easy provisioning, an active directory, and mobile access."

"The infrastructure is readily available, with minimal latency, which each user can benefit from."

"The most valuable feature is the mobility. I can use it anywhere."

"Security, streaming, faster performance, scalability, and the fact that it is very much cost-effective, are some of the solution's valuable features."

More Amazon WorkSpaces pros

"The tool remains pretty stable."

"The main benefit of Horizon Cloud Service is that it is cloud-based, allowing our organization to leverage the service without having to manage all infrastructure directly."

"The interface is much easier to use compared to Microsoft and other VDI vendors that are well known on the market. I like VMware so much more than the others. With Horizon Cloud, you don't need to spend a lot of money upfront to buy the infrastructure. You can use it the on the cloud, so it lowers the barriers to entry. It's easier to test it and get started. Some clients stay in the cloud, but others prefer to go on-premise. It depends on the nature of the client."

"Horizon Cloud Service provides deployment flexibility across multiple clouds with a scalable architecture that easily scales virtual desktops and applications up or down based on demand."

"Its advanced management features are the most valuable, especially power management. One of the really important things was to be able to have power management in a consumption world. This means that unlike a Microsoft environment, you could actually turn off virtual desktops or have them start up and shut down. If you're consuming resources in the public cloud, you want to be able to do that because when you're not using those, such as at the weekend, you want to be able to turn them off. So, the advanced options for managing the BDIs are very important."

"The most valuable feature of VMware Horizon Cloud is all of its capabilities together."

"The product allows a VPN connection, adding extra value to its features."

"From the scalability perspective, that's one of the great things, because even with the basic setup, which has essentially very few components, you can run 10,000 desktops straight off the bat."

More Horizon Cloud Service pros

Cons

"O365 and other Microsoft products can become problematic at times, and there are some network health-related issues that appear occasionally regarding functionality inside Amazon WorkSpaces."

"I am not satisfied with the billing part because sometimes it bills for huge usage we are not aware of when we trigger every EC2 instance or every RDS instance."

"The speed and performance are not always the greatest. It can be improved."

"If they had a cheaper option for graphics pro, I think that it would be beneficial and I would use it."

"Making it more self-service friendly would be the implement I'd be looking for. When we have to add new applications, we have to go through the IT to do that, and they need to do some configuration changes. I believe they have to reevaluate the computation and storage and the memory. So this is this is something that as an unrequired and should be changed. Also, the initial start time takes couple of minutes and it is easy for get distracted during the time. So if it can reduce the start time to a reasonable start of time to a reasonable time of five to ten seconds. That will be great."

"The product needs to improve its pricing. It should also improve corporate identity management and single sign-on."

"The agent sometimes has connectivity issues, but otherwise, it's good."

"An area that could be improved is it could work better on VPN. On VPN, it gets some issues, and frequent disconnections happen."

More Amazon WorkSpaces cons

"Logging into VMware Horizon Cloud could be made easier. Additionally, the VMs could be better in their performance."

"It is too expensive as compared to other solutions because of which we don't use it that much."

"The application remoting features have some room for improvement."

"The cost of Horizon Cloud Service is high, however, it could be optimized. The licensing model is complex, particularly for hybrid deployments, and simplifying it could help."

"Our technical support of VMware is good, but the main problem is it takes a lot of time."

"The product has a lot of bugs."

"There should be more emphasis on the Workspace One access part of the solution."

"The licensing model needs to be adjusted, as a cloud license is currently required even for on-premises devices."

More Horizon Cloud Service cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is very expensive."

"On a scale of one to ten, where one is low and ten is a high price, I rate the pricing a two."

"The bundle works out to be approximately $20.00 per month."

"The pricing is based on consumption. You pay for each process based on the transactions you make."

"I think that the price can be lower. We have cases where the customer needs to have lower costs. So since we don't have options, like, shadow mode, they need to decrease pricing or have other models for reduced pricing."

"The solution is expensive."

"We need to spend some amount for the support. Without money, they won't respond."

"The tool's pricing depends on company turnover and the organization's relationship with Amazon. I rate it a six out of ten."

More Amazon WorkSpaces pricing and cost advice

"I rate VMware Horizon Cloud pricing a ten out of ten."

"Initially, the product is cheap, but it starts to get expensive when users try to scale out."

"VMware Horizon Cloud is a low-cost solution. The model that they have is consumption-based. However, some features are expensive."

"For what you get, it is very compelling. You've got to look at the total cost of ownership of this type of piece of software in terms of being able to utilize it as a cloud service. I don't have to run everything on-premises. When you look at the total cost of just being able to use it and then being able to point it to any public or private cloud, it is very compelling. You have one less thing to manage."

"It is too expensive as compared to other solutions because of which we don't use it that much. We tend to go more for Hyper-V or Azure just because VMware licensing is quite up there. We sway people away from VMware Horizon Cloud. We have some clients who already have it. They stay on it for a little while, and then most of them end up moving off when we provide them a better solution that isn't as license heavy cost-wise."

"There is a license required for the use of this solution and there are different tier levels available."

"VMware Horizon Cloud is an expensive solution. This solution is approximately 30 percent more than Microsoft Azure Cloud. There can be extra costs."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

13%

Performing Arts

13%

Construction Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Performing Arts

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	10

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	6

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Amazon WorkSpaces?

For Amazon WorkSpaces pricing, I think it is affordable; it is a final decision made through the management part. I am not satisfied with the billing part because sometimes it bills for huge usage ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Amazon WorkSpaces?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Amazon WorkSpaces?

Amazon WorkSpaces is used to provide a consistent environment for remote workers for testing purposes. Software testing is typically run on those desktops.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware Horizon Cloud?

The cost is considered normal, not remarkable but not outrageous. In terms of expense, compared to other virtualization products, I would rate it as a six.

See all answers

What needs improvement with VMware Horizon Cloud?

The licensing model needs to be adjusted, as a cloud license is currently required even for on-premises devices. Horizon Cloud Service should continue improving their protocol and work with other h...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for VMware Horizon Cloud?

Our primary use case focuses on virtual desktop and application hosting. This is spread across different industries. We have a large number of employees, and we are one of the largest GSIs globally...

See all answers

Comparisons

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 14% of the time

Amazon DCV vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 12% of the time

Azure Virtual Desktop vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 10% of the time

RapidScale vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 7% of the time

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 7% of the time

More Amazon WorkSpaces Competitors

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Horizon Cloud Service

Compared 14% of the time

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Horizon Cloud Service

Compared 9% of the time

Nerdio vs Horizon Cloud Service

Compared 8% of the time

Compared 6% of the time

Dizzion vs Horizon Cloud Service

Compared 6% of the time

More Horizon Cloud Service Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Amazon WorkSpaces

October 2026

Download Amazon WorkSpaces product report

Buyer's Guide

Horizon Cloud Service

October 2026

Download Horizon Cloud Service product report

Also Known As

WorkSpaces

VMware Horizon Cloud, VMware Horizon DaaS

Overview

Amazon WorkSpaces offers scalable virtual desktop environments that integrate seamlessly with existing IT structures. Its robust security measures and flexible access options make it ideal for remote work and daily operations, transforming traditional setups into efficient, cloud-based solutions.

Amazon WorkSpaces provides businesses with an efficient way to deploy and manage virtual desktops across multiple regions. Its integration with Active Directory and mobile access features enable users to connect from various devices, ensuring functionality on the go. With strong security measures including multi-factor authentication and encrypted data storage, organizations can confidently manage sensitive information. The platform supports multimedia applications and offers persistent storage for seamless performance. WorkSpaces is designed for cost-effectiveness and scalability, supporting multimedia integrations and adaptable deployment options.

What are the key features of Amazon WorkSpaces?

Easy Provisioning: Simplifies deployment for rapid setup
Active Directory Integration: Facilitates remote access control
Mobile Access: Enables connectivity from multiple devices
Strong Security: Includes multi-factor authentication
Cost-Effectiveness: Offers scalable solutions for budget-conscious businesses
Persistent Storage: Ensures data continuity and availability
Scalability: Supports extensive deployments across regions

What benefits should users consider in reviews of Amazon WorkSpaces?

Efficient Resource Management: Optimizes IT resources
Remote Accessibility: Provides access from any location
Smooth Performance: Delivers low-latency operation
Enhanced Security: Protects sensitive information with robust measures
Ease of Integration: Seamlessly connects with AWS and other tech ecosystems

In industries such as finance, healthcare, and education, organizations implement Amazon WorkSpaces to facilitate remote work and ensure secure cloud-based access. By transforming traditional IT setups, companies can offer flexible work-from-home solutions and maintain essential operations without geographical constraints, leading to increased productivity and streamlined management.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Horizon Cloud Service offers stable, flexible access to virtual desktops anytime, anywhere. Its centralized cloud management and scalable architecture support hybrid environments.

Horizon Cloud Service provides a cloud-based desktop solution ideal for businesses seeking remote access and power management. With features like centralized management and dynamic environment handling, it supports a seamless desktop experience. While offering remote accessibility and advanced management, it aids in reducing infrastructure costs through cloud-based scalability. However, improvements are needed in VM performance and external connection support, with current licensing complexities posing a challenge. Designed for VDI and application hosting across platforms such as Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS, it enables secure remote working with efficient workload management.

What are the main features of Horizon Cloud Service?

Centralized Cloud Management: Efficiently manage desktops from a unified platform.
Dynamic Environment Management: Customize environments to suit user needs dynamically.
Remote Access: Access desktops from anywhere with high reliability.
Multiple Monitor Support: Enhanced user experience with multi-screen compatibility.
VPN Connectivity: Secure connections for remote access users.

What benefits or ROI should users look for?

Infrastructure Cost Reduction: Lower costs with cloud-based scaling.
Seamless Desktop Experience: Consistent user interface across devices.
Hybrid Environment Support: Foster versatile deployment methods across clouds.
Flexible Deployment: Accommodate diverse business needs with adjustable solutions.

In industries like finance, healthcare, and education, Horizon Cloud Service facilitates secure remote operations and automates cloud-based machine generation, supporting hybrid workspaces for resource-efficient deployment.

Omnissa

Sample Customers

GrubHub, Endemol Shine Nederland, CMC Property Services

Marriott, Sprint

Buyer's Guide

Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Horizon Cloud Service

October 2026

Free Report: Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Horizon Cloud Service

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