Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs VMware Horizon Air comparison

Cancel
You must select at least 2 products to compare!
Microsoft Logo
9,429 views|8,191 comparisons
84% willing to recommend
VMware Logo
141 views|117 comparisons
100% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Microsoft Remote Desktop Services and VMware Horizon Air based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, VMware, Citrix and others in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
To learn more, read our detailed Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Report (Updated: April 2024).
767,995 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Anonymous User
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The solution is really fast.""We have scaled the solution and find this easy to do.""The initial setup is not that difficult. I have gone through the RDS initialization steps, which only seem easy.""It's simple to set up.""I like the way it can assess our system.""The solution works well as a remote desktop.""It's simple and easy to use.""The most valuable feature is performance."

More Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Pros →

"The solution is good for providing dedicated resources for dedicated users.""The solution has proven to be very stable."

More VMware Horizon Air Pros →

Cons
"Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is only available for the professional version of the Windows operating system. This restricts a lot of users. The feature should be available for all versions.""The biggest reason we don't use the solution for our company's clients is the solution's prices.""Microsoft Remote Desktop Services could improve by having a better application for managing multiple sessions. There used to be one but they stopped supporting it.""It could be more user-friendly.""Remote Desktop Services doesn't scale well.""The pricing could be better.""Users have to re-enter their ID and password every time they log on, which is tedious and repetitive.""The only issue I experienced was with the initialization of the session, which affected the stability of the solution."

More Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Cons →

"It's a costly product. It would help if they could offer it at a discount.""We have experienced some connectivity issues."

More VMware Horizon Air Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The pricing is moderate."
  • "The solution has a perpetual license and it is purchased upfront."
  • "It will probably cost about $500 USD to get the resources set up in the cloud."
  • "Although not an expensive product, pricing is always something that can be improved."
  • "It's not an expensive solution."
  • "It's not an expensive product."
  • "Its licensing is on a yearly basis. We're on the educational or academic license, and our terms are good. We're very happy with the pricing."
  • "The pricing could always be improved."
  • More Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Pricing and Cost Advice →

    Information Not Available
    report
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions are best for your needs.
    767,995 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Questions from the Community
    Ask a question

    Earn 20 points

    Ranking
    Views
    9,429
    Comparisons
    8,191
    Reviews
    37
    Average Words per Review
    412
    Rating
    8.1
    Views
    141
    Comparisons
    117
    Reviews
    0
    Average Words per Review
    0
    Rating
    N/A
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Remote Desktop Services, MS Remote Desktop Services
    Learn More
    Overview

    Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is a highly regarded remote access tool in addition to being a top-ranked Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution in the marketplace today.

    Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a suite of valuable elements of the Windows operating system (OS) that serve specific desired objectives. Microsoft RDS integrates various features that allow approved users to gain access to graphical desktops and Windows applications remotely. Approved users are able to deploy applications or even a complete desktop without having to install anything on their devices. Everything remains in the cloud. This ensures that there are never any compatibility issues and keeps the organization's original network secure at all times. Administrators are also able to ensure that data cannot be stored in any unapproved location, such as the local device, unapproved drives, or any other location.

    Microsoft RDS makes it easy for business organizations to access Windows Desktops and other Windows applications remotely to ensure today’s busy enterprise organizations are able to maintain the highest levels of productivity at all times. There are two basic ways organizations can effectively utilize RDS.


    • Microsoft Remote Desktop Component: This allows users to connect with various alternate desktops from their current device. Once the user has gained a secure connection based on the approved administrative permissions, the user can seamlessly access and interact with the remote desktop. Users have the feeling of having this new virtual desktop installed directly on their machine.


    • RemoteApp: Users are able to easily access cloud-based applications via their own personal desktop computers or other approved mobile devices. This application ensures overall application management is centralized and consistent throughout the entire business enterprise.


    Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Benefits

    Microsoft Remote Desktop Services has many benefits. Some of its most valuable benefits include:


    • Access Windows applications remotely from any device
    • Enhanced consistent application performance
    • Increased computing resources
    • Secure cloud-based data storage.
    • Streamlined management processes
    • Reduction in technical administrative resources
    • Reduction in hardware and device costs.
    • Improved employee productivity
    • Cost-effective
    • Improved Profitability
    • Reduce carbon footprint


    Microsoft Remote Desktop Services makes it easy for busy enterprise organizations to stay productive and remain competitive in today’s aggressive marketplace. An organization's end-users can be given access to their own specific desktops from any location, anytime, using any approved device. Additionally, users can access Microsoft applications without having an effect on their device's resource capacity or performance.

    Reviews from Real Users

    “What I found most valuable in Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is accessibility because the solution lets you take control of your computer remotely, and that's a good feature.” Pascal B., IT consultant at Secoptrial

    “The most valuable features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services are unification, central management, and accessibility.” Jan S. Solution Architect at a tech services company

    “The most valuable features are that it is fast and cost-effective. I am not aware of a replacement currently on the market.” Ramon H. Director at Empaco

    VMware Horizon Air simplifies the delivery of Windows desktops and applications as a cloud service. IT can save time and money, without sacrificing enterprise requirements for security and control. End users are more productive, with a complete workspace they can access from any device, anywhere.
    Sample Customers
    Bank Alfalah Ltd.
    Wildlands Adventure Zoo, Medic Mobile, IBM, Seventy Seven Energy, Baystate Health, Osis, Oxford University, Columbia University, Siemens, Cardinal Health, Ashdod Port, Vasakronan, Sydney Adventist Hospital, University of Derby
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm17%
    Comms Service Provider10%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    Computer Software Company8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company13%
    Government9%
    Financial Services Firm8%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    No Data Available
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business45%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise35%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise57%
    No Data Available
    Buyer's Guide
    Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
    April 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, VMware, Citrix and others in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). Updated: April 2024.
    767,995 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is ranked 1st in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) with 69 reviews while VMware Horizon Air is ranked 27th in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is rated 8.0, while VMware Horizon Air is rated 8.6. The top reviewer of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services writes "Easy to set up and reliable, but needs an additional control panel". On the other hand, the top reviewer of VMware Horizon Air writes "VMware Horizon Air vs. Citrix Workspace Cloud". Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is most compared with TeamViewer, VMware Horizon, VMware Workstation, Citrix Workspace and Parallels Access, whereas VMware Horizon Air is most compared with VMware Workspace ONE and VMware Horizon View.

    See our list of best Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) vendors.

    We monitor all Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.