Windows 365 vs Azure Virtual Desktop which one is right for your business?

Introduction

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop, is Microsoft’s platform for delivering virtualized desktops and applications. With AVD, organizations can publish individual applications using RemoteApp or provide users with a complete virtual desktop experience.

Windows 365 takes a different approach. It is a SaaS-based desktop solution that integrates directly with Microsoft Intune. The goal of Windows 365 is to simplify virtual desktop delivery by reducing infrastructure design, operational overhead, and ongoing management effort for IT teams.

Both solutions address similar use cases but are built on very different models. Choosing between them depends on how much control, flexibility, and operational responsibility a business wants to take on.

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Azure Virtual Desktop offers organizations full control over how their virtual desktop environment is designed and operated. Depending on business needs, AVD can be configured to deliver only specific applications or full desktops, using either persistent or non-persistent session hosts.

A key capability of AVD is support for Windows 10 and Windows 11 multi-session, which is available exclusively in Azure. Multi-session allows multiple users to connect to a single Windows client virtual machine, helping organizations reduce costs while maintaining a familiar end-user experience.

This capability is particularly useful for application virtualization scenarios, where multiple users need access to the same set of client-based applications.

Advantages

• High level of control over infrastructure and configuration

• Flexible design aligned with specific business requirements

• Support for persistent and non-persistent desktops

• Ability to leverage Windows 10/11 multi-session for better cost efficiency

Limitations

• Larger deployments can become complex to design and manage

• Cost optimization depends heavily on correct scaling and capacity planning

Windows 365

Windows 365 is a SaaS VDI solution where desktops referred to as Cloud PCs are provisioned and managed through Microsoft Intune. Unlike AVD, Windows 365 focuses on simplicity and consistency rather than infrastructure customization.

There are two main deployment approaches:

1. Microsoft-hosted configuration

   • Uses standard marketplace images

   • Networking and infrastructure are fully managed by Microsoft

2. Customer-managed networking configuration

   • Allows the use of custom images

   • Azure virtual networks and subnets are managed by the customer

In both cases, the Cloud PC itself runs on Azure infrastructure hosted within Microsoft-managed Azure subscriptions. As a result, administrators do not have direct access to the underlying virtual machines through the Azure portal. Instead, all management actions such as restart, reprovision, and monitoring are performed via the Intune admin center.

Cloud PCs are typically created by assigning a Windows 365 license to a user. Licensing follows a fixed, per-user monthly pricing model, making cost forecasting straightforward.

Microsoft continues to expand the Windows 365 ecosystem with features such as:

• Frontline editions for shift-based workers

• Windows 365 Cloud Apps

• Windows 365 Link devices designed for Cloud PC access

These capabilities open up additional use cases that are worth exploring separately.

Advantages

• Simplified deployment and administration

• Rapid provisioning of Cloud PCs

• Predictable and transparent pricing

Limitations

• Reduced flexibility compared to Azure Virtual Desktop

• Limited visibility and control over the underlying infrastructure

Conclusion

Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 are both powerful solutions, but they are designed with different priorities in mind. AVD is best suited for organizations that require maximum flexibility and control, while Windows 365 is ideal for those looking for simplicity, speed, and predictable costs.

Understanding the customer’s requirements such as scalability, management overhead, and cost model is the key factor in selecting the right solution