In the ever-evolving cloud computing landscape, a question we often get from our customers is akin to choosing between a trusty classic and the latest trend: should you go for Microsoft’s new Windows 365 or stick with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)? Think of it as deciding between a reliable daily driver and a flashy new sports car – both have their perks!
Single-Session vs. Multi-Session
Let’s navigate these tech waters. Azure Virtual Desktop is like your versatile vehicle, offering both single and multi-session options. A single session is akin to having a car all to yourself – one user per virtual machine (VM), giving you the whole road (or computing resources) to yourself. Multi-session, on the other hand, is like carpooling; multiple users sharing a single VM, making efficient use of resources and potentially saving on costs.
Windows 365, in this metaphor, only offers the solo drive option. Every user gets their own VM, ensuring a personalized and uninterrupted experience. However, this exclusivity can come at a higher cost compared to the carpool-friendly multi-session option of AVD.
So, which route should you take? If your IT journey has been cruising along with AVD’s single sessions, Windows 365 might seem like an attractive new route to explore. But, as with any road trip, it’s essential to consider the specifics of your journey – your organizational needs and budget
Feature Showdown: Windows 365 vs. AVD
In the dynamic landscape of cloud computing, understanding the distinct capabilities of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is crucial for informed decision-making. Here’s a concise yet insightful comparison:
| Feature | Windows 365 Business | Windows 365 Enterprise | Azure Virtual Desktop |
|---|---|---|---|
| VNET Connectivity | No | Yes | Yes |
| Intune Management | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom OS Images | No | Yes | Yes |
| FSLogix | No | No | Yes |
| ADDS Support | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-session | No | No | Yes |
| Remote Apps | No | No | Yes |
| MSIX App-attach | No | No | Yes |
Windows 365 Business, with its user-friendly approach, offers limited customizability, primarily managed by Microsoft, ideal for users seeking simplicity. Windows 365 Enterprise, on the other hand, extends functionality, allowing integration with corporate networks and custom OS images, balancing control and convenience.
AVD emerges as the most feature-rich, tailored for those who prioritize extensive customization and control, offering advanced features like multi-session capabilities and comprehensive application support.
To sum up, Windows 365 suits those preferring minimal management, while AVD is geared towards users requiring comprehensive control and extensive features. This distinction helps in aligning the right solution with specific organizational needs and technical preferences.
Cost & Licensing: A Smart Overview
Let’s break down the financial aspects in a smart, succinct manner.
Windows 365, with both Standard and Enterprise SKUs, offers straightforward licensing. The primary cost consideration is the license fee, making it an attractive option for those seeking predictable expenses without needing extensive features.
Consider a scenario with 32 users on a monthly subscription, leveraging the Windows Hybrid Benefit (assuming Windows 10/11 licenses are pre-existing):
| Plan | License Cost | Compute Cost | Configuration | Effective Per-User Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W365 Standard | €45,50/user/month | €0 | 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage | €45,50 |
| W365 Enterprise | €45,50/user/month | €0 | 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage | €45,50 |
| AVD Personal Desktop | €0 | €2483,39 | 32x (2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage) | €77,61 |
| AVD Multi-Session Desktop | €0 | €438,64 | 8 vCPU, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB Storage | €13,71 |
The beauty of AVD’s multi-session capability is its efficiency: Microsoft suggests up to 4 users per vCPU, so an 8 vCPU VM can theoretically support 32 users. This scalability significantly reduces the effective per-user cost.
Expanding this to 128 users needing desktop access to an internal application, with usage limited to business hours (9-5, Mon-Fri):
| Plan | License Cost | Compute Cost | Configuration | Effective Per-User Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W365 Standard | €45,50/user/month | €0 | 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage | €45,50 |
| W365 Enterprise | €45,50/user/month | €0 | 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage | €45,50 |
| AVD Personal Desktop | €0 | €3261,77 | 128x (2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage) | €25,48 |
| AVD Multi-Session Desktop | €0 | €405,73 | 4x (8 vCPU, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB Storage) | €3,17 |
Windows 365’s 24/7 access model, while convenient, may not always align with actual usage patterns, potentially leading to higher costs compared to AVD, especially in scenarios with fluctuating user concurrency. Windows 365 Frontline does offer a shared licensing model for up to three users, but with some limitations.
In conclusion, Windows 365 is ideal for those prioritizing simplicity and constant availability, especially for single-session needs. However, for scenarios favoring cost-effective multi-session workloads, variable usage hours, or the most feature-rich, flexible solution, AVD emerges as the superior choice.
If you want to setup Windows365 please read my blog post about configuring Windows365.