Link copied to clipboard # Azure Virtual Desktop vs VMWare Horizon DaaS Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/microsoft-azure-virtual-desktop/vmware-horizon-daas/export.csv) Azure Virtual DesktopVMWare Horizon DaaS[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **Azure Virtual Desktop** [ 4.2/5(29) ](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-azure-virtual-desktop/reviews#reviews) **VMWare Horizon DaaS** [ 4.3/5(26) ](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-horizon-daas/reviews#reviews) Pricing **Azure Virtual Desktop** No pricing available **VMWare Horizon DaaS** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Azure Virtual Desktop** Not enough reviews yet **VMWare Horizon DaaS** Not enough reviews yet Return on Investment **Azure Virtual Desktop** Not enough reviews yet **VMWare Horizon DaaS** Not enough reviews yet Perceived Cost **Azure Virtual Desktop** $$$$$ **VMWare Horizon DaaS** Not enough reviews yet Average Discount **Azure Virtual Desktop** Not enough reviews yet **VMWare Horizon DaaS** Not enough reviews yet Pros & Cons **Azure Virtual Desktop** Not enough data **VMWare Horizon DaaS** Not enough data Integrations **Azure Virtual Desktop** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_05fcc3af2ad1fa8aae661bb1fcdf40a6/nerdio-manager.png "Product Avatar Image") Nerdio Manager ](https://www.g2.com/products/nerdio-manager/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-azure-virtual-desktop/integrations) **VMWare Horizon DaaS** Not enough data Ratings Meets Requirements **Azure Virtual Desktop** 8.5 8.524 **VMWare Horizon DaaS** 8.8 8.811 Ease of Use **Azure Virtual Desktop** 8.4 8.425 **VMWare Horizon DaaS** 8.5 8.511 Ease of Setup **Azure Virtual Desktop** 8.8 8.88 **VMWare Horizon DaaS** 7.3 7.38 Ease of Admin **Azure Virtual Desktop** 9.3 9.37 **VMWare Horizon DaaS** 8.3 8.37 Quality of Support **Azure Virtual Desktop** 8.5 8.522 **VMWare Horizon DaaS** 7.7 7.710 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Azure Virtual Desktop** 9.3 9.37 **VMWare Horizon DaaS** 6.9 6.97 Product Direction (% positive) **Azure Virtual Desktop** 6.8 6.822 **VMWare Horizon DaaS** 7.4 7.49 Features Desktop as a Service (DaaS)[Hide 21 FeaturesShow 21 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.8 22 8.1 8 Functionality Desktop Virtualization 9.0 21 9.2(won by 0.2) 8 Backend Hosting 8.1(won by 0.5) 17 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 7.6 7 Hybrid Desktop Hosting 8.3(won by 0.8) 12 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 7.5 8 GPU Virtualization Not enough data Not enough data Management Admin Console 9.0(won by 1.1) 15 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 7.9 8 Solution Integration 8.7(won by 0.6) 15 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.1 7 OS Compatibility 9.1(won by 0.8) 19 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.3 8 Cloud Infrastructure Selection 9.1(won by 0.8) 17 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.3 7 Additional Functionality Cloud Computing Not enough data Not enough data Multi-Factor Authentication Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Device Management Not enough data Not enough data Single Sign On Not enough data Not enough data Backup and Recovery Not enough data Not enough data BYOL Management Not enough data Not enough data File Management Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data User Provisioning Not enough data Not enough data Application Management Not enough data Not enough data Cloud Encryption Not enough data Not enough data Policy Management Not enough data Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![Azure Virtual Desktop](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d957ee08c738f282cd9147ef750a0bb7/windows-virtual-desktop.jpg "Azure Virtual Desktop")](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-azure-virtual-desktop/reviews) Azure Virtual Desktop Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 44.4% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 18.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 37.0% [![VMWare Horizon DaaS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_79e72d2a54e9c4385702a4335df2b181/vmware-horizon-daas.png "VMWare Horizon DaaS")](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-horizon-daas/reviews) VMWare Horizon DaaS Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 19.2% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 53.8% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 26.9% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 44.4% 19.2% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 18.5% 53.8% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 37.0% 26.9% Reviewers' Industry [![Azure Virtual Desktop](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d957ee08c738f282cd9147ef750a0bb7/windows-virtual-desktop.jpg "Azure Virtual Desktop")](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-azure-virtual-desktop/reviews) Azure Virtual Desktop Information Technology and Services 22.2% Education Management 14.8% Insurance 7.4% Apparel & Fashion 3.7% Biotechnology 3.7% Other 48.1% [![VMWare Horizon DaaS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_79e72d2a54e9c4385702a4335df2b181/vmware-horizon-daas.png "VMWare Horizon DaaS")](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-horizon-daas/reviews) VMWare Horizon DaaS Computer Software 26.9% Information Technology and Services 23.1% Government Administration 7.7% Banking 7.7% Telecommunications 3.8% Other 30.8% FAQs ## Azure Virtual Desktop vs VMWare Horizon DaaS FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 15, 2026 ### What is the difference between Azure Virtual Desktop vs VMWare Horizon DaaS? Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS differ most in setup experience and support satisfaction, with Azure Virtual Desktop scoring higher on both dimensions according to G2 reviewers. | [Azure Virtual Desktop](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-azure-virtual-desktop/reviews) | [VMWare Horizon DaaS](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-horizon-daas/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.2/5 (29 reviews) | 4.3/5 (26 reviews) | | Small-Business | Mid-Market | | 8.8 | 7.3 | | 8.5 | 7.7 | | Easy deployment and integration with Microsoft ecosystem | Centralized management and remote workforce enablement | ### How do the pricing models of Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS compare? Azure Virtual Desktop is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than VMWare Horizon DaaS. - **Azure Virtual Desktop:** In recent reviews, many highlight cost savings through auto-scale features and pay-as-you-go flexibility, though some note costs can rise with premium features. - **VMWare Horizon DaaS:** Recent reviewers frequently describe it as expensive, with several noting high pricing as a drawback for small organizations. - **Switching reasons:** Reviewers mention moving to Azure Virtual Desktop for easier management and cost control compared to legacy RDS environments. ### What are the best alternatives to Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS? The top three alternatives to Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS are Citrix DaaS, Amazon WorkSpaces, and Kasm Workspaces. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Azure Virtual Desktop](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-azure-virtual-desktop/reviews) | 4.2/5 (29) | Small-Business | Reviewers highlight cost savings with auto-scale and pay-as-you-go options | Easy deployment and Microsoft integration | | [VMWare Horizon DaaS](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-horizon-daas/reviews) | 4.3/5 (26) | Mid-Market | Reviewers frequently cite high cost as a drawback | Centralized management and remote workforce enablement | | [Citrix DaaS](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews) | 4.1/5 (546) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade scalability and reliability | | [Amazon WorkSpaces](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-workspaces/reviews) | 4.2/5 (110) | Mid-Market | — | Strong customer support and reliability | | [Kasm Workspaces](https://www.g2.com/products/kasm-workspaces/reviews) | 4.7/5 (49) | Small-Business | — | High user satisfaction and flexibility | ### Which Desktop as a Service (DaaS) features should I prioritize when comparing Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS? Buyers should prioritize ease of setup, quality of support, integration capabilities, scalability, and cost management when comparing Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS. - **Ease of Setup:** Azure Virtual Desktop scores 8.8, while VMWare Horizon DaaS scores 7.3. - **Quality of Support:** Azure Virtual Desktop scores 8.5, VMWare Horizon DaaS scores 7.7. - **Integration Capabilities:** Azure Virtual Desktop is frequently cited for integration with Microsoft services; VMWare Horizon DaaS is noted for centralized management and hybrid work enablement. - **Scalability:** Azure Virtual Desktop reviewers highlight auto-scale and rapid deployment; VMWare Horizon DaaS reviewers mention ease of scaling for remote workforces. - **Cost Management:** Azure Virtual Desktop is praised for pay-as-you-go and cost-saving features, while VMWare Horizon DaaS is often described as expensive. ### What are the pros and cons of Azure Virtual Desktop vs VMWare Horizon DaaS? Azure Virtual Desktop's headline strength is ease of deployment and Microsoft integration, while VMWare Horizon DaaS stands out for centralized management and remote workforce enablement. - **Azure Virtual Desktop strengths:** Easy deployment, integration with Microsoft ecosystem, auto-scale for cost savings, rapid provisioning, and strong support for remote access. - **Azure Virtual Desktop trade-offs:** Reviewers note setup can be complex for advanced features, performance may lag with many users or lower-tier hardware, and costs can rise with premium options. - **VMWare Horizon DaaS strengths:** Centralized management, persistent desktop feature, hybrid work support, and strong disaster recovery capabilities. - **VMWare Horizon DaaS trade-offs:** Reviewers frequently cite high cost, initial setup complexity, occasional performance issues, and limited customization options. ### Is Azure Virtual Desktop or VMWare Horizon DaaS better for small businesses? Azure Virtual Desktop is a better fit for small businesses, as indicated by its largest reviewer segment and positive small-business sentiment. - **Azure Virtual Desktop:** Largest segment is Small-Business, with reviewers highlighting ease of deployment, cost savings, and rapid provisioning as key benefits for smaller organizations. - **VMWare Horizon DaaS:** Largest segment is Mid-Market, and reviewers often cite high cost as a drawback for small organizations. ### Which Desktop as a Service (DaaS) platform has better integrations? Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS are at parity for integrations, with reviewers citing integration strengths for both but no all-time mention counts available. - **Azure Virtual Desktop:** Reviewers frequently mention integration with Microsoft services such as Active Directory and Office 365. - **VMWare Horizon DaaS:** Reviewers highlight integration with centralized management tools and hybrid work environments. ### How do Azure Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon DaaS compare on customer support? Azure Virtual Desktop outperforms VMWare Horizon DaaS on Quality of Support by 0.8 points, a material difference per the Delta Rule. - **Azure Virtual Desktop:** Reviewers consistently praise responsive support, extensive documentation, and a strong user community. - **VMWare Horizon DaaS:** Reviewers describe support as generally helpful but note variability in responsiveness and occasional challenges with complex issues. ### Which is easier to implement, Azure Virtual Desktop or VMWare Horizon DaaS? Azure Virtual Desktop is easier to implement than VMWare Horizon DaaS, with a 1.5-point higher Ease of Setup score. - **Azure Virtual Desktop:** Reviewers highlight rapid deployment, straightforward setup for standard use cases, and automation options for provisioning. - **VMWare Horizon DaaS:** Reviewers note initial setup complexity, with some describing the process as time-consuming and challenging for advanced configurations. Alternatives **Azure Virtual Desktop Alternatives** ![Citrix DaaS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/075eaba93f871090141f8205a8624ea0/citrix-citrix-daas.svg "Citrix DaaS") [ Citrix DaaS ](/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews) ![Amazon WorkSpaces](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476468/amazon-workspaces.svg "Amazon WorkSpaces") [ Amazon WorkSpaces ](/products/amazon-workspaces/reviews) ![Kasm Workspaces](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/0ee10e34d38102ab1a4f9be91106945c/kasm-workspaces.svg "Kasm Workspaces") [ Kasm Workspaces ](/products/kasm-workspaces/reviews) ![V2 Cloud](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/23e78eccfb94608b36b3ff2553b1fe31/v2-cloud.svg "V2 Cloud") [ V2 Cloud ](/products/v2-cloud/reviews) **VMWare Horizon DaaS Alternatives** ![Citrix DaaS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/075eaba93f871090141f8205a8624ea0/citrix-citrix-daas.svg "Citrix DaaS") [ Citrix DaaS ](/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews) ![BlackBerry UEM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d2c1244fc00aacdf5612c19466431d1f/blackberry-uem.jpeg "BlackBerry UEM") [ BlackBerry UEM ](/products/blackberry-uem/reviews) ![Inuvika OVD Enterprise](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9398def4699bce117677a45c2408486c/inuvika-ovd-enterprise.svg "Inuvika OVD Enterprise") [ Inuvika OVD Enterprise ](/products/inuvika-ovd-enterprise/reviews) ![Ivanti Autonomous Endpoint Management](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4c3b85f837807793635c7c336ce2a6a7/ivanti-autonomous-endpoint-management.svg "Ivanti Autonomous Endpoint Management") [ Ivanti Autonomous Endpoint Management ](/products/ivanti-autonomous-endpoint-management/reviews) ## Azure Virtual Desktop vs VMWare Horizon DaaS When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found VMWare Horizon DaaS easier to use. However, Azure Virtual Desktop is easier to set up and administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with Azure Virtual Desktop overall. - Reviewers felt that VMWare Horizon DaaS meets the needs of their business better than Azure Virtual Desktop. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Azure Virtual Desktop is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of VMWare Horizon DaaS over Azure Virtual Desktop.