In this article, we’d be doing a head to head comparison of the two virtual environment solutions provided by Microsoft i.e. Remote Desktop Services vs Windows Virtual Desktop. So, without further a do, let's learn about each of it one by one and afterwards we’ll lead us to their comparison.
What is Remote Desktop Services?
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is the offering of Microsoft for building virtualization solutions for every end customer need, including delivering individual virtualized applications, providing secure mobile and remote desktop access for your users whom infrastructure may rely on physical machines or virtual machines in cloud.
Depending on your environment and preferences, you may set up the RDS solution for Session-Based Virtualization, as a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), or as a combination of the two:
What is Windows Virtual Desktop?
Azure Windows Virtual Desktop is a cloud offering from Microsoft that allows its users to virtualize desktops and apps.
Here's what you can do when you run Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure:
Microsoft RDS vs Microsoft Azure WVD
For the comparison of the concerning virtual solutions, we’ll be segmenting it into four sections:
Features comparison of Remote Desktop Services vs Azure Windows Virtual Desktop
Features RDS (Hosted in Azure using Virtual Machines) Azure WVD Operating System.
Features | RDS (Hosted in Azure) | Azure WVD |
|---|---|---|
Operating System | - Windows Server Only for RDS - Windows Client is available for VDI | Windows Client and Windows Server both are available. (RDS CALS are needed for Server) |
Machines Assignment | - Shared Session Hosts for RDS - Dedicated VM’s may be assigned for VDI | Both options are available i.e. pooled or dedicated. |
Profile management | - User Profile Disks (UPD)/Native are used for RDS - User Profile Disks (UPD)/Native are used for VDI | - User Profile Disks (UPD) - FSLogix Profile Containers (recommended) |
OneDrive | Not supported | Supported |
Windows Indexed Search | Not supported | Supported |
Management of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Windows Virtual Desktop
The management of cost and infrastructure includes installation roles, configuring the complete environment, patching of the servers etc. and no doubt, the management of a solution comes with its workload and cost. Below are the given details about the management of the two.
Management | RDS (Hosted in Azure) | Azure WVD |
|---|---|---|
Control and Infrastructure | Managed by end Customer | Managed by MS |
Regions | Any | Limited for tenants but Session Hosts may be deployed anywhere |
Market Availability | It’s been here since more than a decade |
Cost of Remote Desktop Services vs Windows Virtual Desktop
The cost calculations provided below in the table has been made keeping the following considerations in mind:
Cost (approx.) | RDS (Hosted in Azure) | Azure WVD |
|---|---|---|
User License | RDS + Windows Server CAL = $6 user/month | - Cheapest Option without Office 365 for Windows Client environment would be Windows E3 = $7 user/month - Cheapest option with Office 365 for Windows Client environment would be Microsoft 365 F3 = $10 user/month |
Server License | Server License price would be adjusted in the VM’s cost. | - No charges for Windows Client environment. |
Infrastructure | A single Azure VM with nested virtualization compromising i.e. 1 DC, 1 SH = $2,195.84 /month using D32_v4 size VM | - For Windows Client environment consisting Azure VM’s i.e. 1 DC, 1 SH = $750 /month using D16_v4 size VM as Session Host - For Windows Server environment consisting Azure VM’s i.e. 1 DC, 1 SH = $1350 /month using D16_v4 size VM as Session Host |
Total Cost | Windows Server experience without Office 365 = $96 + $2196 = $2292 /month | - For Windows Client experience without Office 365 = $112 + $750 = $862 / month - For Windows Client experience with Office 365 = $160+ $750 = $910 /month |
Performance of RDS vs WVD
Performance is significantly improved for WVD which also comes with the support of over the web experience for remote desktop sessions.
Performance | RDS (Hosted in Azure) | Azure WVD |
|---|---|---|
Over the Web | Not available for desktop connections | Smooth |
User Profile Loading | It’s not very optimized as profiles get copied/imported as the sign in session is initiated under UPD solution | Using FSLogix Profile Container, the profiles get mounted reducing the delay times drastically |
Scalable | Not a very cost-efficient option and comes with its extra workload. | As a Cloud Service, it’s highly scalable with many options providing cost saving and ease of the procedure |
Use Case Scenarios of Remote Desktop Services vs Windows Virtual Desktop
The most common use case scenarios that one would come up with and how good they are tackled by the two concerned solution.
Use Case | RDS (Hosted in Azure) | Azure WVD |
|---|---|---|
MS Teams Usage | Highly not recommended | Supported |
Microphone Redirection | Supported | Supported |
Camera Redirection | Supported | Supported |
OneDrive | Not supported | Supported |
Intune Enrolment | Not supported | Not supported |
Apply GPO | Supported | Supported |
Which One Would Work Best for You?
It really depends on one’s environment needs. Some of the factors which may affect your decision would be:
I hope the comparison provided and the considerations while choosing between the two will prove to help you decide your next big step for your virtual environment. Book a strategy call with us now to get started!
Last Updated 6 months ago
