Comparing Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop

Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop have different uses. This chart summarizes some of the key differences between the two services. 

Windows 365 Enterprise is a new service that provides persistent Microsoft-hosted Windows 10 desktops via a fixed-price monthly Per-User subscription. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) offers a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution hosted in Azure with consumption-based pricing. While AVD provides traditional VDI with a broad range of configuration choices and associated technical complexity, Windows 365 focuses on providing subscription-based Windows 10 desktops that are used and managed in the same fashion as a dedicated PC without the complexity of VDI.

Windows 365 provides persistent Windows 10 virtual desktops called “Cloud PCs.” Each Cloud PC is dedicated to a single licensed user and is managed and utilized similarly to a dedicated Windows PC. Cloud PCs are offered only with Windows 10 Enterprise, do not support multiple users, and store user profiles and data locally. After a Cloud PC is deployed (either from a gallery of Microsoft-provided images or from an organization’s custom image), it is managed using Microsoft Endpoint Manager, and updates and applications are installed manually or via Intune mobile device management (MDM). Costs are fixed, with a Per-User Per-Month charge based on the selected Cloud PC configuration. Windows 365 could be useful for deploying managed virtual desktops to users who work remotely or are highly mobile, without the overhead of managing physical devices that are off-site or user owned.