Updated November 9, 2026
· ~2 min read
On-premises virtual desktop estates are due for decisions. Citrix is now part of Cloud Software Group, and VMware's end-user computing business became Omnissa in 2024. Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, so desktop images need rebuilding anyway. And the data center hosting the VDI farm is often the last thing keeping the lights on.
The cloud options are mature. They differ in licensing more than in technology.
Many VDI estates exist to deliver three or four line-of-business Windows applications to people who otherwise work in a browser. Streaming just those applications (WorkSpaces Applications, AVD RemoteApp or Citrix published apps) is cheaper and simpler than full desktops. And if the application has a web version, or can be replaced by one, the cheapest VDI is none.
Question 1 of 2
Do users need a full desktop, or a few applications?
**Amazon WorkSpaces:** your applications and data are on AWS. Personal for persistent desktops, Pools for non-persistent, WorkSpaces Applications (formerly AppStream 2.0) to stream individual apps instead of whole desktops. **Azure Virtual Desktop:** you are licensed for Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 and want Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session, which runs only on Azure and Azure Local. **Stay on Citrix or Horizon:** complex estates with heavy policy, printing and peripheral requirements where the existing platform is well run. Both now run on cloud capacity too.
VMware Exit to AWS
Move off VMware before the next renewal: most VMs rehosted to right-sized EC2 with AWS Application Migration Service, a time-boxed Amazon EVS landing for what cannot move yet, and the data center contract ended on a date you choose.
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As of November 9, 2026. Provided as is, for general information, and accurate to the best of our knowledge on the date shown. Not legal, compliance, tax, financial or other professional advice. Prices, limits and vendor services change; check current vendor documentation before relying on anything here. Terms of use.