Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and Desktop as a Service (DaaS) may seem the same: They deliver consistent virtualized desktop and app experiences to users, allowing them to work securely from any location and device. However, there are several key differences between the two offerings, especially regarding maintenance and ownership.
So, when it comes to VDI vs. DaaS, which one is best? Let’s explore the greatest distinctions between VDI and DaaS to help you decide which is the right fit for your organization.
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Virtual desktop infrastructure uses virtual machines that IT manages to deliver virtualized desktops and applications. VDI can be on-premises, in the Cloud, or hybrid. VDI provides a consistent and secure desktop experience for users—whether in-office or remote.
VDI solutions are purchased, implemented, integrated, and maintained internally as a do-it-yourself solution. Because it is often self-managed, a company’s IT department is responsible for managing hardware maintenance, general upkeep, and software updates.
With Desktop as a Service, your data and applications are stored on virtual desktops in a Cloud environment like Azure Virtual Desktop and are managed by a third-party provider. As a cloud-based service, DaaS is acquired, deployed, built, and maintained by a third-party provider.
Depending on the vendor, DaaS can be either a client-defined or managed DaaS model, which has varying levels of control and management responsibilities. However, outsourcing a DaaS solution does not mean you have to give up control over your infrastructure. Instead, you are adding expertise to your team without the need to budget for additional hires.
There are four key differences between VDI and DaaS.
Computing, storage, and infrastructure for a VDI solution can involve high upfront costs. On the other hand, while there are onboarding fees for DaaS, overall, it requires a lower upfront cost and utilizes a subscription OpEx model with predictable monthly payments.
VDI offers IT complete management over its onsite servers, including maintenance and security, upgrades and updates, and troubleshooting. DaaS allows teams to offload maintenance and add complementary skills their team may lack, including application modernization, security, and compliance.
With VDI, you have full control over your infrastructure and data. You can control who accesses your data, where it is stored, which tools are used, and how systems are monitored. With DaaS, depending on if it’s a client-defined or managed DaaS model, the provider controls many aspects of your configuration. Some providers may not offer visibility into these aspects; if having complete visibility is important to you, be sure to look for a provider who provides it.
All DaaS environments follow a multi-tenant model, which means resources are shared among several organizations. VDI environments, on the other hand, typically follow a single-tenant model. This means all resources are used by a single organization.
While VDI and DaaS both offer many benefits to hybrid work, these differences must be considered as you search for the right solution for your organization.
Now that we’ve discussed the major differences between the two offerings, how do you decide which is best for your organization? Here are some primary use cases for desktop as a service and virtual desktop infrastructure.
There are a few scenarios where a VDI solution is especially useful, including the following:
If you need complete control or dedicated resources, VDI may be the better choice for your organization.
Like VDI, there are a few use cases where DaaS is most suitable, including the following:
DaaS offers an excellent solution for teams that need to scale or change on the fly, as well as for those who do not have the resources or budget to manage VDI internally.
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Keeping up with an ever-changing environment is no easy feat. If you feel like your VDI solution is holding you back, see how ProArch’s Desktop as a Service (DaaS) can help your organization move to the Cloud with confidence in as little as three months.