Welcome back to another edition of "Flare Compare," where we compare different cloud services, so you don't have to! Today, we'll be comparing three popular Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions: VsBox, AWS Workspace, and Azure Virtual Desktop.
What is DaaS?
First, let's define DaaS. In simple terms, DaaS is a cloud-based virtual desktop solution where the desktop environment and infrastructure are hosted in the cloud. DaaS allows users to securely access their desktop from anywhere in the world, on any device, as long as they have an internet connection.
VsBox
VsBox is a relatively new player in the DaaS space, but it has quickly gained popularity due to its focus on security and privacy. VsBox uses a combination of open-source and proprietary technologies to create a secure, isolated virtual environment for each user.
Pricing
VsBox offers a simple pricing model based on the number of users and the amount of storage required. The base price is $10 per user per month, with additional storage available for $0.10 per GB per month. VsBox also offers a free trial, allowing users to get a feel for the platform before committing.
Performance
VsBox claims to offer exceptional performance, thanks to its use of advanced virtualization technologies and optimized networking. However, we were unable to find any independent benchmarks or performance tests to verify these claims.
AWS Workspace
AWS Workspace is Amazon's DaaS solution, built on top of the AWS cloud platform. AWS Workspace is designed to provide a Windows desktop experience that is accessible from anywhere, on any device.
Pricing
AWS Workspace offers a slightly more complex pricing model than VsBox, with pricing based on the number of users, the instance type, and the storage required. The cheapest option is a "Value" bundle that includes a t3.medium instance and 80 GB of storage for $21 per user per month. AWS Workspace also offers a free trial, but it is limited to one bundle for up to five users.
Performance
AWS Workspace is backed by the powerful AWS cloud platform, which should mean excellent performance. However, some users have reported performance issues when running graphically intensive applications or when accessing the workspace from a remote location.
Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft's DaaS solution and is built on top of the Azure cloud platform. Azure Virtual Desktop provides a secure and scalable way to deliver a Windows desktop experience to remote users.
Pricing
Azure Virtual Desktop offers the most complex pricing model of the three solutions we're comparing. Pricing is based on the virtual machine type, the storage required, and the number of users. The cheapest option is the "D2_v3" virtual machine with 64 GB of storage, which costs $27.47 per month, plus $0.056 per hour for each user. Azure Virtual Desktop offers a free trial, but it requires a credit card to sign up.
Performance
Azure Virtual Desktop should offer excellent performance, thanks to its integration with the Azure cloud platform. However, some users have reported latency issues, particularly when accessing the desktop from a remote location.
Conclusion
So, which DaaS solution is the best? Well, it depends on your specific needs. If security and privacy are a top priority, VsBox is the clear winner. If you're already using AWS, AWS Workspace may be the most convenient option. And if you're already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, Azure Virtual Desktop is probably the best choice.
That being said, all three solutions are solid choices, and your decision should ultimately come down to your specific requirements and budget.
References
- "Welcome to VsBox." VsBox. https://vsbox.io/
- "Amazon WorkSpaces Pricing." AWS. https://aws.amazon.com/workspaces/pricing/
- "Azure Virtual Desktop Pricing." Microsoft. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/virtual-desktop/
- "Desktop as a service." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_as_a_service