The Best Virtual Desktops for Startups and Large Businesses

Do virtual desktops work with Mac? These are some of the questions I will be answering in this article, so kindly read to the end. Well, in this post, I will be showing you the best virtual desktops you should be using on your PC from today. The good part is that I will also indicate their respective pros and cons, which will make it easier for you to make your preferred choice, irrespective of the size of your business.

Though virtual desktops or VDI is not really new, it has witnessed tremendous growth in these recent years. Infrastructures such as these enable a service provider to handle all the logistical and technical aspects of the cloud desktop and remote app management. This makes users like you be able to save valuable resources that would have been spent on setting up and maintaining the infrastructure by yourself.

Also read: GDM vs SDDM – The comparison Between Both Display Managers

With a lot of VDI solutions currently in the market, it is important for you to keep up with the latest technology. The two major factors you should consider when choosing virtual desktop software are; user experience and scalability. Having no doubt, data and security, and pricing are equally important, especially for small business owners and startups. To make it easier for you to make the right decision for your company, I have compiled a list of the best virtual desktops for business enterprises of all sizes. Read more about them from the content below.

The Best Virtual Desktops with Their Pros and Cons

Below are nine of the best virtual desktops software you should be using for your business today.

Amazon Workspace

The first on my list is Amazon Workspace. It is a cloud desktop solution designed to boost employee productivity while lowering costs. The Amazon Workspace can create Windows and Linux virtual machines, and it is compatible with multiple devices including Mac, Chromebook, iOS, and Android tablets. This must-have answered the question “does virtual desktop work with Mac”? Yes, the Amazon Workspace is one of those VDI that works perfectly with Mac. Both operating systems come with pre-installed applications like Internet Explorer, although Microsoft Office and other programs may be purchased separately for a monthly subscription.

Pros

• Flexible pricing
• Active Directory
• Entirely managed service

Cons

• Users have to be added manually
• Additional tech support costs

Shells

If you are a freelancer or the owner of a small startup, and you are looking for one of the best virtual desktops, then Shells is the best option for you. This software can turn any device, regardless of its hardware, into a virtual desktop that can run almost any office management program. Also, you do not have to worry about compatibility issues because Shells works perfectly with Linux, Windows, Ubuntu, Android, and other platforms.

Shells are compatible with multiple operating systems which include; Android, iOS, PlayStation, Windows, and Linux. The software also provides automatic updates, which makes it possible for you to have the most up-to-date VDI framework.

Pros

• Versatile interface
• Budget-friendly updates

Cons

• Fewer data center counts than rivaling providers

Nutanix VDI

Nutanix VDI is a converged VDI that offers industry-leading solutions for software appliances. It is regarded as one of the best virtual desktops that allow for easier administration, seamless performance, and linear scaling. Also, the software supports different types of deployment, apps, and VDI users.

Pros

• Extremely user-friendly
• High performance
• Robust capabilities

Cons

• No live support

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops

Citrix virtual applications and desktop is one of the best virtual desktops you can find at the moment. It is a cloud-based virtual desktop service that allows you to access desktops and apps with different devices. The VDI will give your team the freedom to work from wherever they are, allowing employees to switch between internal and external networks with ease. Also, it is one of the more budget-friendly solutions in this list of mine. So, this makes Citrix be one of the best virtual desktops for startups and small businesses.

This VDI solution is also compatible with ChromeOS, Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS devices.

Pros

• Streamlined interface
• Outstanding Graphics
• Extremely flexible

Cons

• Requires 25 user’s minimum

VMware Horizon Cloud

Horizon Cloud by VMware is a cloud-hosted VDI and virtual app solution that can be fully operated with a single control panel. This software will give you all-around access to databases, files, and other resources while maintaining maximum security levels.

Thanks to the highly encrypted setup, this VDI can reduce the risk of data abuse and cyber-attacks significantly. With VMware Horizon, you have the ability to manage multiple workplaces with one control panel, regardless of the number of remote devices.

Pros

• Maximum security
• Versatile
• One control panel

Cons

• Only compatible with BYOL

V2 Cloud

When you are using V2 Cloud, you will get a fully managed scalable VDI platform that can deploy virtual apps and desktops to multiple remote devices. If you are an admin, you can add as many as 250 users to a single virtual desktop, and each user will have access to a shared public folder and private files. Also, they will have the ability to access the data from different devices.

The V2 Cloud software includes a multi-user window operating system and bundled Microsoft Office. It is another user-friendly solution with an array of versatile features. This virtual desktop software can be accessed via a web browser, and it provides printing and bidirectional copy-paste capabilities. Overall, V2 Cloud provides maximum network and data security. This makes it one of the best virtual desktops when it comes to security.

Pros

• Streamlined remote management
• Built-in encryption

Cons

• Snapshots last only seven days

Evolve IP VDI

Evolve IP VDIE looks like a desktop-as-a-service solution, with its fully managed infrastructure and budget-friendly pricing. This makes it a great fit for small to medium-sized business ventures. If you are on a tight budget but still you need a reliable virtual solution, Evolve IP is the best choice for you.

This software gives you total control over the virtual desktop and app delivery, allowing you to split your team across several projects. However, the infrastructure management is strictly run by Evolve IP. This affordable VDI solution, also, provides you with the Windows version of your choice alongside Microsoft Office apps, Standard or Enterprise. All of these can increase workspace productivity and facilitate communication between team members.

Also read: Free Microsoft Office Alternatives: WPS Office

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Wide range of advanced features
• Highly customizable

Cons

• Not built for large companies

Parallels RAS

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is one of the best virtual desktop and app delivery software that gives employees access to company resources from any device. It is an elegant, easy-to-use virtual desktop solution that ensures complete network visibility, unlimited access, and data-centric load balancing. This software has a flexible and scalable design that allows you to accommodate the ever-growing need for app delivery and cloud computing.

This sophisticated virtual desktop software can connect multiple remote devices to relevant virtual apps and desktops. It works well with various operating systems like Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, and Chromebooks.

Pros

• Flexible
• Maximum data protection

Cons

• 15 users’ minimum requirement

Windows Virtual Desktop

The last among this list of best virtual desktops I shall be revealing to you is Microsoft Azure’s Windows Virtual Desktop. With this software solution, you can deploy Windows 7 or 10 virtual PCs with Office 365 and various third-party applications. This VDI solution is also compatible with a wide range of devices and works well with all popular browsers and platforms like Windows, ChromeOS, macOS, iOS, and Android. The pricing is flexible since it is determined by the virtual machine (GPU, CPU, and RAM) operating system, geographical location, and frequency of use.

Pros

• Regular backups
• High security
• Supports multiple devices

Cons

• Strictly cloud-based
• Windows-compatible only

Conclusion

Despite the size of your business, there is a VDI solution just for you. So, you can easily choose from this list of the best virtual desktops today. If you already have a personal experience with any of these virtual desktops, kindly share with us in the comment section below.