Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Citrix vs. Virtual Machines: Which Is Better?

Enterprise-sized organizations today must consistently evaluate their technology to run more efficiently, be productive or gain a competitive advantage. Businesses of all sizes are increasingly using Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions as a part of their architectural makeup.

Statistics project the DaaS market to reach $4.72 billion by the end of 2024. After this year, experts project an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 15.92%. By 2029, forecasters believe the market will grow to a not-so-insignificant $9.88 billion.

This is not surprising considering businesses currently heavily rely on virtual desktops for remote and hybrid work environments. In recent years, these structures have become prevalent, so businesses need to identify cloud solutions to help them facilitate efficient, productive and secure work environments.

Let’s take a look at a few prominent solutions and compare Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Citrix and Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Virtual Machine.

What is Azure Virtual Desktop?

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is Microsoft’s cloud-native VDI with strong integration in Azure. It’s one of the most popular cloud solutions businesses today utilize. Formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop, AVD is a desktop and app virtualization service located in the cloud.

Benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop

AVD offers an array of benefits. The following are key highlights Microsoft’s popular product has to offer.

• Pure cloud solution; no local equipment necessary.
• Deliver SaaS opportunities for external use.
• Users can access AVD with a device of their choosing in a flexible/scalable environment.
• Offers an easy-to-use and secure form of accessing virtual desktop infrastructure.
• Receives a full and familiar Windows desktop experience from any location, anytime.
• Supports Windows 11 single session, Windows 11 multi-session, Windows 10 single-session, Windows 10 multi-session or Windows 7 single-session, Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019 and 2022
• Offers accessibility for Windows Desktop, MacOS, Android, iOS, Web and Microsoft Store Client.
• Enables single-session or multi-session options.
• Multiple users can access a singular virtual machine (no need to maintain multiple licenses).
• Establish user profiles with FSLogix.
• Option to leverage RemoteApp to deliver individual apps.

Once you secure a valid license to run AVD and complete your initial setup, you’re ready to offer users a full and familiar working environment while maintaining complete control over configuration and management.

Weaknesses of Azure Virtual Desktop

While there are many tangible benefits associated with AVD, it’s important to recognize its weaknesses while making a decision. Setting AVD up can be complex because it requires careful planning. You’ll need technical know-how to ensure your network design, identity management and security settings are correct.

Other potential weaknesses include the need for stable internet connections since AVD is 100% cloud based. Users in areas without consistent or weak service may have difficulty accessing AVD. Additionally, managing AVD needs technical knowledge to manage its resource allocation and performance monitoring. Users also have limited control for performing actions, such as restarting their desktops or managing sessions.

What is Citrix?

Citrix is a robust, enterprise-grade VDA platform offering extensive management capabilities. As a key component of the Citrix platform, you can attain enterprise-grade management and security for your virtual resources.

Key features of Citrix

As a platform, Citrix enables enterprises to deliver virtual apps and desktop functionality to their users. Once installed on one or more servers, you can give your users the ability to access it over your network.

• Virtual apps and desktops that users can access from any location.
• Remote PC access provides users with the ability to log into their physical PC from another device.
• Enterprise browser that validates user identities and assigns trust levels to users and devices you select.
• App Delivery Controller to empower you to protect your applications with robust security controls.
• Can be installed on Windows or Linux machines.
• Customizable script to set your user experience with the requirements of your choosing.
• Users feel as if they are running applications locally, not from servers.
• Can launch from any device, including tablets, phones, laptops, etc.
• Offers robust security features to protect your digital assets.
• Great option for remote and hybrid working environments.
• Very customizable and can be integrated with multiple cloud providers, such as Azure, AWS and Google Cloud.

Enterprises typically select Citrix so they can provide users with a familiar and secure way to work from any location. They are also drawn to its ability to simplify operations and processes, support a secure, remote workforce and attain cost savings.

Weaknesses of Citrix

Some enterprises find installing and setting up a Citrix platform to be moderately complex, especially when they have a large number of users. Establishing Citrix involves setting up multiple factors, including user access, servers, network settings and configuring security. To initially run Citrix, you’ll need a fairly high level of technical expertise.

Other potential weaknesses include its dependency on solid network quality. If connections aren’t strong or too many users try to access them at the same time, Citrix may run sluggish and negatively impact the user experience.

What are Virtual Machines (VMs)?

Virtual Machines (VMs) offer enterprises basic, versatile virtual environments with high flexibility for specific computing needs. This virtual computing resource uses software as opposed to physical computers to run programs and apps.

Key Highlights of VMs

VMs are used by businesses to run operating systems that are able to behave like a separate computer in another app window on a different desktop, completely separating it from the rest of a system/network.

• Enables enterprises to consolidate computing resources to improve efficiency in a cost-effective manner.
• Allows ability to run software requiring a different OS.
• Empowers organizations to test potentially risky applications in safe, separate environments without risking the security of entire systems.
• Works just like any other application run on a machine and operating system.
• Easy for organizations to manage and maintain VMs.
• Possesses the ability to run multiple OS environments from one computer, saving physical space.
• Have the ability to support legacy applications, offering significant savings or delaying the need to migrate to newer operating systems.
• Offers a reliable way to establish disaster recovery capabilities.
• Each VM runs its own OS and functions separately from other VMs being utilized while sharing the same host.

VMs are a good solution for enterprises seeking cost-efficiency, higher flexibility and a fully scalable solution. It is also easy to migrate between different servers or cloud platforms and VMs provide enterprises with an ability to run multiple OS on a singular server. Maintenance is not super demanding and VMs require minimal hardware to run. The ability to run applications in a separate, secured and isolated fashion is also viewed as highly advantageous.

Weaknesses of VMs

A possible disadvantage of a VM is it can create instability if an organization doesn’t first meet the right infrastructure requirements. They can also run slower than full physical computers, creating an adverse impact on performance and productivity.

Which Solutions Offer the Most Scalability and Flexibility?

Each of the above three solutions can be feasible for an enterprise, depending upon their specific requirements and needs. If seeking scalability and flexibility is a primary factor in the decision-making process, AVD is generally viewed as being more scalable than both Citrix and VMs.

Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Citrix

AVD is usually considered more scalable and flexible than Citrix because of its innate ability to integrate with the Azure cloud infrastructure. Businesses can quickly scale up or down according to current demand in a cost-effective manner since they don’t encounter any hurdles associated with hardware needs or software licenses.

Citrix generally needs more manual configuration and planning to accommodate scalability and flexibility. Enterprises will need to plan server upgrades, acquire additional hardware and make several reconfigurations, making it a bit less convenient – and potentially more expensive – to make adjustments.

Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Virtual Machine

AVD is also generally viewed as being more scalable than standard Virtual Machines. The reason being AVD is designed for large-scale desktop deployments in its design, so if an enterprise needs the flexibility to scale up or down depending upon user demand, they can do so with ease. VMs are scalable but typically need staff to make manual configurations to make the level of adjustments necessary since they do not have the built-in scaling features AVD offers.

Which Solutions are Best for Management and User Experience?

The solution for the best management and user experience will depend upon your organization’s needs.

Azure Virtual Desktop is typically simpler, intuitive and more streamlined, making it easier for both management and users. Interface is relatively straightforward and is a lower-cost solution since it doesn’t require heavy-duty managerial intervention to run it.

Citrix poses more challenges to manage and run, but the advantages are this platform offers advanced users a higher degree of customization and works well with complex network environments, which often equates to a better user experience in this case.

Virtual Machines have a tendency to require more manual intervention, especially since individual VMs need separate configuration and management. However, it does offer a good amount of customization, granular control and flexibility. The user experience may be less easy than it is with other platforms.

Which Solutions are More Geared Toward Security and Compliance?

Every organization needs to carefully consider their requirements toward security and compliance. With threat actors continuously trying to infiltrate businesses, security isn’t a process that enterprises can put on snooze to deal with at a later date. Not to mention, compliance is critical, lest a business potentially face hefty fines and penalties.

AVD easily integrates with Microsoft’s Azure platform to provide a streamlined security experience, leveraging Azure’s features and offers easier security management; also ideal for organizations heavily invested in Microsoft compliance standards.

Citrix typically is considered to offer a more comprehensive, advanced and customizable set of security features, including policies and configurations, but it is more complex to establish. Citrix also may better suit an enterprise’s needs for certifications since it offers more options.

VMs run on physical hardware, and thus, if not adequately and properly secured, will be vulnerable to threat actors. IT will generally have to do the configurations for both security and compliance requirements. A benefit is the ability to segment components of the network and work in isolated environments if a problem emerges.

Cost Model Comparisons

Every organization is different, but generally speaking, AVD is the winner when it comes to cost-effectiveness because of its pay-as-you-go design, low upfront costs and ability to seamlessly integrate with Azure.

Deploying Citrix typically entails upfront licensing costs and potential infrastructure upgrades or new purchases before it can be used. However, once installed, enterprises can enjoy a wider range of customization and advanced features. Smaller enterprises may find it appealing due to its per-user license model.

Leveraging VMs requires the purchase of physical servers to host the VMs, along with the staff to manage and maintain them; they tend to be more complex and labor intensive than other options.

This all being said, every enterprise will need to evaluate their budget, current equipment, goals, support costs, specific use scenarios, functional needs and future scaling needs.

Summary

When deciding which platform is best, the answer is, it depends. AVD is ideal for organizations heavily invested in Azure and Microsoft 365, whereas Citrix is often preferable to larger enterprises needing advanced management and multi-cloud compatibility. On the other hand, VMs are great for custom, flexible workloads not requiring extensive VDI features.

Ultimately, when deciding which one to go with, you’ll want to look at the level of control, simplicity and management, capacity for a multi-user environment and what operating systems users are working from (e.g. if you need diversity because users are working on various devices, look for a platform that can accommodate this).

Need Help Making a Decision? Red River Can Help!

Establishing virtual work environments for both hybrid and remote workers is essential. You’ll want to identify the right DaaS solution capable of accommodating efficiency, productivity and cost-efficiency. For many modern organizations, especially those heavily invested in Microsoft products, AVD is likely the best bet. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It may be Citrix or a VM is the best solution.

Red River is fully versed in all three types of virtual products. Our experts can guide you through your options, assess your current systems and help you choose the right DaaS solution based on your needs, budget, requirements and level of scalability. Contact us today.