Businesses face increasing pressure to provide uninterrupted remote access, instant connectivity, and high-end remote work security in 2025. However, meeting these demands while maintaining efficiency and control is a major challenge.
That’s where Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) makes all the difference. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a virtualization model that centrally hosts desktops on remote servers.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global desktop virtualization market was valued at USD 22.63 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 142.66 billion by 2032.
More businesses than ever are turning to cloud-based VDI to meet the demands of today’s digital workplace.
In this article…
VDI for large enterprises delivers secure access to all business applications and data on employees’ devices from around the globe, implementing required security protocols and access policies.
Here are some of the top VDI providers in the industry.
1. VMware
VMware offers a wide range of cloud services to the global market. Cloud solutions help you centralize your business using a hybrid or multi-cloud environment.
VMware offers a robust platform to host your VDI solutions in a cloud environment. The solution enables you to invest less in your data center resources by shifting your data to the cloud. And it’s done without re-deploying your current architecture.
Why should you choose VMware?
- The organization offers multidimensional cloud support.
- You can lower the cost of on-premise VDI setup while VMWare hosts your virtual desktops with applications in their data centers.
- Easy integration with leading cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud, etc.
Pricing – Variable as per the product and version
Free Trial – Available
Also Read: Top 11 VMware Alternatives & Competitors for Virtualizing Workloads
2. Ace Cloud Hosting
Ace Cloud Hosting has 15+ years of experience in providing business-critical virtual desktop solutions tailored to your business needs. They cover everything from hosting the infrastructure to managing complex virtual desktops to end-user devices, including proactive monitoring, end-to-end performance assessment, and more.
Thus, this eliminates the complexities of managing huge on-premises server setups and allows businesses to work smoothly from anywhere, anytime.
Ace Cloud Hosting has tier 4/5 data centers in multiple locations that provide multi-layered security to access and protect your data even in the event of a failure. Additionally, they offer automatic daily cloud backups for secure desktop data stored for 30 days.
Why should you choose ACE?
- Ace Cloud Hosting has been awarded Expert’s Choice 2021 and Supreme Software 2021 by Finances Online.
- Users can leverage virtual desktops with high-quality graphics hosted on high-performance computing servers.
- Ace Cloud Hosting deploy high-security standards with encryption methods such as firewalls, OS patching, intrusion detection and protection systems (IDPs), and more.
- The pricing plans are flexible, especially for startups, offering a pay-as-you-go subscription model with both monthly and yearly payment options.
Pricing – Tiered packages start at $30/user/month.
Free Trial – 7 days
Deploy secure, scalable desktops in the cloud — fully managed by Ace Cloud Hosting.
3. Citrix
Citrix is one of the most popular VDI providers and offers a wide range of cloud services that include precise control over virtual machines, licensing, applications, and security. Moreover, the hosted Citrix desktops allow businesses to operate from anywhere and on any device, regardless of the operating system.
Why should you choose Citrix VDI?
- The virtual desktops have several layers of physical and adaptive security controls. So, your security is never at risk.
- Citrix experts support you in streamlining management; there won’t be any need for your IT personnel to pick up new skills to learn and handle VDI.
- The virtual desktops use HDX technology to give you a better experience with video and audio on your virtual desktops.
Pricing – Standard, Premium, Plus Plans
Free Trial – Demo Available
Recommended Read: How Virtual Workspace Can Drive Your Business Forward?
4. Amazon AWS
Amazon AWS delivers cloud-based desktops, enabling you to configure Windows or Linux desktops in minutes. You can also scale up and down to have thousands of concurrent desktops.
Many administrative tasks related to desktop lifecycle management, such as provisioning, deployment, and maintenance, are eliminated.
Why should you choose Amazon AWS?
- They provide the Key Management Service (KMS) to ensure that your data is encrypted in the AWS cloud.
- The scalability model of Amazon AWS lets you choose the number of desktops that fit your needs.
- AWS offers SLA-guaranteed 99.99% uptime to their customers.
Pricing – Monthly and hourly billing plans
Free Trial – Available
5. Azure
Azure is one of the highest-rated VDI providers in the industry today. The enterprise offers added compliance and security with cloud services, including VDI for large enterprises.
The cloud solution is based on a multi-session version of Windows 11/10, specially designed for the DaaS platform.
Why should you choose Azure?
- Their VDI model is designed for both small businesses and large enterprises, offering continuous data backup and scalable storage capacity.
- Azure Cloud desktops leverage 256-bit AES encryption and data capacity management to ensure security at every access level.
Pricing – Based on Execution time
Free Trial – Available
6. IBM
The IBM Cloud offers a virtual desktop solution with more resource-intensive capabilities. Various hosted desktops can use high-performance NVIDIA GRID hardware to use the same graphical processing unit (GPU). Moreover, working from other devices can give you a desktop-like experience for resource-intensive applications.
IBM VDI for large enterprises increases security for virtual desktops by avoiding any data leakage as they send only encrypted visual input or output over the secure network.
Why should you choose IBM?
- IBM offers centralized management wherein users control patching and update all virtualized desktops simultaneously.
- VDI supports you with secure access to files, applications, and cloud services anywhere.
Pricing – It depends on the infrastructure you’re using.
Free Trial – Available
Factors to Consider When Selecting The Right VDI Cloud Provider
As cloud computing continues to revolutionize our business, choosing the right VDI provider has become crucial for organizations of all sizes.
From security and reliability to scalability and cost, numerous factors need to be considered when selecting a cloud provider.
Explore the key considerations to make an informed decision and unlock the full potential of cloud computing for your organization.
1. Current and Future User Environment
When virtualizing desktops to maintain business continuity, ensure they offer multi-device compatibility and remote access. Expect slight differences in functionality and visuals across devices.
Employees now work from various locations, especially in industries like legal and manufacturing. Therefore, you need easy mobile access to corporate data and applications. Choose the best VDI provider that supports virtual desktops on Android and iOS and delivers responsive configurations for different screen sizes.
2. Critical Factor to Note: Will You Get Security and Monitoring
One of the primary considerations for a business is securing its sensitive information. 60% of businesses deploy cloud technology to store confidential data. So, look for a cloud service provider with security standards such as IDPs and DDoS protection to strengthen your data security.
Moreover, VDI cloud providers have various security protocols at physical and network levels. This protocol reduces the chances of viruses and other malware damaging sensitive business information.
3. VDI Company’s Support Standards
Evaluating the 24/7 customer support of a cloud service provider is the best way to determine which one is right for you.
Ask the following questions to know more about their procedures:
- Do they have an in-house support team?
- Do they offer support on public holidays?
- Do they have a team of experienced and certified cloud experts to solve your issues?
- Are there clearly defined SLAs (Service Level Agreements) for uptime and support?
- What is their average response and resolution time for critical issues?
- Do they offer onboarding support and training sessions?
- What communication channels do they offer (phone, email, chat, ticketing system)?
4. GPU Intensive Applications Support
Having top-notch GPU-intensive VDI features is crucial in every industry, especially in education and retail, where graphics-heavy applications are required. Businesses can boost productivity with fast servers without needing expensive physical workstations. Thus, the best VDI provider lets you run design and 3D apps smoothly for strong performance.
5. Be Informed About the Data Backup Policies
The regular backup of data is crucial to ensure its safety and availability. To ensure your data is protected, you need to inquire with cloud VDI providers about their backup strategies, including the frequency and type of backups, the locations of their data centers, and the procedures they have in place for data restoration in the event of an incident.
6. Prefer Flexible Pricing Plans
After checking that providers meet your expectations and requirements, know their pricing and plans. Although VDI pricing varies, the providers’ price offerings should be reasonable. VDI providers should offer a pay-as-you-go model, so you don’t need to invest upfront.
Many VDI providers offer discounts for extended-term contracts. Also, determine 24×7 IT support and Disaster recovery are included in their plans or if there is an extra charge for these services.
How to Choose the Best VDI Cloud Solutions for Your Business?
Desktop virtualizations are the next step in building a flexible, secure, and scalable IT environment. So, have you thought about how you’ll deploy a VDI solution to gain a competitive market advantage?
Why not choose a hosted VDI provider who can take that burden off your shoulders?
With a cloud VDI provider like Ace Cloud Hosting, you eliminate deployment hurdles and desktop management headaches. Their team of experts handles all the technical aspects of VDI infrastructure and offers 24×7 support even on holidays to keep your operations running without any disruptions. Book a free consultation now or check our VDI pricing guide as per your business requirements.
Also Read: Understanding How Virtual Desktop Pricing Works
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is VDI, and how does it work?
A Virtual Desktop is a technology that allows users to access a desktop environment remotely over a network connection.
It provides a virtualized operating system and applications, allowing users to interact with them as if they were using a local desktop. Virtual Desktops are commonly used for remote work, cloud computing, and other virtualization applications.
Read this detailed blog to learn more about what is VDI and how it works.
2. What are the types of Desktop Virtualization?
Desktop Virtualization is the process of creating virtual desktops that can be accessed remotely. The three main types of desktop virtualization are:
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): In this type, a server runs virtual machines that host the desktop environment, and users access the virtual desktops through a remote connection.
- Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS): DaaS is a cloud-based desktop virtualization model in which a service provider hosts virtual desktops and delivers them to users over the internet.
- Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or Session-Based Desktops: In this type, a remote desktop session is created on a server, and multiple users can access and share the same session simultaneously.
3. What are the major benefits of a VDI Environment?
There are several benefits of using a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environment, including:
- Centralized Management: VDI allows for centralized management of desktops, reducing IT management costs and increasing efficiency.
- Improved Security: VDI can improve security by keeping data on a central server rather than individual devices, reducing the risk of data breaches and loss.
- Increased Flexibility: VDI allows users to access their desktops from any location and device, providing increased flexibility and mobility.
- Lower Hardware Costs: VDI can reduce hardware costs by allowing multiple virtual desktops to run on a single physical server, reducing the need for individual desktop hardware.
- Easy Maintenance and Updates: VDI makes it easy to maintain and update desktops, with updates and patches pushed out centrally rather than on individual devices.
4. What is the main difference between Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS)?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is hosted on-premises or in a private cloud, while Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a cloud-based service hosted and managed by a third-party provider, offering greater flexibility and scalability.
5. What is the main difference between Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and Remote Desktop Services (RDS)?
The main difference between VDI and RDS is that Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) provides individual virtual desktops, while Remote Desktop Services (RDS) provides a shared session-based desktop. RDS is more suitable for scenarios where users need to access the same session, while VDI is better for users who require dedicated virtual desktops.
6. How secure is VDI compared to traditional desktops?
A virtual desktop solution is generally more secure than a traditional desktop setup because data is stored centrally in the cloud or a secure data center rather than on individual devices. It offers better access control, encryption, automated backups, and multi-factor authentication, reducing risks from theft, malware, or hardware failure. IT teams can centrally manage security policies and updates for a more consistent and secure environment.
