What is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Before we understand what AVD (Azure Virtual Desktop) is let us understand a what VDI is...VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure)is a Desktop/Server OS Virtual Machine hosted on a hypervisor.

                                                                                                                                                                   

Traditionally these VDI solutions are hosted on On-Prem. Popular Onprem VDI solutions are Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops(CVAD), Vmware Horizon, Parallels etc..

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) previously know as Windows Virtual Desktop(WVD) is a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure(VDI) Solution on Azure Cloud. AVD Service on Azure helps you to host Virtual Apps and Desktops on Azure Cloud, this is similar to your Onprem VDI solution.

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) has several competitors in the cloud-based virtual desktop infrastructure(VDI) and Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) space. Some of the top alternatives include:

1. Amazon WorkSpaces – AWS's managed, secure cloud desktop service.

2. Amazon AppStream 2.0 – AWS's fully managed application streaming service.

3. Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service) – A popular enterprise  VDI solution offering both on-premises and cloud-based virtual desktops.

4. VMware Horizon Cloud – A cloud-based desktop and app virtualization solution that integrates with multiple cloud providers, including Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.

5. Google Cloud Workstations – Google's managed cloud desktop solution for developers.

6. Nutanix Frame – A cloud-native DaaS platform that supports Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.

7. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) –A cost-effective alternative for virtual applications and desktops.

8. Windows 365 – Microsoft's cloud PC offering, different from AVD but serving a similar    purpose for persistent cloud desktops.