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Azure Virtual Desktop
What Azure Virtual Desktop is
Azure Virtual Desktop provides virtual desktop access using Windows as its desktop operating system. It supports dedicated resources and offers a GPU option, with session persistence listed as both. Users can access it through Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Chrome OS, or a web browser. The service is paid and has no free plan, and the listed plans do not specify prices. Pay as you go charges for compute capacity by the second, with no long-term commitment or upfront payment. The Azure savings plan for compute requires a fixed hourly spending commitment for one or three years and applies across select compute services. Reservations are agreements of one or three years for a specific service instance, with discounted Azure service pricing. The hybrid option charges per user per month and runs session hosts on premises using existing infrastructure, while Microsoft manages the control plane. The associated company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in the Greater Seattle Area.
Who it suits
It suits organizations seeking Windows virtual desktops with dedicated resources or a GPU option and access across desktop, mobile, and browser platforms. The hybrid plan may suit those running session hosts on premises with existing infrastructure.
What it does well
- Access through Windows, macOS, mobile platforms, and web browser.
- Dedicated resources are supported.
- GPU option is available.
- Hybrid option supports on-premises session hosts.
- Pay-as-you-go compute is billed by the second.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Savings plans require a one- or three-year commitment.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pay as you go | Pay for compute capacity by the second · Pay for compute capacity by the second · No long-term commitments or upfront payments | On request |
| Azure savings plan for compute | Committing to spend a fixed hourly amount for one or three years · Commit to a fixed hourly amount for one or three years · Applies across select compute services | On request |
| Reservations | A one-year or three-year agreement to use a specific instance of a service · One-year or three-year agreement · Discounted Azure service pricing | On request |
| Azure Virtual Desktop Hybrid | Pay a per user per month fee · Run session hosts on premises using existing infrastructure · Microsoft manages the control plane | On request |
As azure.microsoft.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Azure Virtual Desktop website
- Choose among pay as you go, savings plan, reservations, or the hybrid option
- Select an access platform: Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Chrome OS, or a web browser
Verdict
Azure Virtual Desktop offers several access platforms and multiple billing approaches, including an on-premises hybrid option. Compare the commitment structures and note that no specific plan prices are listed.
Questions
Is Azure Virtual Desktop free?
No. It is paid and has no free plan.
Which platforms can access it?
Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Chrome OS, and a web browser.
What billing options are listed?
Pay as you go, Azure savings plan for compute, Reservations, and Azure Virtual Desktop Hybrid.
How does pay as you go work?
It bills compute capacity by the second, without a long-term commitment or upfront payment.
Does it offer an on-premises option?
Yes. The Hybrid option runs session hosts on existing on-premises infrastructure, while Microsoft manages the control plane.
Facts from Azure Virtual Desktop's own pages
- Founded
- 1975 · azure.microsoft.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Greater Seattle Area · azure.microsoft.com, 23 Sept 2026
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