Windows Virtual Desktop pricing
The best virtual desktop experience, delivered on Azure
Access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise desktops and apps at no additional cost if you have an eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 license. Get free Extended Security Updates until January 2023 for your Windows 7 virtual desktop—offering more options to support legacy apps while you transition to Windows 10.
Access desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services desktops and apps at no additional cost if you are an eligible Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL) customer.
You need an Azure account to quickly deploy and manage your virtualization environment. Pay only for the virtual machines and storage you use and take advantage of options such as one-year or three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances, which can save you up to 72 percent versus pay-as-you-go pricing. Reserved Virtual Machine Instances are flexible and can easily be exchanged or returned.
| Type | Description | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Virtualize Windows 10 and Windows 7 | Access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise desktops and apps at no additional cost if you have an eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 license. Get free Extended Security Updates until January 2023 for your Windows 7 virtual desktop—offering more options to support legacy apps while you transition to Windows 10. | You are eligible to access Windows 10 and Windows 7 with Windows Virtual Desktop if you have one of the following per user licenses*:
|
| Virtualize Windows Server | Access desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services desktops and apps at no additional cost if you are an eligible Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL) customer. | You are eligible to access Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer desktops and apps if you have a per-user or per-device RDS CAL license with active Software Assurance (SA). |
* Customers can access Windows Virtual Desktop from their non-Windows Pro endpoints if they have a Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F3/Business/ A3/A5/Student Use Benefits or Windows 10 VDA per user license.
** Microsoft 365 Business Premium was previously named Microsoft 365 Business prior to April 21, 2020.
You need an Azure account and subscription to quickly deploy and manage your virtualization environment. These are the Azure components that factor into the price of a Windows Virtual Desktop deployment.
- Virtual machines and operating system (OS) storage
- Data disk (personal desktop only)
- User profile storage
- Networking
Windows Virtual Desktop session host virtual machines (VMs) including Citrix Cloud and VMW Horizon Cloud on Azure deployments are charged at Linux compute rates for Windows 10 single, Windows 10 multi-session and Windows Server. Learn how to apply your license to a deployment at the Virtual Desktop documentation.
Take advantage of options such as one-year or three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances, which can save you up to 72 percent versus pay-as-you-go pricing. Reserved Virtual Machine Instances are flexible and can easily be exchanged or returned.
Personal Desktop example scenarios
Sample use cases for single users accessing a persistent virtual desktop
| Example workloads | Number of users in scenario | Type of user | vCPUs | RAM | East US Pricing | West Europe Pricing | Southeast Asia Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics Workstation | 100 | Engineers and graphic designers with 3D modeling, simulations, and CAD workloads. Users spend 5-6 hours a day requiring workstation capability. | 12 | 112 GB | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
| Microsoft Office | 1000 | Standard knowledge workers making use of Microsoft Office products. Users work 8-10 hour days. | 2 | 4 GB | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
Multi-session Desktop example scenarios
Sample use cases for multiple users sharing a pooled (non-persistent) virtual desktop
| Example workloads | Number of users in scenario | Type of user | User density | East US Pricing | West Europe Pricing | Southeast Asia Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office | 1000 | Standard knowledge workers making use of Microsoft Office products. 24/7 RI is used to avoid need for management of virtual machines. | 2 per vCPU | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
| Call center/data entry | 1000 | Call center users with low intensity workloads, primarily engaged in data entry. Users operate in three 8-hour shifts, making a 24/7 RI instance the most cost effective option. | 6 per vCPU | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
- Are there any additional costs associated with Windows Virtual Desktop?
In addition to Azure compute and storage costs, there are potential costs associated with networking and FSLogix user profile storage depending on your environment. For additional details on modeling costs associated with these areas, visit the Networking and Storage sections in the Azure Pricing Calculator.
You are eligible to access FSLogix Profile Container, Office 365 Container, Application Masking, and Java Redirection tools if you have one of the following licenses:
- Microsoft 365 E3/E5
- Microsoft 365 A3/A5/Student Use Benefits
- Microsoft 365 F3
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium**
- Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
- Windows 10 Education A3/A5
- Windows 10 VDA per user
- Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL)
- Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Subscriber Access License (SAL)
For most applications, multi-session provides the greatest flexibility and cost savings by sharing the desktop infrastructure, preserving the state of your OS image by operating in a pooled environment, and allowing user data and settings to be saved and accessed using FSLogix.
Personal desktops are typically chosen for (a) users that require administrative rights to modify the operating system and want those changes to be retained if the VM is restarted and (b) users which run applications that are not compatible with multi-session.
For determining user density and VM specifications, please consult the guidelines for remote desktop workloads. Please note that your needs will vary and after you set up your virtual machines, you should continually monitor their actual usage and adjust their size accordingly.
For multi-session scenarios, the concurrency of your users will impact the total number of VMs that you will need for your workload. This refers to the share of users that log-in to the VM at the same time. For example, a 24/7 call center with three shifts would have a 33% concurrency of usage, so you would need fewer VMs to support those users than if they were all operating at the same time. For most business operating with standard business hours, a concurrency of 0.9 should be a good starting point.
The pricing calculator has a minimum number of 100 users for Windows Virtual Desktop. Depending on concurrency, VM type, and desired user density, deployments with few users may experience some incremental per user cost if VMs are not fully utilized.
Windows Virtual Desktop
Enable a secure, remote desktop experience from anywhere
Access your desktop and applications from anywhere
Set up Windows Virtual Desktop in minutes to enable secure remote work. Provide the familiarity and compatibility of the Windows 10 with the new scalable multi-session experience for your end users and save cost by using the same Windows licenses. Manage your end-to-end Windows Virtual Desktop deployment alongside other Azure services within the Azure portal.
Deliver Windows 10 desktops on any device, anywhere
Provide employees the best virtualized experience with the only solution fully optimized for Windows 10 and Office 365.
Built-in intelligent security
Keep your applications and data secure and compliant with security capabilities that can proactively detect threats and take remedial action.
Deploy and scale in minutes
Simplify deployment and management of your infrastructure and quickly scale based on your business needs.
Reduce cost using existing licenses
Use existing licenses to save cost with a modern cloud-based virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and pay only for what you use.
Access Windows 10 desktop and applications from anywhere, on any device.
Regardless of your device type (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or any other device with an HTML5 web client) bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and remote connect to your enterprise experience with Windows Virtual Desktop. ITs can pick whatever Azure VM will meet their teams needs and leverage the Windows 10 multi-session advantage that only Azure offers. With Windows 10 multi-session, you can run multiple concurrent user interactive sessions easily with the same deployment for more cost efficiency.
Leverage the seamless Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office experience
Provide employees the same experience as a local desktop or laptop — whether you are managing your inbox with outlook, sharing files on OneDrive or collaborating with colleagues on Microsoft Teams meetings.
Reduce cost
No additional license costs — Windows Virtual Desktop is a free service and can be used with your existing Microsoft 365 or Windows per user license.
Reduce infrastructure costs — by right sizing VMs and shutting down VMs in use. Increase utilization of VMs with Windows 10 multi-session. Avoid upfront costs and align operational expenses to business usage.
Reduce management overhead by moving all your VDI into a managed service in the cloud.
Deploy and scale quickly with Azure portal
The Azure portal is your management hub for Windows Virtual Desktop. Configure network, deploy desktop, and enable security with a few clicks. Setup automated scaling with Logic Apps and manage your images efficiently with Azure image gallery. You focus on your desktop apps and policies and Azure will focus on managing the rest.
Modernize your Citrix and VMWare virtual desktop infrastructure
Maximize investments and skills with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop service and VMware Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure to integrate Windows Virtual Desktop into existing desktop and app virtualization environments.
In addition to support for hybrid deployments, a centralized management, and advanced tooling, Citrix and VMware customers can rapidly deploy Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session on Azure virtual machines.
Windows Virtual Desktop pricing
The best virtual desktop experience, delivered on Azure
Access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise desktops and apps at no additional cost if you have an eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 license. Get free Extended Security Updates until January 2023 for your Windows 7 virtual desktop—offering more options to support legacy apps while you transition to Windows 10.
Access desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services desktops and apps at no additional cost if you are an eligible Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL) customer.
You need an Azure account to quickly deploy and manage your virtualization environment. Pay only for the virtual machines and storage you use and take advantage of options such as one-year or three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances, which can save you up to 72 percent versus pay-as-you-go pricing. Reserved Virtual Machine Instances are flexible and can easily be exchanged or returned.
| Type | Description | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Virtualize Windows 10 and Windows 7 | Access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise desktops and apps at no additional cost if you have an eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 license. Get free Extended Security Updates until January 2023 for your Windows 7 virtual desktop—offering more options to support legacy apps while you transition to Windows 10. | You are eligible to access Windows 10 and Windows 7 with Windows Virtual Desktop if you have one of the following per user licenses*:
|
| Virtualize Windows Server | Access desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services desktops and apps at no additional cost if you are an eligible Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL) customer. | You are eligible to access Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer desktops and apps if you have a per-user or per-device RDS CAL license with active Software Assurance (SA). |
* Customers can access Windows Virtual Desktop from their non-Windows Pro endpoints if they have a Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F3/Business/ A3/A5/Student Use Benefits or Windows 10 VDA per user license.
** Microsoft 365 Business Premium was previously named Microsoft 365 Business prior to April 21, 2020.
You need an Azure account and subscription to quickly deploy and manage your virtualization environment. These are the Azure components that factor into the price of a Windows Virtual Desktop deployment.
- Virtual machines and operating system (OS) storage
- Data disk (personal desktop only)
- User profile storage
- Networking
Windows Virtual Desktop session host virtual machines (VMs) including Citrix Cloud and VMW Horizon Cloud on Azure deployments are charged at Linux compute rates for Windows 10 single, Windows 10 multi-session and Windows Server. Learn how to apply your license to a deployment at the Virtual Desktop documentation.
Take advantage of options such as one-year or three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances, which can save you up to 72 percent versus pay-as-you-go pricing. Reserved Virtual Machine Instances are flexible and can easily be exchanged or returned.
Personal Desktop example scenarios
Sample use cases for single users accessing a persistent virtual desktop
| Example workloads | Number of users in scenario | Type of user | vCPUs | RAM | East US Pricing | West Europe Pricing | Southeast Asia Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics Workstation | 100 | Engineers and graphic designers with 3D modeling, simulations, and CAD workloads. Users spend 5-6 hours a day requiring workstation capability. | 12 | 112 GB | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
| Microsoft Office | 1000 | Standard knowledge workers making use of Microsoft Office products. Users work 8-10 hour days. | 2 | 4 GB | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
Multi-session Desktop example scenarios
Sample use cases for multiple users sharing a pooled (non-persistent) virtual desktop
| Example workloads | Number of users in scenario | Type of user | User density | East US Pricing | West Europe Pricing | Southeast Asia Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office | 1000 | Standard knowledge workers making use of Microsoft Office products. 24/7 RI is used to avoid need for management of virtual machines. | 2 per vCPU | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
| Call center/data entry | 1000 | Call center users with low intensity workloads, primarily engaged in data entry. Users operate in three 8-hour shifts, making a 24/7 RI instance the most cost effective option. | 6 per vCPU | See estimate | See estimate | See estimate |
- Are there any additional costs associated with Windows Virtual Desktop?
In addition to Azure compute and storage costs, there are potential costs associated with networking and FSLogix user profile storage depending on your environment. For additional details on modeling costs associated with these areas, visit the Networking and Storage sections in the Azure Pricing Calculator.
You are eligible to access FSLogix Profile Container, Office 365 Container, Application Masking, and Java Redirection tools if you have one of the following licenses:
- Microsoft 365 E3/E5
- Microsoft 365 A3/A5/Student Use Benefits
- Microsoft 365 F3
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium**
- Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
- Windows 10 Education A3/A5
- Windows 10 VDA per user
- Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL)
- Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Subscriber Access License (SAL)
For most applications, multi-session provides the greatest flexibility and cost savings by sharing the desktop infrastructure, preserving the state of your OS image by operating in a pooled environment, and allowing user data and settings to be saved and accessed using FSLogix.
Personal desktops are typically chosen for (a) users that require administrative rights to modify the operating system and want those changes to be retained if the VM is restarted and (b) users which run applications that are not compatible with multi-session.
For determining user density and VM specifications, please consult the guidelines for remote desktop workloads. Please note that your needs will vary and after you set up your virtual machines, you should continually monitor their actual usage and adjust their size accordingly.
For multi-session scenarios, the concurrency of your users will impact the total number of VMs that you will need for your workload. This refers to the share of users that log-in to the VM at the same time. For example, a 24/7 call center with three shifts would have a 33% concurrency of usage, so you would need fewer VMs to support those users than if they were all operating at the same time. For most business operating with standard business hours, a concurrency of 0.9 should be a good starting point.
The pricing calculator has a minimum number of 100 users for Windows Virtual Desktop. Depending on concurrency, VM type, and desired user density, deployments with few users may experience some incremental per user cost if VMs are not fully utilized.