Windows Virtual Desktop vs. Citrix Virtual Apps: Which One Is Right for You?

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is going through a period of unprecedented popularity right now. 2019 was the “year of VDI,” with 78% of respondents on a surveyOpens a new window (that’s a whopping 2.3+ million desktops) having opted for a virtual alternative to traditional desktop deployments. This popularity has several drivers, ranging from easier management (85%) and mobility (81%) to greater security (66%) and availability (55%). 

In 2020, VDI deployments gained further momentumOpens a new window owing to remote working needs. 

If you are looking to adopt VDI solutions in 2021, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and Windows Virtual Desktop are among the best options. These two providers dominate the VDI segment, with 53% and 14% market share, respectively. So, which one should you invest in as you double-down on infrastructure that supports remote work and mobility in 2021? 

Here are the key parameters to consider before you zero in on the right VDI solution. 

Learn More: Three Benefits of Deploying Virtual Desktop Infrastructure in an Education Environment 

Windows Virtual Desktop vs. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 

Here is a checklist of six parameters to help you choose between Windows Virtual Desktop and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops for the 2021 VDI setup. 

1. Legacy of innovation 

Both companies are globally recognized as technology giants, but Citrix has a more impressive track record of delivering VDI solutions. The company introduced WinFrame, an early precursor to Virtual Apps, way back in 1995. It was renamed XenApp in 0208 and then again as Citrix Virtual Apps in 2018. 

In comparison, Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) was announced in 2018 and went into general availability (GA) as recently as September 2019. While Citrix has the edge in terms of its VDI innovation footprint, Microsoft has recently started paying more attention to WVD, with a special Spring update in response to COVID-19. 

This round goes to Citrix. 

2. Prerequisites needed 

By its very definition, VDI is fully virtual and relies on an external shell. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops can sit in any environment, including on-premise servers, private remote servers, or the public cloud. While this gives you flexibility, it also poses deployment complexities if you have a multi-environment computing landscape. 

On the other hand, Windows Virtual Desktop relies on a Microsoft Azure subscription, which is managed entirely by the company. You also have the option to host on private virtual machines, but expectedly not on other public clouds that might be Azure competitors. In other words, it’s simpler but less flexible. 

Here, both Citrix or Microsoft fare well depending on your business needs. 

3. Enterprise security 

As VDI is primarily meant for enterprise use, security is a top concern driving two-thirdsOpens a new window of all deployments. Enterprises have the option of hosting Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops on the Citrix Cloud so that Citrix manages your security posture. The solution has measures for securing user credentials, administrator credentials, hypervisor passwords, and directory credentials, while the “storefront” or data flow across your apps is under the customer’s ownership. 

Windows Virtual Desktop works on similar lines. As the customer, you will be responsible for network security, deployment configuration, application security, and identity & access management, just as in Citrix. However, the Azure Security Center offers additional security posture management measures such as file integrity monitoring and adaptive application controls. 

Here, Windows Virtual Desktop emerges as a winner.  

Learn More: Did COVID-19 Give a Big Boost to Hyperconverged Infrastructure? 

4. IT admin experience 

Windows Virtual Desktop can be managed from your Microsoft Azure portal, where you will be able to view all your virtual machines and networks. This is a GUI interface for assigning users and setting policies, but you might need to use PowerShell for more advanced configurations. 

For Citrix, if you have deployed via the Citrix Cloud, you’ll be able to access Virtual Apps on the Cloud Administrator portal. Or, the Virtual Apps console can be accessed on Google Chrome or Internet Explorer as a web-based remote app. 

Here, Citrix fares better suited for businesses that want to avoid the technical hassles of PowerShell. 

5. End-user experience 

This is where the difference really starts to show. User reviewsOpens a new window suggest that the experience on Citrix is far superior to Windows Virtual Desktop, thanks to its bandwidth optimization feature that lets it run apps without friction. In contrast, WVD is primarily PowerShell-based for more advanced applications and is best suited for knowledge work at a limited scale. 

Acknowledging this, Microsoft has even announced Citrix as a partnerOpens a new window in the VDI segment. Under the agreement, Microsoft will recommend Citrix as a Preferred Digital Workspace Solution, while Azure acts as the Preferred Cloud Platform for Citrix apps. As you can see, Microsoft has a stronger supporting infrastructure in Azure, but it turns to Citrix to bring superior app performance. 

Here, Citrix is a clear winner. 

6. Costs 

This is often the make or break factor when choosing digital infrastructure, including VDI. Windows Virtual Desktop is available for free if you have a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 license. It allows you to virtualize Windows 10/7 using Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure at no additional costs. Microsoft also offers tailored estimatesOpens a new window for graphics work or knowledge work desktops based on your location. 

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops start at $375Opens a new window , but this will vary widely depending on your underlying infrastructure, the use cases, and the reseller you partner with. 

Here, Windows Virtual Desktop scores better than Microsoft, thanks to its pricing transparency. 

Learn More: Why Enterprises Should Consider Intelligent Infrastructure for VDI Deployments 

Our Verdict 

Both WVD and Citrix have a lot going for them. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops have superior end-user functionalities, while Windows Virtual Desktop might be a better fit if you are already within the Microsoft ecosystem. Small businesses might prefer Windows for its transparent pricing, but Citrix is definitely better suited to software development, IT services, or any other technical work. 

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your business use case and the resources available at hand (budgets, technical expertise, server investments, and public cloud investments). The good news is that the Citrix-Microsoft partnership means that you don’t necessarily need to choose between the two in 2021. 

Citrix’s WorkspaceOpens a new window solution is now available for Microsoft-centric delivery, taking advantage of Azure Cloud infrastructure. What’s more, it is competitively priced at $2-$25 per user per month (PUPM), bringing the simplicity of SaaS apps to the robust functionality you expect from VDI. The solution includes cloud storage bundled in and security measures like encryption, information rights management, and security analytics to give you the best of both worlds. 

Which VDI solution would you choose in 2021? Comment below or let us know on FacebookOpens a new window , LinkedInOpens a new window , and TwitterOpens a new window . We would love to hear about your experience!