Fully managed cloud desktops from the world's largest cloud provider
AWS WorkSpaces is Amazon's fully managed desktop-as-a-service platform — and its biggest advantage is Amazon itself. For organizations already running significant workloads in AWS, WorkSpaces eliminates data egress costs between your desktops and your applications, provides predictable flat-rate monthly pricing, and integrates natively with every AWS service your developers and analysts already use. No infrastructure to manage. No protocol to tune. Just cloud desktops that scale.
AWS WorkSpaces is a fully managed, persistent cloud desktop service offered by Amazon Web Services. Unlike VDI platforms that require significant infrastructure expertise, WorkSpaces abstracts all underlying hardware and software management — you simply choose a bundle (compute + storage spec), provision users, and manage access through the AWS console. WorkSpaces integrates natively with AWS Directory Service, Amazon S3, and the broader AWS ecosystem, making it particularly attractive for development teams, data analysts, and organizations running cloud-native workloads that benefit from co-location with AWS resources.
Deployment model: AWS Cloud Only. Pricing model: Fixed monthly or hourly per workspace. Typical price range: $25–$75/user/month (bundle dependent); hourly available. Pricing is negotiable at volume — Compare Select benchmarks quotes against real transacted deals before you sign.
Each user gets a dedicated desktop VM that persists between sessions — user-installed applications and settings are preserved, unlike pooled VDI models.
Fixed monthly pricing per workspace bundle eliminates variable compute billing. Monthly rates are often lower than equivalent Azure or on-prem options when factoring infrastructure management.
Direct, zero-latency access to S3, RDS, Redshift, SageMaker, and other AWS services. Ideal for data-heavy workloads where egress costs from other clouds are a concern.
Browser-based application streaming that requires no endpoint client. Ideal for contractors, partners, and BYOD scenarios requiring controlled application access.
Managed Microsoft AD, Simple AD, or existing on-prem AD integration through AWS Directory Service — full domain-joined desktops without domain controller management.
Deploy desktops in 20+ AWS regions, co-locating users with the applications and data they access — reducing latency for globally distributed teams.
| Alternative | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Azure Virtual Desktop | AVD has Windows multi-session (lower VM cost per user) and M365 integration. WorkSpaces wins for AWS-native workloads and predictable flat-rate pricing. |
| Citrix DaaS | Citrix offers significantly better protocol performance and security depth. WorkSpaces is simpler and cheaper for standard knowledge worker use cases. |
| Dizzion Frame | Dizzion is browser-first (zero client) and cloud-agnostic. WorkSpaces requires the WorkSpaces client but offers deeper AWS integration. |
Monthly pricing makes sense for users who work standard full-time hours. Hourly pricing suits contractors, part-time users, or teams in different time zones. Compare Select will analyze your actual usage patterns and model both to find the crossover point.
Yes — AWS offers Graphics bundles powered by NVIDIA GPUs for CAD, simulation, and media workloads. These are significantly more expensive than standard bundles but competitive with on-prem GPU workstation costs when factoring in hardware lifecycle.
Compare AWS WorkSpaces against every alternative in our VDI / DaaS / App Delivery comparison, or browse the full vendor directory. Ready for pricing? Talk to a Compare Select advisor — our guidance is free and vendor-neutral.