On the surface, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and desktop as a service (DaaS) seem incredibly similar. Both allow users access to virtual desktops, saving IT from installing and updating operating systems on all the machines within an organization.

Looking deeper into DaaS vs. VDI, you will find there are key differences, namely in management ownership and maintenance needs. VDI is primarily managed internally on a company’s on-premises data center, with deployment and updates managed in-house. DaaS, on the other hand, is a form of VDI that is hosted in the cloud and managed by a third-party provider. There are different types of DaaS dependent on the amount of offloaded management, but the end result is allowing the provider to stream the virtual desktops to a customer’s end-user devices.

Read on to learn more about the differences between DaaS and VDI to see which is right for your organization.

VDI: What is VDI Remote Access?

With VDI technology, desktop operating systems can be hosted on on-premises servers, in the cloud, or a mix of both. Ultimately, VDI enables users to remotely access and interact with the virtual desktop and apps on peripheral devices.

One of VDI’s defining characteristics is that it is self-managed. This means your company’s IT department is responsible for managing hardware maintenance, upgrades, software updates, and general upkeep.

Pros of VDI

  1. Simple desktop setup: Multiple groups can use pooled desktops, saving IT the time and effort of setting up individual desktops for each employee.
  2. Long-term savings: With less demand on end-user devices, hardware should theoretically last longer. Additionally, older devices can access virtual desktops without compatibility concerns.
  3. Dedicated resources: Because VDI is often hosted on internal servers rather than shared servers, all server resources are dedicated to you.
  4. Streamlined experience: With applications, operating systems, and shared tools optimized for your unique network, user experience is consistent and streamlined.
  5. Control over infrastructure: IT can use whatever management, software, monitoring, and security tools they desire, and can also make low-level configuration changes to the infrastructure when necessary.
  6. Data Security: Organizations that handle confidential or sensitive data may prefer controlling this data and related security measures internally.

Cons of VDI

  1. High upfront costs: Purchasing new server hardware, preparing a data center, and deploying VDI can be expensive. In addition to the upfront costs, VDI will require ongoing costs to maintain, upgrade, and change should your business needs grow.
  2. Robust IT needed: Because VDI is managed internally, all hardware, security updates, operating systems, and associated software must be handled in-house, requiring ongoing maintenance and support.
  3. Network performance: VDI virtual desktops must be deployed near end users’ locations to deliver an optimized user experience. A geographically dispersed workforce may experience issues with bandwidth and speed that in some cases may warrant additional VDI deployments.

Hosting your VDI in the cloud versus on premises can help mitigate some of these concerns, which is where DaaS comes in to play.

Learn more about the benefits of Citrix DaaS for your organization today.

DaaS Overview

While DaaS is essentially a VDI solution, it is unique in that can host, manage, and provide access to virtual desktops using the cloud. Many DaaS solutions are fully hosted, while others offer the flexibility to simplify management while giving IT control over hosted workloads. In contrast to VDI, third-party service providers manage DaaS integration for corporations remotely on a subscription basis, including deployment and ongoing maintenance.

The benefits of DaaS integration are becoming harder to overlook with the evolution of the remote and hybrid workforce. According to the 2021 Gartner Market Guide for Desktop as a Service, DaaS revenue grew by a staggering 98 percent in 2020, and is expected to grow by 68 percent by the end of 2021.

Pros of DaaS

  1. Simple transfer: Your organization does not need to handle the lift of configuring individual desktops, managing servers, or preparing a data center.
  2. Highly scalable: The cloud is not limited to your server space, which makes it scalable for your users and your business for seasonal use cases, unexpected changes, or growth spurts — no hardware updates needed.
  3. Management: The majority of the maintenance and management of your virtual desktops is offloaded to your service provider, easing the stress on your IT department.
  4. Agile and modern: DaaS can help modernize your data center, helping to eliminate outdated infrastructure and easily deploy new applications and tech to your employees.
  5. Predictable costs and potential savings: With a subscription model, monthly costs are more predictable and flexible in relation to the number of users you have. Not to mention the IT savings — DaaS integration can reduce hardware expenditures by 56 percent annually.
  6. Security: Keeping apps and data in the cloud centralizes access to sensitive data and mitigates the risk of lost data due to endpoint theft, loss, or damage.

Cons of DaaS

  1. Little control: DaaS can save your organization from hours of maintenance, but fully managed DaaS requires you to give up some control. This can pose a challenge for business with highly specific hardware or OS needs.
  2. Recurring costs: DaaS typically runs on subscription pricing, which means you continuously pay for service based on user count. For many businesses, the value of Citrix DaaS may outweigh the cost.

DaaS vs. VDI: Top Differences

1) Cost

Setting up servers or a datacenter to host and support your virtual desktops can cost a lot upfront. However, if your workforce will remain relatively similar in size for the foreseeable future, most costs should be limited to upfront expenses. This could translate to savings in the long term.

Download our VDI resource kit to learn more about how VDI can reduce your costs before conducting VDI pricing comparisons.

While there can be some setup fees associated with DaaS, deployment generally requires a lower cost upfront since the service provider supplies the infrastructure. And with a pay-per-user subscription model, organizations can scale or change their investment as their needs evolve. The subscription model makes DaaS a good choice for companies with temporary/seasonal or expanding workforces, as well as those working through mergers and acquisitions.

2) Flexibility and scalability

On-premises VDI configuration and deployment is generally tailored to an organization’s current needs (unless they have invested in robust business continuity planning). Because of this, businesses that are constantly changing or growing may require more agility and scale than their on-premises VDI was built to support. As businesses evolve, so do the technology and software needs, and with each virtual desktop setup, maintenance, and upgrade request comes more IT resources and expenditures. VDI can also slow your business down if your servers can’t support the size of your workforce or if security practices become outdated, putting data at risk.

In contrast, DaaS is very flexible, since the service providers supply the infrastructure, integrations, and resources to support your company’s current and future needs. While scaling DaaS will raise subscription costs, the ability to invest efficiently based on need makes it an efficient solution for many organizations.

3) Control and management

With VDI, IT has complete control over onsite VDI servers, including everyday maintenance and security, network performance, troubleshooting, and all software and hardware updates. Some data centers may provide additional management support, but the bulk of the burden will fall on your in-house IT.

With maintenance offloaded, DaaS provides organizations with a bit less internal control but can deliver advanced security benefits when it comes to data protection. In fact, 39 percent of ESG survey respondents cited keeping sensitive data — including files, data, apps, and passwords — off devices and in a secure environment was a top benefit of DaaS. DaaS can also help your business achieve compliance with recent data privacy regulations, such as GDPR.

4) Access to resources

VDI deployment is based on a single-tenant model, meaning resources and distribution are dedicated to a single organization. Because you are not sharing servers with other organizations, there is no risk of interference or interruption from other users’ demands.

This also means, however, that when your datacenter is down, all resources are unusable. This can present a challenge for businesses that operate 24/7 or encounter unexpected business disruptions, such as weather or power failures.

With DaaS, most services are multi-tenant, meaning you dynamically share resources with other organizations, which could interfere with service should there be a disruption. Some solutions do, however, offer advanced options to mitigate resource downtime. Additionally, DaaS requires access to the internet which can impact accessibility for some users or regions.

On-Premises to Cloud Migration: DaaS vs. VDI Use Cases

At a broad level, both VDI and DaaS can deliver many benefits to overall business and IT, specifically. Common VDI and DaaS solutions include:

More specifically, moving to the cloud may be a strategic choice for organizations with any of the below characteristics:

  • Temporary workforce: DaaS makes it easy to rapidly scale up or down temporary workers and contractors, perfect for situations like tax season or seasonal hiring. Once the busy season is complete, you can shut down those desktops and only pay for what was used.
  • Expanding workforce: Growing businesses may be faced with opening offices in new territories or even new countries. DaaS can help businesses instantly provision desktops without the time and complexity of setting up local IT resources.
  • Running a business 24/7: Running a business 9 to 5 is the old norm. DaaS can help keep business always-on, providing access to the collaboration, productivity, and communication tools needed to run a modern business.
  • Mergers and acquisitions: Mergers and acquisitions have layers of complexity and can happen seemingly overnight. DaaS can help the transition run smoothly by providing everyone with equal access to shared company resources.
  • Predictable IT expenses: Subscription-based DaaS makes operational spending more predictable and reduces IT costs, eliminating unnecessary hardware and software from the books.

While there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for desktop virtualization, solutions like Citrix DaaS enable organizations to deploy hybrid-cloud environments, bringing together on-premises deployments alongside public-cloud hosting to meet your business needs. Organizations can move at the pace that’s right for them and leverage existing datacenter investments alongside new DaaS workloads.

Download our eBook and learn more about how the Citrix DaaS virtualization solution meets the needs of your organization.

Why Use VDI Over DaaS?

Choosing between VDI vs. DaaS may seem difficult, as the stakes are higher than ever for companies to adapt their technology infrastructure to the remote-first world.

If your organization is stable in growth, has a geographically centralized workforce, and can handle the resources and costs involved with deployment and maintenance, on-premises VDI may provide the infrastructure you need. However, if you are looking for a more agile solution that will future-proof your business, DaaS may be the solution for you.

With Citrix, you can move at the pace that works best for your business — whether that means going all-in with your on premises to cloud migration or leveraging existing datacenter investments. We pride ourselves in providing a single solution that integrates with all the major public cloud vendors, providing organizations with the flexibility and versatility to meet their business needs. This is just one of the reasons Citrix DaaS was named the top-rated leader in DaaS solutions by IT Central Station, G2, and TechGenix.

Looking for additional DaaS and VDI resources? We have plenty. Take an interactive tour to learn how Citrix can help deploy virtual apps and desktops to your workforce, or visit our resource library for more information on Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. You can also use the cloud migration calculator to see just how much you can save with your on-premises to cloud migration.