The key difference between Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) and Windows Virtual Desktop (now called Azure Virtual Desktop or AVD) lies in their purpose, management model, and user experience. Here's a clear comparison:
| Features | Azure VM | Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | IaaS (Infrastructure) | DaaS (Desktop virtualization) |
| OS | Any (Windows, Linux, etc.) | Windows 10/11 multi-session, Windows Server |
| User Experience | Like managing a standalone server | Seamless virtual desktop/app experience |
| Multi-user capability | No (1 user per VM unless server OS) | Yes (multi-session Windows 10/11 |
| Management Overhead | Higher | Lower |
| Best For | Custom workloads, apps, and servers | Remote desktops, virtual apps |
| Licensing | Requires OS licensing | Includes Windows 10/11 access via Microsoft 365 licenses |