Amazon WorkSpaces vs DaDesktop
Amazon WorkSpaces
aws.amazon.comDaDesktop
dadesktop.cnSide by side
| Figure | Amazon WorkSpaces | DaDesktop |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3.25/mo | $0.12/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · Desktop as a Service Software | 9.5 (#1) | 9.2 (#2) |
| Rating on G2 | 4.2 out of 5 from 110 reviews | 4.3 out of 5 from 10 reviews. |
| Rating on GetApp | 4.3 out of 5 from 32 reviews | 0 out of 5 from 0 reviews. |
| Rating on Software Advice | 4.3 out of 5 from 32 reviews | No reviews are listed; pricing is available upon request. |
| Security | WorkSpaces requires TLS 1.2 and recommends TLS 1.3, with cipher suites that support perfect forward secrecy. | The security page says course desktop networks are isolated from other desktops and public internet access. |
| Security controls | Administrators can require MFA, encrypt volumes with AWS KMS, and restrict permitted client IP addresses. | The security page describes IP allowlisting, passwords plus two-factor authentication, isolated course networks, vulnerability scanning and automatic Ubuntu patching. |
| What it does | Amazon WorkSpaces provisions managed cloud virtual desktops that users can reach from devices or browsers. | DaDesktop provides browser-accessible cloud virtual desktops for instructor-led IT training, self-study and work. |
Plans
Amazon WorkSpaces
- WorkSpaces free tierFree
- Standby WorkSpace$3.25 a month
- WorkSpaces applications — Windows single-session user fee$4.19 a month
- WorkSpaces secure browser — standard.regular (US East/Northern Virginia)$7 a month
- Ubuntu Power hourly$7.25 a month
- WorkSpaces Personal AutoStop — Ubuntu Linux Power example (US West/Oregon)$7.25 a month
- Windows Value monthly$25 a month
- WorkSpaces Personal AlwaysOn — Windows Standard example (US West/Oregon)$44 a month
DaDesktop
- On-PremiseFree
- Private ServerFree
- Public CloudFree
- Reseller & VolumeFree
- Reseller & Volume$0.12 a month
- Public Cloud$3 a month
- On-Premise$6 a month
- Private Server$12 a month
In their own words
Amazon WorkSpaces
Amazon WorkSpaces delivers managed cloud desktops and applications for remote and hybrid users. WorkSpaces Personal provides a persistent virtual desktop that retains installed applications, files, and settings between sign-ins. Customers can choose AlwaysOn monthly subscriptions or AutoStop hourly metering with a monthly base fee. The listed Free Tier runs for up to three months: it includes either two Standard AutoStop desktops with 40 combined monthly hours or five Performance AutoStop Ubuntu desktops with 100 combined monthly hours. WorkSpaces applications supports image building and streaming on general-purpose, compute-optimized, memory-optimized, and GPU instance families. WorkSpaces DaaS includes persistent SSD-based storage and automatic backups; Amazon S3 or Amazon FSx can retain selected settings and files between sessions. Clients are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPad, Android, Chromebook, and supported browsers. WorkSpaces Pools stopped accepting new customers on July 31, 2026, while existing customers can use it until December 31, 2027. Support for PCoIP-based WorkSpaces Personal ends October 31, 2027. The pricing note starts at $25/mo, and plan examples include additional hourly or instance charges.
DaDesktop
DaDesktop provides browser-accessible virtual desktops for remote IT training. Instructors can monitor learners’ desktops in real time and offer guidance during sessions. Reusable desktop templates, snapshots, and one-click restoration support preparing and resetting lab configurations. The platform also lists video conferencing, live streaming, chat, and session recordings. For technical workloads, it offers NVIDIA and AMD GPU desktops for machine learning, 3D rendering, CAD, video editing, and scientific computing. The Public Cloud option starts at ¥4 per desktop per day, billed by calendar day rather than hour, and includes 8 GB RAM, an 8-core CPU, and 50 GB SSD. Extra resources and Windows have additional listed charges. Other arrangements include private servers, on-premise deployment on customer infrastructure, and reseller or volume plans. The on-premise option runs on the customer’s hardware and network, with data kept in that environment. DaDesktop identifies training providers, higher education institutions, coding bootcamps, software vendors, and multi-site organizations as use cases. It launched under the DaDesktop brand in 2019.