Amazon WorkSpaces vs Inara Systems Desktop
Amazon WorkSpaces
aws.amazon.comInara Systems Desktop
inarasystems.co.ukSide by side
| Figure | Amazon WorkSpaces | Inara Systems Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3.25/mo | £29.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 4 |
| Spec score · Desktop as a Service Software | 9.5 (#1) | 7.7 (#8) |
| Security | WorkSpaces requires TLS 1.2 and recommends TLS 1.3, with cipher suites that support perfect forward secrecy. | The provider says data is stored in secure UK data centres and protected with SSL encryption of the kind used for online banking and secure payments. |
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
Inara Systems Desktop
- Bronze£29.99 a month
- Silver£34.99 a month
- Gold£39.99 a month
- Platinum£49.99 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.
Inara Systems Desktop
Inara Systems Desktop is a virtual desktop service that hosts email, business data, applications and office packages in UK data centres for remote access. It runs on Citrix in the Inara Cloud, and users can connect over the internet from supported devices. Listed hosted applications include Digita, IRIS, BTC Solution Suite, Moneysoft Payroll Manager, Sage, Intuit QuickBooks, Virtual Cabinet and DocuSoft; MS Office and Exchange Email are optional additions. Customers can install and configure applications and adjust desktop preferences. The provider describes secure UK data centres, SSL encryption, load-balanced replication and daily server snapshots; Granular Backup is optional. Workspace downloads are listed for macOS 10.11 or newer, Windows 10 or newer, Android and iOS 11 or newer, while the FAQ also names Linux. Plans are priced per user per month: Bronze from £29.99, Silver £34.99, Gold £39.99 and Platinum £49.99. Remote and on-site training and a UK service desk are listed.