Amazon WorkSpaces vs Kasm 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.

Kasm Workspaces provides virtual desktops, browser isolation, and application streaming through a workspace platform. It supports containerized sessions and virtual-machine workspaces, accessible through modern browsers without plugins, agents, or client installs. Deployment can be on-premises, in disconnected or air-gapped environments, across multiple clouds, or in hybrid architectures. Listed connectivity includes KasmVNC, VNC, SSH, and RDP. Administrators can apply group policies, role-based access controls, data-loss-prevention restrictions, and session controls. LDAP, SAML, and OIDC are supported authentication providers, and Kasm describes integrations with identity providers, security tools, infrastructure, operational workflows, and existing VDI, PAM, IAM, SIEM, and DLP initiatives. Kasm states SOC 2 Type II and CMMC Level 2 certifications, while noting that customer compliance depends on implementation and maintenance. Community is free for five concurrent sessions with no commercial use. Starter named-user licensing is priced on request; concurrent-session licensing is priced on request.