Access a secure remote virtual desktop and app experience, delivered on Azure
Azure Virtual Desktop pricing includes two parts:
1. User access rights:
- Licence entitlement: There is no additional cost if you have an eligible Windows, Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access Licence (CAL).
- Per user access pricing: We have introduced a new option for monthly per-user pricing for access to Azure Virtual Desktop for external users only.
Find more details below.
2. Azure infrastructure costs
In addition to user access, you will need an Azure account to deploy and manage your virtualisation environment. These are the Azure components generally required to host an Azure Virtual Desktop deployment.
- Virtual machines
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Storage
Operating system (OS) storage
Data disk (personal desktop only)
User profile storage
- Networking
Azure Virtual Desktop virtual machines (VMs) are charged at Linux compute rate for Windows 10 single-session, Windows 10 multi-session and Windows Server, including Citrix cloud and VMWare Horizon cloud on Azure. To optimise infrastructure costs, you can take advantage of one-year or three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances, which can save you up to 72 per cent versus pay-as-you-go pricing.
Learn how to apply your licence to a deployment at the Virtual Desktop documentation.
Explore pricing options
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Pay as you go
Pay for compute capacity by the second, with no long-term commitments or upfront payments. Increase or decrease consumption on demand.
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Azure savings plan for compute
Save money across select compute services globally by committing to spend a fixed hourly amount for 1 or 3 years, unlocking lower prices until you reach your hourly commitment. Suited for dynamic workloads while accommodating for planned or unplanned changes.
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Reservations
Receive a discount on Azure services by purchasing a reservation, which is a one-year or three-year agreement to use a specific instance of a service.
Apply filters to customise pricing options to your needs.
Prices are estimates only and are not intended as actual price quotes. Actual pricing may vary depending on the type of agreement entered with Microsoft, date of purchase, and the currency exchange rate. Prices are calculated based on US dollars and converted using London closing spot rates that are captured in the two business days prior to the last business day of the previous month end. If the two business days prior to the end of the month autumn on a bank holiday in major markets, the rate setting day is generally the day immediately preceding the two business days. This rate applies to all transactions during the forthcoming month. Sign in to the Azure pricing calculator to see pricing based on your current programme/offer with Microsoft. Contact an Azure sales specialist for more information on pricing or to request a price quote. See frequently asked questions about Azure pricing.
US government entities are eligible to purchase Azure Government services from a licensing solution provider with no upfront financial commitment, or directly through a pay-as-you-go online subscription.
Important—The price in R$ is merely a reference; this is an international transaction and the final price is subject to exchange rates and the inclusion of IOF taxes. An eNF will not be issued.
US government entities are eligible to purchase Azure Government services from a licensing solution provider with no upfront financial commitment, or directly through a pay-as-you-go online subscription.
Important—The price in R$ is merely a reference; this is an international transaction and the final price is subject to exchange rates and the inclusion of IOF taxes. An eNF will not be issued.
Pricing overview
New pricing options for remote app streaming to external users
We recently announced a new monthly per-user access pricing option for organisations to use Azure Virtual Desktop to deliver apps from the cloud to external (non-employee) users. For example, this would enable software vendors to deliver their app as a SaaS solution that can be accessed by their customers. In addition to the monthly user price for Azure Virtual Desktop, organisations also pay for Azure infrastructure services based on usage. Learn more on how to get started with remote app streaming.
Virtual desktops
| Type | Description | Eligibility/requirement |
|---|---|---|
| User access rights | ||
| BYOL for Windows 10/Windows 7 | Access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise desktops at no additional cost if you have an eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 licence. | You are eligible to access Windows 10 and Windows 7 with Azure Virtual Desktop if you have one of the following per user licences*:
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| BYOL for Windows Server | Access desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services desktops at no additional cost if you are an eligible Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access Licence (CAL) customer. | You are eligible to access Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer desktops if you have a per-user or per-device RDS CAL licence with active Software Assurance (SA). |
| Per user access pricing for external users | Access Windows 10/Windows 7 desktops for a monthly price for external users only. |
Pay a monthly per user fee to access Azure Virtual Desktop for external users
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| Azure infrastructure | ||
| Pay as you go, Reservations or Azure savings plan for compute | Azure infrastructure is required to deploy Azure Virtual Desktop |
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Learn more on the Azure pricing calculator. Examples listed below to help you get started.
Remote app streaming
| Type | Description | Eligibility/requirement |
|---|---|---|
| User access rights | ||
| BYOL for Windows 10/Windows 7 | Access Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise desktops at no additional cost if you have an eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 licence. | You are eligible to access Windows 10 and Windows 7 with Azure Virtual Desktop if you have one of the following per user licences*:
|
| BYOL for Windows Server | Access desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services desktops at no additional cost if you are an eligible Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access Licence (CAL) customer. | You are eligible to access Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer desktops if you have a per-user or per-device RDS CAL licence with active Software Assurance (SA). |
| Per user access pricing for external users | Access and stream compatible apps for a monthly price for external users only |
Pay a monthly per user fee to access Azure Virtual Desktop for external users
|
| Azure infrastructure | ||
| Pay as you go, Reservations or Azure savings plan for compute | Azure infrastructure is required to deploy Azure Virtual Desktop |
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Learn more on the Azure pricing calculator. Examples listed below to help you get started.
* Customers can access Azure Virtual Desktop from their non-Windows Pro endpoints if they have a Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F3/Business/ A3/A5/Student Use Benefits or Windows 10 VDA per-user licence.
** Microsoft 365 Business Premium was previously named Microsoft 365 Business prior to 21 April 2020.
How to estimate Azure infrastructure costs
Below, you will find examples of how to choose the right components for compute, storage and networking to help estimate pricing. To optimise infrastructure costs, you can take advantage of one-year or three-year Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances, which can save you up to 72 per cent versus pay-as-you-go pricing. Reserved Virtual Machine Instances are flexible and can easily be exchanged or returned.
If you require Windows 7 virtual desktops, we also offer free Extended Security Updates until January 2023 – to support legacy apps while you transition to Windows 10.
Single-session (personal desktop) example scenarios
| Example workloads | Number of users in scenario | Type of user | vCPUs | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics Workstation | 100 | Engineers and graphic designers with 3D modelling, simulations and CAD workloads. Users spend 5-6 hours a day requiring workstation capability. | 12 | 112 GB |
| Microsoft Office | 1,000 | Standard knowledge workers making use of Microsoft Office products. Users work 8-10-hour days. | 2 | 4 GB |
Multi-session Desktop example scenarios
Sample use cases for multiple users sharing a pooled (non-persistent) virtual desktop
| Example workloads | Number of users in scenario | Type of user | User density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office | 1,000 | Standard knowledge workers making use of Microsoft Office products. 24/7 RI is used to avoid the need for management of virtual machines. | 2 per vCPU |
| Call centre/data entry | 1,000 | Call centre users with low intensity workloads, primarily engaged in data entry. Users operate in three 8-hour shifts, making a 24/7 RI instance the most cost effective option. | 6 per vCPU |
Azure pricing and purchasing options
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Get a walkthrough of Azure pricing. Understand pricing for your cloud solution, learn about cost optimisation and request a customised proposal.
Talk to a sales specialistSee ways to purchase
Purchase Azure services through the Azure website, a Microsoft representative or an Azure partner.
Explore your optionsAdditional resources
Azure Virtual Desktop
Learn more about Azure Virtual Desktop features and capabilities.
Pricing calculator
Estimate your expected monthly costs for using any combination of Azure products.
SLA
Review the Service Level Agreement for Azure Virtual Desktop.
Documentation
Review technical tutorials, videos, and more Azure Virtual Desktop resources.
Frequently asked questions
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For most applications, multi-session provides the greatest flexibility and cost savings by sharing the desktop infrastructure, preserving the state of your OS image by operating in a pooled environment, and allowing user data and settings to be saved and accessed using FSLogix.
Single-session (personal desktops) are typically chosen for (a) users that require administrative rights to modify the operating system and want those changes to be retained if the VM is restarted and (b) users who run applications that are not compatible with multi-session.
For determining user density and VM specifications, please consult the guidelines for remote desktop workloads. Please note that your needs will vary and once you’ve set up your virtual machines, you should continually monitor their actual usage and adjust their size accordingly.
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For multi-session scenarios, the concurrency of your users will affect the total number of VMs that you will need for your workload. This refers to the share of users that log in to the VM at the same time. For example, a 24/7 call centre with three shifts would have a 33% concurrency of usage, so you would need fewer VMs to support those users than if they were all operating at the same time. For most business operating with standard business hours, a concurrency of 0.9 should be a good starting point. Depending on concurrency, VM type and desired user density, deployments with few users may experience some incremental per user cost if VMs are not fully utilised.
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Application streaming is a way to run your apps in Azure and stream it to a remote device. This allows the app to run in the cloud near other apps and data, creating a low-latency/high-performance user experience from virtually anywhere on any device.
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Any organisation wanting to stream applications to external users (non-employees). Employees should be covered by eligible Windows/M365/Windows Server licences instead.
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What costs are involved in streaming remote applications to my customers?
Please read the product documentation page.
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Is there a limit on how many apps you can stream per user?
You can stream any number of apps for that specific user for the monthly price.
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How am I billed for application streaming?
You will automatically get billed for every user on a monthly basis as per the pricing information provided above.
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You are eligible to access FSLogix Profile Container, Office 365 Container, Application Masking and Java Redirection tools if you have one of the following licences:
- Microsoft 365 E3/E5
- Microsoft 365 A3/A5/Student use benefits
- Microsoft 365 F3
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium**
- Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
- Windows 10 Education A3/A5
- Windows 10 VDA per user
- Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access Licence (CAL)
- Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Subscriber Access Licence (SAL)
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End users are allowed to use their individual Microsoft 365/Office 365 subscriptions to run M365 Apps on the organisation’s Azure Virtual Desktop VMs. Microsoft 365 Apps licences allow users to activate on up to five devices at a time for their own use.
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