Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Amazon WorkSpaces VS mDesktop

Compare Amazon WorkSpaces VS mDesktop and see what are their differences

Amazon WorkSpaces logo Amazon WorkSpaces

Amazon WorkSpaces is a managed desktop computing service in the cloud.

mDesktop logo mDesktop

mDesktop is a lightweight application that allows the user to utilize multiple virtual desktops.
  • Amazon WorkSpaces Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-24
  • mDesktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23

Amazon WorkSpaces features and specs

  • Scalability
    Amazon WorkSpaces can easily scale up or down depending on the number of users and computing requirements, allowing businesses to adjust resources dynamically and manage costs effectively.
  • Security
    Amazon WorkSpaces provides robust security features, including data encryption, advanced firewalls, and secure access controls, ensuring that sensitive information is safeguarded.
  • Ease of Management
    With centralized management tools, administrators can easily deploy, manage, and monitor virtual desktops, simplifying IT administration and maintenance tasks.
  • Anywhere Access
    Users can securely access their desktop from any device with an internet connection, offering flexibility and support for remote work.
  • Cost Efficiency
    With a pay-as-you-go pricing model, businesses can avoid hefty upfront hardware investments and only pay for the resources they use, potentially lowering operational costs.
  • Seamless Integration
    Amazon WorkSpaces integrates smoothly with other AWS services, enabling a cohesive cloud ecosystem and facilitating additional capabilities such as file storage, backups, and disaster recovery.

Possible disadvantages of Amazon WorkSpaces

  • Network Dependency
    Performance is highly dependent on internet connectivity and bandwidth. Poor network quality can result in latency issues, disrupting user experience.
  • Cost Implications with Scaling
    While WorkSpaces can be cost-effective, costs can escalate with extensive usage and high-performance requirements, making it expensive for large-scale deployments if not managed properly.
  • Learning Curve
    Implementing and managing Amazon WorkSpaces can require some level of expertise and training, which might be a barrier for organizations not familiar with AWS services.
  • Limited Hardware Control
    As a fully managed service, users have limited control over the underlying hardware, potentially leading to compatibility issues with specific software or peripherals.

mDesktop features and specs

  • Open Source
    mDesktop is open-source software, allowing users to freely access, modify, and distribute the code to suit their needs.
  • Free to Use
    The application is free, making it accessible to users without any cost constraints.
  • Multiple Desktops
    mDesktop provides the ability to create multiple virtual desktops, helping to organize and declutter tasks for better productivity.
  • Lightweight
    The software is lightweight, ensuring that it doesnโ€™t consume much system resources, which is ideal for older systems or minimalistic setups.
  • Portable
    mDesktop is portable, meaning it can be used without the need for installation, which is useful for users preferring non-intrusive software.

Possible disadvantages of mDesktop

  • Limited Features
    Compared to some more comprehensive virtual desktop solutions, mDesktop may lack advanced features such as task-specific workflows or integrations.
  • Windows Only
    mDesktop is only available for Windows, which restricts its usability for users on other operating systems such as macOS or Linux.
  • Potential Bugs
    Being an open-source project, there may be less frequent updates and potential for unresolved bugs compared to commercial software.
  • User Interface
    The user interface may not be as intuitive or polished as some proprietary alternatives, which can be a barrier for new users.

Analysis of Amazon WorkSpaces

Overall verdict

  • Amazon WorkSpaces is a solid choice for businesses looking for a reliable and scalable virtual desktop infrastructure. Its flexibility and integration capabilities make it suitable for a wide range of use cases.

Why this product is good

  • Amazon WorkSpaces is considered a good option for virtual desktops due to its scalability, security, and ease of use. It allows organizations to provision Windows or Linux desktops quickly, supports a pay-as-you-go pricing model, and integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, providing robust security and compliance controls.

Recommended for

  • Organizations with a remote or distributed workforce
  • Companies needing secure, compliant desktop environments
  • Businesses seeking to simplify desktop management and reduce IT overhead
  • Startups and small to medium enterprises looking for cost-effective virtual desktop solutions

Amazon WorkSpaces videos

Introduction to Amazon WorkSpaces Virtual Desktop Running on the Samsung Galaxy S8 with DeX Station

More videos:

  • Review - How I use Amazon workspaces for day trading
  • Review - Dive into Amazon WorkSpaces with Jeff Barr

mDesktop videos

No mDesktop videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Amazon WorkSpaces and mDesktop)
Cloud Computing
87 87%
13% 13
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Group Chat & Notifications

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Amazon WorkSpaces and mDesktop

Amazon WorkSpaces Reviews

Top 5 Alternatives to Citrix: Workspace Management Software for Secure Access to Applications and Desktops
Last but not least, Amazon WorkSpaces offers a virtual desktop feature for all. One of its notable features is that it is easy to set up, with customers having a full suite of customization options for their apps from the company's marketplace. All of that works under the e-commerce company's cloud-based server, Amazon Web Services (AWS).

mDesktop Reviews

We have no reviews of mDesktop yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Amazon WorkSpaces seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 21 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Amazon WorkSpaces mentions (21)

  • Find Unknown Table
    You need to provide more info. Is it this? Which tier? https://aws.amazon.com/workspaces/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Accessing a powerful windows desktop
    Looking for a powerful windows desktop that will compile faster than my laptop, ideally a virtual desktop like Fully Managed VDI โ€“ Amazon WorkSpaces Family โ€“ Amazon Web Services. The machine needs to run windows and be able to install Quartus Intelยฎ Quartusยฎ Prime Lite Edition Design Software Version 20.1.1 for Windows. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Delivery delays with laptops for new hires. What are my options?
    I was thinking this.. a VDI should tide them over, or an AWS workspace perhaps? https://aws.amazon.com/workspaces/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Best Solutions to Reducing E-Waste
    Virtualization has continued to improve with technology and the speed of the internet.  You can enhance your device by merely leveraging the high-performance computers in the cloud without having to worry about how good your computer is.  Upgrades are as simple as a click of a button.  Try services like Shells or Amazon Workspaces. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • How can I run Firefox from AWS?
    Yes, that should be possible. https://aws.amazon.com/workspaces/ might be easier. But either is going to be expensive to run with a usable amount of RAM. Why are you trying to do this? Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

mDesktop mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of mDesktop yet. Tracking of mDesktop recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Amazon WorkSpaces and mDesktop, you can also consider the following products

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops - Virtual desktop infrastructure for application delivery

VirtuaWin - VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called 'workspaces').

Inuvika OVD Enterprise - A cost-effective alternative to Citrix or alternative to Omnissa/VMware Horizon. OVD Enterprise deliver Windows and Linux apps and desktops on a Linux platform. Requires less infrastructure and fewer Microsoft licenses. Lower your TCO by up to 60%.

Dexpot - If you don't have Dexpot yet, the new update makes it a must-have tool for Windows, adding a ton of features to your desktop that you never knew you wanted.

Evolve IP Virtual Desktop - Evolve IP has been enabling businesses to deploy both cloud computing and cloud communications services on a single, unified platform.

Sysinternals Desktops - Desktops allows you to organize your applications on up to four virtual desktops.