Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Amazon WorkSpaces VS TotalSpaces

Compare Amazon WorkSpaces VS TotalSpaces and see what are their differences

Amazon WorkSpaces logo Amazon WorkSpaces

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

TotalSpaces logo TotalSpaces

TotalSpaces provides a grid of spaces on OSX Lion
  • Amazon WorkSpaces Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-24
  • TotalSpaces Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

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.

TotalSpaces features and specs

  • Improved Grid Layout
    TotalSpaces allows users to organize their desktops in a grid layout, providing a more intuitive and flexible way to manage multiple workspaces compared to the default linear setup in macOS.
  • Efficient Navigation
    The software enables quicker navigation between desktops using keyboard shortcuts and the ability to jump directly to specific spaces, improving productivity for users who manage many tasks.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize transitions and animations between desktops, as well as labeling each desktop for better organization and workflow management.
  • Compatibility with Mission Control
    TotalSpaces complements macOS' native Mission Control features, offering additional functionality without replacing the existing system entirely.

Possible disadvantages of TotalSpaces

  • Limited macOS Compatibility
    TotalSpaces is not compatible with the most recent versions of macOS, which limits its usability for users who have updated their operating systems.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Some users report occasional crashes or stability issues, particularly on systems with lots of active applications or high resource demands.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve as they adjust to the interface and capabilities of TotalSpaces, which might slow down initial productivity.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Software
    Relying on a third-party application like TotalSpaces is a downside for users who prefer sticking to the native macOS ecosystem for integration and support reasons.

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

TotalSpaces videos

DIGITALYCHEE REVIEW: TotalSpaces for Mac

More videos:

  • Review - TotalSpaces ยท Gestiona los escritorios de tu Mac de manera eficiente
  • Tutorial - TotalSpaces2 & Screens - Mini Video Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Amazon WorkSpaces and TotalSpaces)
Cloud Computing
84 84%
16% 16
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Virtual Desktop
100 100%
0% 0

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 TotalSpaces

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).

TotalSpaces Reviews

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

Based on our record, Amazon WorkSpaces should be more popular than TotalSpaces. 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: almost 4 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
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TotalSpaces mentions (6)

  • Ice - open source bar manager for macOS
    This utility allows it https://totalspaces.binaryage.com/ You hit a keyboard shortcut, you get to the new space with 0 animation/transition. It can work with SIP on but only on macOS older than 10.14. They mention here this is due to some changes they make to the Dock https://totalspaces.binaryage.com/sip-details I'm not sure if the only part I care about (instant Spaces switching) would continue to work without... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Considering MBPs and am not sure (moving from Arch Linux on Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 7)
    There is a little confusion as most macOS users are not familiar with the difference between a window manager and a window tiling manager. There are a ton of great window manager (Magnet is still one of the common ones around which you brought up, but Mosaic is my favorite. Most window apps have all the same or similar features, but Mosaic includes some really advanced layout options that you can save and then... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Can anyone please identify this virtual space switching app? (From a YouTube video)
    Maybe it's a(n older) version of TotalSpaces? Source: about 4 years ago
  • Total Spaces Alternatives Yet?
    After macOS ditched the 2D space switching for the 1D thing, I got Total Spaces 2 which allows me to do the 2D space switching again. I absolutely love it and find it difficult to use the primitive built-in spaces management. However, I'm still on Big Sur v11.6, specifically because Monterey is wholly incompatible with Total Spaces, you can't even hack it to work. Unfortunately, Total Spaces 3 isn't out yet, and... Source: over 4 years ago
  • A Beautiful List of Beautiful Apps
    I also use their TotalSpaces2[3] which is an amazing Spaces manager. Highly recommend it if you run a lot of concurrent apps and windows. Once again, it's limited to <12.0 and Intel-only Macs, but they have a TotalSpaces3 in alpha they are working on trying to release at some point. Source: over 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Amazon WorkSpaces and TotalSpaces, 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.