Comparison · flexidesktop vs Amazon WorkSpaces
The WorkSpaces alternative that doesn't require an AWS account, an AD, or an IT team
No AWS account, no Active Directory, no IAM policies. flexidesktop gives you a Windows cloud desktop from $19/month — ready in minutes, billed flat.
Feature by feature
flexidesktop vs Amazon WorkSpaces: the detailed comparison
AWS's Desktop-as-a-Service offering, billed monthly or hourly. Reliable but assumes AWS account setup, Active Directory, and enterprise IT processes.
| Feature | flexidesktop | Amazon WorkSpaces |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
| Starting price | $19/month flat | $25/mo (Value) – $44/mo (Standard) + extras |
| No AWS account needed | ✓ | ✗ |
| No Active Directory needed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Windows apps included | ✓ | Office +$15–$21/mo |
| Hidden costs | None — one line item | Storage, AD, data transfer, Office |
| Free trial | 3 days free | Free tier with conditions |
| Setup & management | ||
| Time to first desktop | Minutes | Hours to days |
| No AWS console needed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Managed by provider | ✓ | Self-managed |
| Works without an IT team | ✓ | ✗ |
| Platform & access | ||
| Windows 10 / 11 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Browser access (no install) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Desktop (RDP) | ✓ | PCoIP / WSP only |
| Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, mobile | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unmetered bandwidth | ✓ | Metered data transfer |
| Support | ||
| Human support included | ✓ | Paid AWS support plans |
| Live chat with engineers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Onboarding help | Included | Partner-led |
How much does Amazon WorkSpaces cost?
Amazon WorkSpaces is billed per bundle, either monthly (AlwaysOn — a flat rate for unlimited use) or hourly (AutoStop — a smaller monthly base fee plus an hourly rate). These are the Windows bundle prices; on top of them you also pay for extra storage, directory services, data transfer and Office licensing.
| Bundle | vCPU / RAM | Monthly (AlwaysOn) | Hourly (AutoStop) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 1 vCPU / 2 GB | $25–$36 | $7.25–19/mo + $0.22/hr |
| Standard | 2 vCPU / 4 GB | $33–$44 | $7.25–19/mo + $0.30/hr |
| Performance | 2 vCPU / 8 GB | $45–$56 | $7.25–19/mo + $0.47/hr |
| Power | 4 vCPU / 16 GB | $70–$78 | $7.25–19/mo + $0.68/hr |
| PowerPro | 8 vCPU / 32 GB | $127–$140 | $7.25–19/mo + $1.53/hr |
| GeneralPurpose | 16–32 vCPU / 64–128 GB | $295–$590 | $19/mo + $2.28–4.56/hr |
| Graphics (GPU) | GPU bundles | $193–$4,166 | from $20/mo + hourly |
What's not included in the bundle price
- Office and other Windows apps: +$15.70–$21.43 per user / month
- Extra storage beyond the included root and user volumes
- Directory service (Simple AD, AD Connector or AWS Managed AD)
- Data transfer out of AWS
- Paid AWS Business or Enterprise support tiers
flexidesktop is a flat $19/month per desktop — less than Amazon WorkSpaces' cheapest Value bundle — with Windows, daily backups, unmetered bandwidth and human support already included. No AWS account, no Active Directory, no per-service line items.
Start your 3-day free trialBundle prices are AWS list prices for Windows desktops (US East), monthly billing, and vary by storage configuration. Verify current rates on the AWS WorkSpaces pricing page. flexidesktop pricing as published on our plans page.
Common questions about switching from Amazon WorkSpaces
- How much does Amazon WorkSpaces cost?
- Amazon WorkSpaces is priced per bundle, billed monthly (AlwaysOn) or hourly (AutoStop). For Windows desktops the monthly bundles run roughly: Value (1 vCPU, 2 GB) from $25/mo; Standard (2 vCPU, 4 GB) $33–$44/mo; Performance (2 vCPU, 8 GB) $45–$56/mo; Power (4 vCPU, 16 GB) $70–$78/mo; PowerPro (8 vCPU, 32 GB) $127–$140/mo. GPU 'Graphics' bundles range from about $190 to $4,000+/mo. On top of the bundle you typically pay for extra storage, directory services, data transfer and Office licensing (+$15–$21/user/month). By comparison, flexidesktop is a flat $19/month per desktop — less than WorkSpaces' cheapest bundle — with Windows, daily backups, unmetered bandwidth and human support included.
- Is Amazon WorkSpaces free?
- Not for ongoing use. AWS offers a limited Free Tier for new accounts (a couple of Standard bundles free for the first two months, up to a set number of monthly hours), but after that you pay the full bundle plus storage rates. There is no permanent free plan. flexidesktop instead gives you a 3-day free trial on a real Windows desktop, then a flat $19/month — no AWS account required.
- What are the alternatives to Amazon WorkSpaces?
- The main alternatives are Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 (Microsoft ecosystem), Omnissa Horizon (formerly VMware, enterprise VDI), and managed cloud-desktop services aimed at SMBs and individuals such as flexidesktop. If your goal is to avoid AWS account setup, Active Directory and per-service billing, flexidesktop gives you a fully managed Windows cloud desktop from $19/month flat, ready in minutes.
- How does flexidesktop compare to Amazon WorkSpaces on cost?
- flexidesktop is $19/month flat per desktop, all-in. Amazon WorkSpaces starts at $25/month for the entry Value bundle (1 vCPU, 2 GB), and a comparable Standard desktop (2 vCPU, 4 GB) is $33–$44/month — before storage, directory services, data transfer and Office licensing. For a 10-person team that's roughly $190/month with flexidesktop versus $400+/month with WorkSpaces once the extras are added.
- Do I need an AWS account to use flexidesktop?
- No. flexidesktop is a standalone service. You sign up directly with us — no AWS account, IAM, VPC, or AD Connector setup required.
- What's the trial like?
- 3 days free. You get a real Windows 10 or 11 desktop with the same specs as your eventual plan — run your actual workflow before committing.
- What about Active Directory integration?
- flexidesktop doesn't require Active Directory. If you already have an AD or use Microsoft Entra ID, we can integrate — but it's optional, not a prerequisite like with WorkSpaces.
- Can I connect using Remote Desktop (RDP)?
- Yes. Besides browser access, flexidesktop supports the standard Microsoft Remote Desktop client over a secure WireGuard VPN tunnel. Enable it from your virtual desktop panel — we'll send over the configuration and instructions.
