Amazon WorkSpaces

Overview

Amazon WorkSpaces delivers managed cloud desktops and applications to remote and hybrid users. It is a collection of desktop, application-streaming and browser services rather than a single fixed configuration, so the experience and cost depend on the offering, region, operating system and selected resources.

WorkSpaces Personal provides a persistent virtual desktop: users return to the same desktop at sign-in and can install applications while retaining files and settings. Other parts of WorkSpaces focus on streaming applications or secure browser sessions. The listed starting price is $25/mo, but individual rates and usage charges vary. AWS also lists a free plan and free trial.

The Free Tier includes either two Standard AutoStop desktops with 40 combined monthly hours, or five Performance AutoStop Ubuntu desktops with 100 combined monthly hours, for up to three months. These allowances are bounded by both desktop count and pooled hours.

Key features

Persistent desktops and billing

WorkSpaces Personal offers AlwaysOn monthly subscriptions and AutoStop hourly metering with a monthly base fee. Its persistent SSD-based user storage is sized according to the chosen bundle, and automatic backups are included. Amazon S3 or Amazon FSx can retain selected user settings and files between sessions.

Application delivery and software

WorkSpaces applications lets administrators build application images and stream them using general-purpose, compute-optimized, memory-optimized or GPU instance families. Customers may bring Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise licenses to WorkSpaces DaaS or buy Microsoft Office bundles from AWS. WorkSpaces also supports VDI management software from Citrix, Dizzion, Leostream, Omnissa and Workspot.

Identity, security and browser controls

WorkSpaces DaaS supports desktops joined to AD and non-AD domains, AWS IAM Identity Center brokering with providers such as Entra ID, and Intune endpoint management. Connections require TLS 1.2; AWS recommends TLS 1.3 and uses cipher suites that support perfect forward secrecy.

WorkSpaces secure browser streams encrypted pixels from a browser session running in AWS. Administrators can set controls for file transfers, printing, copy and paste, and domain allowlists or blocklists. AWS also states a financially backed service-level agreement based on monthly uptime percentage and lists 99.9%.

Pricing

The pricing model is paid, with a listed starting price of $25/mo, alongside a free plan and free trial. Specific prices illustrate how charges vary by service, bundle and usage:

• WorkSpaces applications — Windows single-session user fee: $4.19 a month, billed at $4.19 per user per month, plus provisioned instance-hour charges. The listed case is Windows Server streaming sessions; instance pricing varies by type, size and operating system.
• WorkSpaces secure browser — standard.regular (US East/Northern Virginia): $7 a month, billed at $7 per monthly active user, with $0.035 per additional streaming hour over 200. The allowance is up to 200 streaming hours per monthly active user; regional pricing varies.
• WorkSpaces Personal AutoStop — Ubuntu Linux Power example (US West/Oregon): $7.25 a month, plus $0.66 per hour. This example includes an 80 GB root volume and 10 GB user volume.
• WorkSpaces Personal AlwaysOn — Windows Standard example (US West/Oregon): $44 a month, billed at $44 per machine per month. This example includes a 175 GB root volume and 100 GB user volume.

These are distinct examples, not interchangeable flat rates. AutoStop examples include hourly charges, and application streaming can add provisioned instance-hour costs.

Platforms

WorkSpaces clients are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPad, Android, Chromebook and supported web browsers. The listed access platforms also include iOS. AWS says support for PCoIP-based WorkSpaces Personal ends on October 31, 2027, a relevant limitation for users relying on that protocol.

Who it's for

WorkSpaces is aimed at organizations delivering managed desktops or applications to remote and hybrid users. Persistent desktops suit users who need their own retained files, settings and installed applications; application streaming provides another route when people need selected applications rather than a full desktop. The secure browser offering is for browser sessions with centrally controlled transfer, printing, clipboard and domain policies.

Its range of identity, endpoint-management, storage and VDI integration options also makes it relevant to IT teams managing desktop environments. The multiple billing models and resource families offer configuration choices, but mean buyers need to match the service and region to their workload before estimating costs.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Persistent desktops retain user files and settings, with SSD-based storage and automatic backups.
• Billing choices include monthly AlwaysOn subscriptions and AutoStop hourly metering with a monthly base fee.
• Application streaming supports several instance families, including GPU options.
• Identity, endpoint management, storage and VDI integrations support organizational deployment needs.
• A listed Free Tier and free trial provide an entry point for evaluation.

Cons

• The starting price does not describe every configuration; hourly, instance and regional charges can change the total.
• The Free Tier has combined monthly-hour limits and is available for up to three months.
• WorkSpaces Pools stopped accepting new customers on July 31, 2026, though existing customers can continue using it until December 31, 2027.
• PCoIP-based WorkSpaces Personal support ends on October 31, 2027.

Alternatives

For a broader look at this category, see Cloud PC Services, Desktop as a Service Software and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software.

Other options include Dizzion Cloud PC, Shadow PC, Vagon Cloud Computer, Ace Cloud Hosting Desktop as a Service, Infosaic Cloud Virtual Desktop, V2 Cloud, MacinCloud and Windows 365.

Verdict

Amazon WorkSpaces brings persistent desktops, streamed applications and a controlled browser option under one managed service. Its storage, identity and management integrations, GPU-capable application streaming and range of billing approaches make it adaptable to different organizational deployments. The tradeoff is pricing complexity: the headline starting figure is only a guide, while actual costs depend on the offering, region, resources and usage. Buyers should also account for the stated Pool availability and PCoIP support end dates when planning a deployment.