Comparing DaaS or VDI solutions vs VPNs: How do they stack up?
Choosing the right technology or software solution for your organization can be nearly as stressful as setting it up—if not more so.
There’s so much to consider. Does it fit the budget? Does it do everything we need it to? What do we have to do to keep things secure? Are there any hidden fees, vendor lock-ins, or potential compatibility issues to be aware of?
If you’ve been looking at options for remote access or virtual application and virtual desktop delivery—because your organization needs one for remote or hybrid work, there’s a new BYOD policy the C suite is considering, or you’ve got a batch of contractors coming in—let’s simplify your job.
Read on to explore three popular options and see how virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), desktop-as-a-service (DaaS), and virtual private networks (VPN) stack up.
Ready to skip ahead and try a new remote desktop and application delivery solution? Get your free trial of Parallels RAS for VDI or Parallels DaaS today.
VDI vs DaaS vs VPN: How are they different?
When you’re searching for remote work solutions, there are some key differences to know. VDI and DaaS solutions give users remote access to virtual desktops, which work the same way as a regular desktop. In contrast, a VPN connects physical devices, along with all their existing apps and storage, to private networks through remote access.
Let’s examine how virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), desktop-as-a-service (DaaS), and virtual private network (VPN) solutions differ.
| VDI | DaaS | VPN | |
| Functionality | Full virtual desktop through organization’s data center | Full virtual desktop through subscription service | Remote access to network for existing physical device |
| Control over local devices | Isolates virtual desktops from physical device through data center for access control | Isolates virtual desktops from physical device through third-party provider | No contribution to IT team’s control over devices |
| Cost | High upfront investment, long-term expenses for upkeep and administration | Monthly or annual subscription fee | Monthly or annual subscription fee |
| Management complexity | IT team is responsible for maintaining and updating fleet of virtual desktops through servers | Cloud provider is responsible for managing updates, OSs, and applications | IT team is responsible for installing and updating client on endpoints |
| Security | Organizational data stays isolated on servers | Organizational data stays isolated in secure cloud environment | Connections are encrypted but organizational data is accessible to compromised devices |
| Performance | Allocates resources as needed | Allocates resources as needed | Can experience issues with high demand or large files |
| User experience | Provides user with familiar desktop experience with little user effort | Provides user with familiar desktop experience with little effort or maintenance | May require some user setup and maintenance |
Functionality
VDI setups allow IT admins to provide users with access to a full virtual desktop, configured to include required apps, access levels, files, and operating systems. Traditional VDI hosts these desktops on remote servers within an organization’s own data center.
DaaS systems allow users remote access to full virtual desktops that include organizationally defined operating systems and applications following a subscription model where the servers are hosted in the cloud and managed by a third-party provider.
VPNs provide remote access by securely connecting endpoints to an organization’s central network. They don’t offer any additional functionality or control over apps, systems, or files.
Control over local devices and hardware
VDI operates centrally through an organization’s data center, isolating virtual desktops from physical devices and providing a level of control. This gives IT teams a single access point to update virtual desktops, add or remove apps, connect resources, and more. Teams can also monitor usage and access.
DaaS also operates centrally, running through a third-party provider. It isolates virtual desktops from endpoints and protects against unauthorized access. IT teams get a web-based management portal where they can configure virtual desktops, adjust golden images, manage users, and more.
VPNs operate as a bridge between a network and an endpoint. They don’t contribute to an IT team’s control over devices and hardware.
Cost
VDI usually means a higher upfront investment, with the major costs being hardware setup and management. Since the VDI provider (in the case of hosted VDI) or the organization (for on-premises VDI) is responsible for maintaining the servers and data center, a significant portion of long-term expenses goes toward upkeep and IT administration.
DaaS is primarily offered as a subscription service, so its costs are on a monthly or annual per-seat basis. It generally involves more backend infrastructure and ongoing management by the provider—such as hosting virtual desktops, maintaining OS images, and managing application delivery.
VPN solutions are generally less expensive to set up and maintain. Most of the cost of a VPN comes from the provider’s subscription fee.
Management complexity
VDI is relatively complex to manage because it requires more IT effort. Teams must maintain and update virtual desktops across the organization’s fleet. That said, IT personnel can do this centrally from the organization’s servers, so they don’t need access to individual devices.
DaaS is typically managed by a cloud provider, which removes a lot of the weight of handling devices, OSs, updates, and applications from the organization.
VPNs are relatively straightforward to manage. Once an organization has chosen a provider, it’s a matter of installing and updating the VPN client on endpoint devices.
Security
VDI stores data on centralized servers and provides access to local devices through virtual desktops, so data never actually leaves the servers. This minimizes overall attack surface and allows organizations to align with Zero Trust principles.
DaaS often includes built-in security measures to protect organizations and their data from unauthorized access. Like VDI, it isolates data away from individual devices on centralized servers, which means it fits within a Zero Trust network architecture.
VPNs encrypt the data that travels through a secure connection but don’t provide security beyond that.
A VPN solution uses users’ existing devices and doesn’t affect storage. However, VPNs traditionally also grant network access to an entire device, which can mean that without additional security measures, a compromised device could be allowed unfettered access to the whole network.
Performance
VDI and DaaS solutions alike allocate resources to the virtual desktops they provide as those resources are needed. This means they can scale up or down as demand changes, reducing the strain on the system and ensuring consistent user performance.
VPNs can experience performance issues during periods of high demand or when large files need to travel through the encrypted tunnel.
User experience
Both VDI and DaaS systems scale up or down based on the demand, so users won’t run into issues like lagging as you would with a VPN solution. They are both considered user-friendly solutions because they allow users to access a familiar desktop interface without setup or maintenance on the user’s part.
They can both be affected by network connectivity issues and software or hardware malfunctions.
VPN solutions may require some user setup and maintenance and users may run into performance issues when demand scales up.
When should you use DaaS or VDI instead of a VPN?
We hinted at this earlier—both DaaS and VDI are good alternatives to a VPN, but which one you pick depends on what you’re using it for.
Potential use cases for VDI
VDI is great for large-scale enterprise use cases, especially when there’s a mix of permanent and seasonal workers who need to access the network remotely. For example, manufacturing companies with fluctuating seasonal staff or large call centers benefit from VDI’s robust infrastructure and centralized control.
In addition, hospitals and large healthcare providers often use VDI because it allows strict control over sensitive patient data and supports compliance with regulations like HIPAA.
With VDI, healthcare IT teams can centralize and secure electronic health records (EHRs), imaging systems, and clinical applications, while ensuring authorized staff can access desktops securely—even from shared workstations or remote locations.
Potential use cases for DaaS
On the other hand, DaaS is ideal for use cases that require additional flexibility—it’s easy to scale up or down with on-demand variations.
Industries like education leverage DaaS to provide students with virtual lab desktops that can be quickly provisioned and deprovisioned each semester. Similarly, marketing agencies or software testing teams use DaaS to spin up temporary workstations for short-term projects, benefiting from pay-as-you-go pricing and reduced IT overhead.
DaaS can also be a good fit for settings that require flexibility and rapid scaling. It allows quick provisioning of virtual desktops and apps for contract staff, specialists working remotely, or seasonal workers.
5 reasons to replace VPNs with VDI or DaaS
If you’re considering a VPN alternative like VDI or DaaS, you might wonder why you would actually do that.
Because while VPNs do provide users with remote access to resources, there are a few important things they can’t do.
1. Better control over applications
VDI and DaaS solutions both give IT teams granular control over which applications (and which versions of them) are published on virtual desktops.
This prevents users from adding unauthorized software, downloading potentially malicious programs, or other risky behavior that can result in security issues.
2. Centralized management
VDI and DaaS solutions allow for IT teams to manage an organization’s virtual desktops together in one centralized location.
This makes it much easier for IT teams to update, repair, and secure desktops.
3. Better security posture
VDI and DaaS solutions store your data in a centralized server, away from endpoint devices. This prevents unauthorized access to a device from reaching any corporate assets or data.
4. Improved user experiences
VDI and DaaS solutions deliver a consistent user experience on every virtual desktop, regardless of the device being used.
5. Data backup and recovery features
Data backup and recovery processes are simpler with VDI and DaaS solutions because they store, secure, and recover data for each virtual desktop centrally.
In contrast, with a VPN solution, backups and recovery must be managed individually on each connected device.
What is a Zero Trust alternative to VPNs?
Zero Trust isn’t a single security method. It’s a policy, a framework for cybersecurity that applies specific measures across the board through defined steps.
It assumes no device or user can be trusted, and every request has to be verified. A Zero Trust strategy often includes a combination of continuous verification and internal control methods, including identity verification like multifactor authentication (MFA), device and network monitoring, limited access based on roles, and so on.
By nature, VPNs operate on a verify, then trust model. After the initial request is verified, that user or device is granted the keys to the kingdom, as it were. They can access the network freely without any restrictions or further verification.
This is problematic from a cybersecurity standpoint because if a bad actor gets access through that one verification point, there’s nothing else in their way.
Both DaaS and VDI solutions fit into a Zero Trust architecture in a few different ways.
Data isolation
By nature, VDI and DaaS setups both isolate sensitive data from individual devices, which reduces an organization’s attack surface even in remote work or BYOD environments.
Built-in security
They often come with built-in security measures, including identity verification methods.
Admin control
They allow IT teams to control the software permitted on each device and handle updates and changes, so there’s a lower risk of zero-day vulnerabilities.
How can Parallels RAS or Parallels DaaS replace a VPN?
Looking for a more robust option, or just not sure a VPN is the right choice for your organization?
Parallels RAS is a VDI solution that provides an alternative to a VPN—but with a Zero Trust approach, virtual app and desktop delivery, and control for your IT team.
Parallels DaaS is a Desktop-as-a-Service solution that streams virtual desktops and applications directly to users. You’ll be able to manage deployment, maintenance, and users in one place, balancing security and simplicity for your IT team and end users alike.
Overcome your secure remote access challenges
Finding the right software for your organization can be time-consuming—and often involves a bit too much trial and error. Simplify your search for a secure remote access and virtual desktop and application delivery solution with Parallels RAS and Parallels DaaS. Let us take the heavy lifting out of the process.
See for yourself how VDI and DaaS solutions can improve your organization’s security and more. Test out Parallels RAS or Parallels DaaS—start your free trial today.
