The Best Microsoft RDS Alternatives in 2026

What Is A Microsoft RDS?

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) delivers Windows desktops or individual applications from centralised servers to end users. It brokers identity, policy, and encrypted sessions over RDP so people can work remotely as if local. Core roles typically include RD Session Host, RD Gateway over HTTPS, RD Web Access, Connection Broker, and Licensing.

RDS supports session-based computing, RemoteApp-style delivery, printer and drive redirection, and group policy controls. Many deployments integrate with Active Directory, MFA, and monitoring to keep access governed and auditable. The goal is consistent: provide a responsive, secure user experience without exposing internal networks.

Why Would It Be Necessary to Find an Alternative to Microsoft RDS?

Teams often seek simpler administration, lower TCO, or browser-only access that avoids heavy client management. RDS can be reliable, but multi-role architecture, certificates, and hardening raise operational overhead. Per-user licensing and infrastructure sizing may also complicate budgeting for small and mid-sized environments.

Other drivers include hybrid work, contractor access, and app-centric delivery where full desktops are unnecessary. Some organisations prefer platforms with built-in HTML5 gateways, streamlined security controls, or cloud-first elasticity. When complexity, cost, or UX friction grows, a focused alternative can better align with requirements.

What To Look For in This Type of Alternative?

Start with security and access control, then validate manageability and cost. Confirm whether you need full desktops, pure application publishing, or a mix. Test real user workflows over typical WAN conditions, including VPN-less access through an HTTPS gateway.

Use a focused checklist to compare options:

• Access & security: MFA/SSO, role-based policies, auditing, hardened gateways, and RDP/protocol hardening.
• Delivery model: Native HTML5 browser access, RemoteApp-style delivery, printing and peripherals that “just work.”
• Management & deployment: Fast installs, clear policy templates, patch cadence, and monitoring with actionable alerts.
• Performance & scale: Stable sessions on WAN, connection brokering, load balancing/farms, and HA for gateways.
• Interoperability: AD IdP integration, file redirection, scanners/webcams, and seamless client updates.
• Licensing & TCO: Transparent pricing, perpetual or subscription choices, and SLAs aligned to business risk.

If the platform matches delivery needs, reduces daily toil, and passes security and cost checks, you have an alternative you can trust.

The Best 8 Alternatives to Microsoft RDS

TSplus Remote Access

TSplus Remote Access, The Practical RDS Alternative for SMB App Publishing

TSplus streamlines application publishing and browser access on top of familiar RDP. Admins value fast setup, simple policies, and predictable operating costs. HTML5 access reduces client management while keeping user workflows consistent. Perpetual or subscription licensing lets finance align spend with planning cycles. Small teams can move from pilot to production quickly with minimal overhead.

Pros

• Straightforward installation and administration that keep Windows Server maintenance predictable.
• HTML5 Web App enables secure access from managed and lightly managed devices.
• Perpetual or subscription licensing to align spending with budget preferences.
• Reverse proxy, file transfer, and RemoteApp-style sessions cover common SMB needs.
• Purposeful feature set that avoids the cost and sprawl of heavyweight VDI.

Cons

• The depth of edition features varies; upfront tier selection matters.
• Windows-centric architecture prioritises Windows apps over broad desktop virtualisation.
• As with any RDS-based stack, hardening and ongoing patch hygiene remain essential.
• Highly specialized VDI workflows may require complementary tools.

Pricing

• Perpetual and subscription plans tailored to SMBs, with optional security and management add-ons.
• Transparent tiers scale economically as user counts and requirements grow.

Reviews/Ratings

• Customers highlight simplicity, stability, and fast deployments with minimal disruption.
• Ratings are strong for ease of use and administration, especially for browser access.
• Value vs. large VDI suites is often cited for application-centric workloads.

Parallels RAS

Parallels RAS, The RDS Alternative for Mid-Sized Teams

Parallels RAS consolidates application and desktop delivery into a streamlined, admin-friendly platform. It aligns tightly with Microsoft ecosystems while supporting hybrid and Azure-based rollouts. Centralised policies, templates, and automation reduce image drift and day-to-day toil. End users get consistent clients across devices, improving support and satisfaction. For mid-sized teams, it balances capability and control without full enterprise-suite sprawl.

Pros

• Refined admin experience and clients that reduce support friction.
• Solid hybrid integrations, especially for Microsoft-centric estates.
• Broad coverage serving both application publishing and desktop delivery.
• Policy templates and automations that standardise deployments.

Cons

• Subscription-only licensing can feel premium as seats and scope expand.
• Complexity increases in multi-site or mixed-hypervisor scenarios.
• Requires disciplined image lifecycle management to avoid drift.
• Advanced features may need specialized skills to fully optimize.

Pricing

• Subscription licensing with per-user or concurrent models by edition.
• Premium bundles can raise annual spend as environments mature.

Reviews/Ratings

• Praised for consistent UX and admin polish across clients.
• Reviews mention reliable integrations and stable performance.
• Constructive feedback notes cost and complexity at large scale.

GO-Global

GO-Global, The Lean RDS Alternative for ISV Application Delivery

GO-Global focuses on publishing Windows apps without the overhead of full VDI. ISVs embed it to web-enable established desktop software for customers and partners. A compact footprint keeps infrastructure simple and easier to secure. Concurrent licensing maps costs to actual usage across time zones. Validate printing and file handling with your specific application stack.

Pros

• Lightweight footprint that reduces moving parts to manage and secure.
• Strong fit for ISVs delivering Windows apps to varied customer environments.
• Responsive app delivery for common office and line-of-business workloads.
• Concurrent licensing aligns with real usage where not all users are active.

Cons

• Narrower third-party ecosystem than enterprise virtualization leaders.
• Limited desktop virtualization if you pivot from app-only to full VDI.
• Integration breadth can be smaller; validate peripherals and workflows.
• Policy/analytics depth may trail heavyweight platforms.

Pricing

• Primarily concurrent licensing designed around application delivery.
• Lean infrastructure can lower total cost in app-only scenarios.

Reviews/Ratings

• Users appreciate lean infrastructure and straightforward management.
• Reviews highlight responsiveness and simple browser access paths.
• Some request broader integrations and a larger partner ecosystem.

Citrix

Citrix, the enterprise-grade RDS alternative for large and regulated environments

Citrix offers deep capabilities for global, complex, and regulated estates. It spans apps, desktops, analytics, and layered security for demanding use cases. Mature tooling supports multi-region governance and performance optimisation. Operational excellence requires dedicated ownership and disciplined change control. When executed well, user experience and control can be exceptional.

Pros

• Enterprise-grade breadth across apps, desktops, security, and optimisation.
• Mature ecosystem and tooling for large, multi-region operations.
• Broad peripheral and protocol optimisations for remote users.
• Advanced policy frameworks and analytics for fine-grained governance.

Cons

• High cost profile versus SMB-focused platforms.
• Complexity demands experienced engineering and automation.
• Multi-component upgrades require structured change management.
• Sprawl or mis-governance can inflate operating expenses.

Pricing

• Tiered subscriptions across app and desktop services with optional add-ons.
• Premium capabilities materially increase recurring spend at scale.

Reviews/Ratings

• Respected for scale, control, and performance optimisation.
• Users cite administrative overhead and intricate configuration.
• Successful programs invest in automation and dedicated ownership

Omnissa Horizon

Omnissa Horizon, The Rival RDS for Hybrid VDI

Horizon delivers robust virtual desktops and apps across data centres and clouds. It fits organisations where hybrid VDI is strategic, and skills are strong. Integrations with identity, hypervisors, and EUC tooling support standardisation. Security baselines and performance profiles benefit from proven patterns. Automation and observability help maintain consistency at scale.

Pros

• Flexible hybrid options across private and public clouds.
• Powerful policy, image, and profile tools for standardization.
• Enterprise-grade integrations for regulated or sensitive workloads.
• Proven patterns for HA, DR, and performance engineering .

Cons

• Requires deep expertise and continuous investment.
• Complex architecture with many design decision points.
• Premium licensing and cumulative ecosystem costs.
• Risk of operational drift without automation.

Pricing

• Enterprise-focused subscriptions with named or concurrent models
• Hybrid add-ons and management suites increase annual costs.

Reviews/Ratings

• Praised for robustness, controls, and hybrid flexibility in demanding environments.
• Feedback centres on complexity, skills dependency, and the effort to maintain consistency.
• Success correlates with automation, observability, and disciplined image lifecycle practices.

Amazon WorkSpaces

Amazon WorkSpaces, The Viable Cloud-First RDS Alternative

Amazon WorkSpaces delivers managed virtual desktops with rapid provisioning and tight AWS integration. It’s ideal for elastic or seasonal demand where cloud operations are standard. Quick pilots avoid on-prem capacity builds and speed stakeholder validation. Governance is essential to control storage, images, and egress costs. Teams should define budgets and guardrails before broad rollout.

Pros

• Rapid cloud onboarding without on-premises capacity build-out.
• Elastic scaling and managed operations reduce undifferentiated toil.
• Deep alignment with AWS identity, networking, and logging.
• Fine-grained instance choices to right-size performance.

Cons

• Costs can spike for steady, always-on workloads.
• Requires AWS skills and cloud-operating-model alignment.
• Regional pricing and availability vary globally.
• Potential lock-in if you later pivot to multi-cloud.

Pricing

• Mix of monthly and usage-based charges per desktop, storage, and session behaviour.
• Data egress, images, and auxiliary services materially influence total monthly spend.

Reviews/Ratings

• Users appreciate the speed to value for pilots and partner access, especially when standards already exist in AWS.
• Reviews cite predictable performance when configurations are standardised, and guardrails enforced.
• Warnings focus on budget drift over long-running workloads without continuous rightsizing and cost controls.

AnyViewer

AnyViewer, The Lightweight Alternative For Remote Control

AnyViewer targets remote control and support rather than full app publishing. It suits ad-hoc assistance and basic access for small teams or individuals. Fast setup enables quick troubleshooting during urgent scenarios. Role-based control and auditing are limited for compliance-heavy environments. Scope it for low-risk devices and short-duration sessions.

Pros

• Fast setup and straightforward connectivity for urgent support.
• Free tier and affordable pro plans lower entry barriers.
• Minimal training for occasional users; clean, simple workflow.
• Good fit for non-critical devices without strict policy needs.

Cons

• Limited admin depth and role-based controls for compliance.
• No app publishing; auditing and security are basic.
• Not designed for large, regulated, or multi-tenant estates.
• Scaling devices or teams exposes management constraints.

Pricing

• Free tier plus pro plans that scale with devices and sessions.
• Low entry cost; governance features remain limited at higher tiers.

Reviews/Ratings

• Praised for quick starts, low cost, and clean UX.
• Reviews highlight gaps in enterprise policy and audit trails.
• Best received for narrowly scoped support needs.

Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop, The Basic RDS Alternative for Personal and Occasional Use

Chrome Remote Desktop is free and quick, ideal for personal or occasional access. It lacks admin depth and security controls that businesses expect. Setup is simple, but governance features are minimal by design. No native app publishing or granular session policy is provided. Treat it as a convenience tool, not a primary platform.

Pros

• Zero license cost and familiar workflow for low-risk scenarios.
• Fast setup with minimal steps, ideal for occasional use.
• Runs in the browser, avoiding client deployment.

Cons

• Minimal policy control, auditing, and administration.
• No app publishing or enterprise reporting.
• Unsuitable for regulated environments and sensitive data.
• Depends on external processes for governance.

Pricing

• Free to use with a Google account for personal/light needs.
• No enterprise licensing, SLAs, or advanced admin features.

Reviews/Ratings

• Users value simplicity, zero cost, and speed.
• Reviews consistently cite security and management limits.
• Recommended as a convenience tool, not a core business platform.

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How Do These Solutions Compare?

Software	Best For	Deployment	Licensing	Notable strengths	Watch-outs	Reviews/Ratings
TSplus Remote Access	SMBs needing simple app publishing	On-prem or hosted	Perpetual & subscription	HTML5 Web App, quick setup, strong SMB value	Edition features vary; Windows-centric	Positive on ease of use and rollout speed
Parallels RAS	Mid-market app/VDI delivery	Hybrid	Subscription	Polished clients, Azure integrations	Complexity and cost as scale	Strong UX; cost/complexity noted
GO-Global	ISV application publishing	On-prem or hosted	Concurrent	Light footprint, app-centric approach	Narrower ecosystem	Praised for simplicity
Citrix	Large enterprises	Hybrid	Subscription	Feature rich, global scale	High cost and complexity	Respected; overhead frequently cited
Omnissa Horizon	Hybrid VDI at scale	Hybrid	Subscription	Robust policy and hybrid flexibility	Requires deep expertise	High marks for robustness
Amazon Workspaces	Cloud-first pilots, seasonal bursts	Cloud	Usage-based + monthly	Fast start, elastic scale, AWS integration	Cost drift under steady load; lock-in	Quick wins; watch spending and rightsizing
AnyViewer	Ad-hoc remote control	Cloud	Free + Pro	Simple setup, low cost	Limited admin/security	Good for small needs
Chrome Remote Desktop	Personal/occasional access	Cloud	Free	Zero cost, quick start	Minimal controls	Useful but basic

Conclusion

Choosing an RDS alternative depends on goals: browser-based app delivery, hybrid VDI, or quick remote control. TSplus’ solution focuses on simple, secure app publishing with strong SMB value. Parallels, Citrix, Horizon, and AWS serve broader enterprise scenarios at higher complexity and cost. Shortlist two options, run a pilot, and validate cost, security, performance, and user experience end-to-end.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most affordable Microsoft RDS alternative?

Affordability varies by seats, hosting, and security needs. TSplus targets SMB budgets with perpetual or subscription options. Free tools lower entry cost but usually lack business-grade controls and auditing.

Which RDS alternative is best for secure app publishing?

Prioritise MFA, IP/geo rules, HTTPS, and hardened gateways. TSplus adds security modules that complement Windows policies. Enterprise suites go deeper but require more expertise and budget.

Is Chrome Remote Desktop suitable for businesses?

It’s fine for personal or occasional access to non-critical systems. Most businesses need role-based access, policy, and auditable sessions. Choose a platform designed for governance and compliance.

How does TSplus compare to Citrix on cost and complexity?

Citrix offers deep, enterprise-grade capabilities at higher cost and complexity. TSplus’ solution emphasizes fast setup and simpler operations for SMBs. Many teams prefer TSplus for predictable TCO and quicker rollout.

Do RDS alternatives support browser-only access (HTML5/PWA)?

Yes—several publish apps to the browser without VPNs. TSplus provides an HTML5 Web App and reverse proxy gateway. Always test latency, printing, and file redirection with your apps.

Can I mix on-prem and cloud with an RDS alternative?

Many platforms support hybrid topologies to place workloads near users or data. Start with clear identity, networking, and routing policies. Pilot one application path end-to-end before wider rollout.

What’s the best way to pilot an RDS alternative?

Pick one high-value application and a small user cohort with defined success metrics. Validate MFA, printing, file redirection, and peak-hour performance. Track tickets, stability, and cost to decide go/no-go.