Top 10 Companies Shaping Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Market in 2025

With the growing trend of businesses adopting remote and hybrid work models, it is essential to identify the appropriate tools that facilitate virtual work environments. The modern workplace is evolving rapidly, with remote work, cloud computing, and digital transformation becoming the norm. One technology at the heart of this transformation is virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). VDI allows businesses to deliver desktop environments to employees, regardless of location, by hosting them on centralized servers rather than individual machines. This offers flexibility, security, cost savings, and operational efficiency.

In this blog, we'll explore VDI, how it works, its benefits, and its challenges. We’ll also cover the leading companies in the virtual desktop infrastructure market. Stick with us!

What is VDI?

VDI is a software tool that allows users to access their company's computer systems from any device. It creates virtual desktops on a central server, which users can access remotely. Instead of running applications and storing data on local machines, everything is managed centrally in a data center or cloud-based environment.

There are two main types of VDI.

• Persistent VDI: Each user gets a personalized virtual desktop that saves their settings and files.
• Non-Persistent VDI: Users get a temporary desktop that resets after each session, commonly used in call centers or educational institutions.

How Does VDI Work?

Below, we’ve explained how VDI works:

Virtual Machines: Each virtual desktop runs as an independent virtual machine on a hypervisor.

Connection Broker: This software acts as an intermediary between users and virtual desktops, assigning desktops as needed.

Hypervisor: A layer of software that creates and manages multiple virtual machines on a physical server.

Remote Protocols: Technologies like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and High-Definition Experience (HDX) enable users to interact with their virtual desktops remotely.

What Are the Benefits of VDI?

There are several benefits associated with VDI. Some of them include:

Enhanced Security: Since data and applications are stored centrally in data centers or cloud environments rather than individual devices, VDI reduces the risk of data breaches, device theft, and cyberattacks. IT teams can enforce strict policies and monitor the activity more efficiently.

Cost Efficiency: VDI reduces the need for high-end hardware, as computing power is offloaded to central servers. Businesses can use cheaper, thin clients or repurpose older machines to run virtual desktops, cutting down hardware and maintenance costs.

Scalability and Flexibility: With VDI, businesses can quickly scale up or down based on workforce demand. This is especially useful for companies with seasonal employees, contractors, or growing remote teams.

Better User Experience for Remote Work: Employees can access their desktops or applications from any device, anywhere. This is a crucial thing for remote work, as it allows employees to work seamlessly across multiple locations without requiring high-performance personal devices.

Who Are Leading VDI Solution Providers?

Here’s a look at the top companies in the virtual desktop infrastructure market:

1. VMware Horizon

VMware Horizon is a cloud computing and virtualization software provider that is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA. VMware Horizon is a leading VDI solution that offers secure and scalable virtual desktops. It integrates seamlessly with VMware’s ecosystem and supports both on-premises and cloud deployments. It was founded in 1998, but then it was acquired by EMC Corporation in 2004. EMC was later acquired by Dell Technologies in 2016.

2. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops

Citrix was founded in 1989 in Richardson, Texas. The company's headquarters are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Citrix is one of the pioneers in virtualization and remote desktop solutions. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops provide secure, high-performance VDI experiences across various industries. Their solutions strongly emphasize support for high-performance workloads like graphics-intensive applications.

3. Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) was first announced by Microsoft in September 2018, initially called "Windows Virtual Desktop," before being renamed to Azure Virtual Desktop. Its headquarters are located at Microsoft's main campus in Redmond, Washington, USA. Microsoft’s cloud-based VDI solution, Azure Virtual Desktop, offers a scalable and cost-effective way to deploy Windows desktops and applications.

4. Amazon WorkSpaces

Amazon WorkSpaces is a service offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), which was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, USA. Amazon WorkSpaces is AWS’s fully managed desktop virtualization service. It provides cloud-based VDI with flexible pricing options. It offers multi-factor authentication for enhanced security and supports Windows and Linux environments.

5. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is a product by the company "Parallels," which was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, USA. Parallels RAS is a cost-effective VDI solution that provides simple, scalable, and secure virtual desktops and applications. It is well-optimized for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and it also offers multiple-device support.

What Are Challenges in VDI Implementation?

While VDI offers numerous benefits, it also comes with challenges that organizations must consider.

High Initial Investments: Setting up VDI requires investment in server infrastructure, software licensing, and IT expertise. The upfront cost can be a barrier for small businesses, though cloud-based solutions help mitigate this.

Performance Issues: If not properly configured, VDI can lead to latency issues, slow application performance, and poor user experience. Network bandwidth and server capabilities play a critical role in ensuring smooth performance.

Compatibility Issues: Some applications may not work optimally in a virtualized environment, especially those requiring high GPU performance, like video editing or 3D rendering software. Organizations must test compatibility before full deployment.

What Does the Future Hold for VDI?

With cloud computing, AI, and 5G networks advancing rapidly, the future of VDI looks promising. Following are some trends shaping the future of the industry.

Cloud-First VDI Deployments

It is a strategy where organizations prioritize deploying their Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) primarily in the cloud. More businesses are moving to cloud-based VDI to reduce on-premises infrastructure costs.

Better Support for GPU-Intensive Applications

One needs to implement GPU virtualization technology, which allows dedicated GPU resources to be allocated to individual virtual machines, enabling smooth performance for various graphics-heavy applications by offloading processing power from the CPU to the GPU.

AI and Automation in VDI Management

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation play a crucial role in optimizing resource allocation, proactively identifying issues, automating repetitive tasks, and personalizing user experiences by analyzing user behavior.

Conclusion

The VDI market is revolutionizing the way businesses manage remote work, IT security, and operational efficiency. While challenges exist, advancements in cloud computing, AI, and security are making VDI more accessible and powerful. With leading companies driving innovation, businesses have multiple options to choose from based on their needs and budget. As VDI technology continues to evolve, it will play an even more significant role in shaping the future of work.

Stay ahead of the latest trends in VDI and related technologies. Explore our comprehensive reports for detailed market insights!