What is the simplest Azure Virtual Desktop alternative for a small team?

A Windows VPS with RDP or RDS access: one cloud Windows Server that users connect to, at a flat monthly price, without host pools, session-host images, or Azure-native management to operate.

Do remote workers really need full VDI?

Most small teams do not. If the goal is reaching Windows apps, shared files, and accounting or legacy software, a shared server with RDS covers it. Full VDI earns its complexity when every user needs a personal Windows 10 or 11 desktop with desktop-management tooling.

What does a Raff AVD alternative cost?

Compute from $10.99/month plus the $15.00/month Windows Standard licence. Multi-user access adds RDS User SALs at $8.00/month per user. That is a flat, predictable bill rather than per-user platform pricing.

Can I run QuickBooks or legacy apps on it?

Yes, that is the typical workload: accounting, tax, ERP, Microsoft Access, and other legacy Windows software running centrally with controlled remote access, instead of being installed on every laptop.

Azure Virtual Desktop Alternative for SMBs

Learn when Raff Windows VPS/RDP is a simpler Azure Virtual Desktop alternative for small businesses that need remote users, Windows apps, shared files, backups, and office server migration.

Raff Windows VPS/RDP is a simpler Azure Virtual Desktop alternative for small businesses that do not need full virtual desktop infrastructure. If your team mainly needs secure remote access to Windows apps, shared files, accounting software, legal files, tax software, ERP tools, Microsoft Access, or an old office server replacement, a Raff Windows VM can be the more direct path. Azure Virtual Desktop is powerful when you need full VDI, Windows 10/11 multi-session desktops, host pools, RemoteApp publishing, and Azure-native desktop management.

This article is not a general Azure VM comparison. Raff already has a separate Azure VM alternative article for that.

This guide answers a more specific Windows Hub question:

Can a small business use Raff Windows VPS/RDP instead of Azure Virtual Desktop when it only needs remote access to Windows apps and files?

For many SMBs, the answer is yes.

Use Raff Windows VM when your business needs a cloud-hosted Windows Server for remote access, apps, files, and shared workloads.

Explore Windows VM

The real problem: most SMBs do not need full VDI

Many small businesses search for Azure Virtual Desktop because they need remote work.

But the actual need is often much simpler:

What the buyer says	What they usually mean
We need Azure Virtual Desktop	Staff need remote access to Windows apps
We need cloud desktop	Users need the same apps and files from home
We need VDI	We are tired of remoting into office PCs
We need RemoteApp	Users need one or two business apps
We need Azure remote desktop	Our old office server is hard to access
We need secure remote access	RDP/VPN/workstation access is messy

Azure Virtual Desktop may solve those problems, but it may also introduce more platform than the business needs.

If the business does not need host pools, Windows 10/11 multi-session desktops, image management, FSLogix profile strategy, RemoteApp publishing, and Azure-native governance, a Windows VPS/RDP model can be simpler.

What Raff Windows VPS/RDP gives small businesses

Raff Windows VM gives small businesses a cloud-hosted Windows Server environment that users can access with Remote Desktop.

That means your team can run Windows-based workloads in one central place instead of depending on individual office PCs or local servers.

Raff Windows VPS/RDP feature	Why it matters for SMBs
Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025 options	Choose the Windows Server version your apps support.
Full administrator access	Install supported apps, configure roles, manage users, and control the server.
RDP-ready access	Users and admins can connect to the Windows environment remotely.
Fast deployment	Start testing without waiting for physical hardware.
AMD EPYC processors and NVMe SSD storage	Gives business apps a strong infrastructure foundation.
Unmetered bandwidth	Helps avoid surprise bandwidth bills for normal SMB usage.
99.9% uptime SLA	Useful for teams relying on the server for daily access.
24/7 support	Important when RDP, Windows, or app access affects business work.
Backups and snapshots	Helps protect the server before changes, migration, and production use.
Private networking and DDoS protection	Useful when designing safer business infrastructure.
API and Terraform support	Helpful for MSPs and technical teams managing repeatable environments.

The point is not that Raff Windows VPS has every AVD feature. It does not. The point is that many small businesses do not need every AVD feature.

They need a reliable Windows Server they can connect to, manage, back up, and use for business workloads.

Azure Virtual Desktop is powerful, but it is a different product

Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft’s desktop and app virtualization service on Azure. It can deliver full desktops and remote applications, including Windows 10/11 multi-session experiences.

That is useful when the business needs a true VDI platform.

AVD can involve:

AVD component	What it means
Host pools	Groups of session hosts that deliver desktops or apps
Session hosts	Virtual machines that run user sessions
Application groups	Published desktops or RemoteApps
Workspaces	User-facing organization of resources
User profiles	Often requires profile-container planning
Azure identity and networking	Entra ID, AD DS, Azure networking, and access design
Scaling plans	Capacity management for changing user demand
Image management	Standardized desktop/app images
Azure monitoring and governance	Operational management inside Azure

That is valuable for the right organization. But it can be too much platform for a small business that only needs a Windows Server environment for apps, files, and RDP access.

When Raff Windows VPS/RDP is the smarter path

Raff Windows VPS/RDP is usually the better starting point when the business needs a practical cloud Windows Server.

Comparison visual showing a complex cloud server setup versus a simpler Windows VPS RDP path for small business remote access, Windows apps, shared files, backups, and storage

Business need	Why Raff Windows VPS/RDP fits
Remote employees need Windows apps	Users connect to one hosted Windows environment.
Business apps run on Windows Server	The VM becomes the app environment.
Shared folders and mapped drives matter	Use Windows Server file shares and permissions.
Old office server needs replacement	Move to a cloud Windows Server model.
Accounting or legal teams need central files	Keep apps, files, reports, and backups in one environment.
MSP needs repeatable client setup	Standardize client Windows environments.
Small team needs predictable infrastructure	VM pricing is easier to understand than full AVD design.
Migration needs to be simple	Build, test, sync, cut over, and keep rollback ready.

The practical rule:

If you need a cloud Windows Server, use Windows VPS. If you need full desktop virtualization, evaluate AVD.

When Azure Virtual Desktop is still the better fit

Be honest about the boundary. Azure Virtual Desktop is better when the business actually needs VDI.

Choose AVD when you need:

Requirement	Why AVD fits
Windows 10/11 multi-session desktop	AVD is built for this scenario.
Full virtual desktop infrastructure	Host pools, session hosts, workspaces, and app groups are native.
RemoteApp publishing at scale	AVD is designed for app/desktop delivery.
Enterprise desktop governance	Azure-native management can be valuable.
Large desktop fleet	AVD scales for broader desktop strategies.
Standardized desktop images	Image management is part of the VDI model.
Mature Azure operations team	More moving parts are easier to operate.
Existing AVD architecture	Staying with AVD may be better than rebuilding.

Raff Windows VPS is not a full AVD replacement for enterprise desktop virtualization. It is a simpler alternative for SMBs that never needed full VDI.

Raff Windows VPS/RDP use cases

Remote employees

Remote employees often need access to Windows apps, shared files, and reports. They do not always need a full virtual desktop platform.

A Raff Windows VM can give remote staff a central environment for:

Need	Example
Windows apps	Accounting, ERP, Access, legal, tax, or legacy apps
Shared files	Department folders, client files, project folders
Reports	PDFs, Excel exports, app reports
Remote access	RDP/RDS-style access planning
Backups	VM, file, app, and snapshot protection
MSP support	Central server instead of many office PCs

Accounting firms

Accounting firms often compare VDI tools because staff need access to QuickBooks, Sage, tax software, client folders, PDFs, and reports.

For many accounting firms, Raff Windows VPS/RDP is a cleaner starting point:

Accounting need	Raff Windows VPS/RDP fit
QuickBooks Desktop	Central Windows environment after licensing/vendor checks
Sage 50/100/300	Sized Windows Server environment
Tax software	Seasonal remote users and client files
Client folders	Centralized file structure and permissions
Backups	Protect app data, files, and server state
Remote staff	Access from home or branch office

Law firms

Law firms need controlled access to case files, legal apps, scanned documents, templates, billing exports, and PDFs.

A Raff Windows VM can help when:

Law firm need	Raff Windows VPS/RDP fit
Case files	Central shared folders with permissions
Legal apps	Hosted Windows Server environment where supported
Remote attorneys/paralegals	Access through a planned remote model
Confidential files	Named users and access groups
Backups	Restore planning for case files and app data
Office server replacement	Move away from local hardware dependency

File server replacement

Some buyers think they need AVD, but the real requirement is a cloud file server.

A Raff Windows VM can work as a cloud file server when users access files through Remote Desktop, RD Gateway, VPN/private access, or another controlled model.

File server need	Raff Windows VPS/RDP fit
Shared folders	Central location for business files
NTFS permissions	Users and groups
Mapped drives	Familiar Windows workflow
Remote access	Access inside the hosted session
Backups	File-level and VM-level protection
Migration	Move from old local server to cloud Windows Server

Do not expose SMB directly to the public internet.

MSP client environments

MSPs often need repeatable Windows environments for different clients.

Raff Windows VPS/RDP can help MSPs standardize:

MSP need	Raff fit
One server per client	Cleaner isolation and documentation
Remote users	Planned RDP/RDS/RD Gateway model
Client apps	Install supported Windows apps
Backups	Standard backup/snapshot process
Migration	Build, test, cut over, rollback
Support	Central environment instead of many PCs

Review remote users, apps, files, RDS licensing, backups, migration scope, and whether your business needs Windows VPS or full VDI.

Talk to Windows Engineer

Simple Raff Windows VPS/RDP architecture

For many SMBs, the architecture can be simple.

Text

Remote users
    ↓
Secure access model
RDP / RDS / RD Gateway / VPN
    ↓
Raff Windows VM
    ↓
Windows apps + shared files + reports
    ↓
Backups + snapshots + restore planning

The important part is not only the VM. It is the whole operating model.

Plan:

Layer	What to decide
Users	Who connects and from where?
Access	Admin RDP, RDS Session Host, RD Gateway, VPN, or RemoteApp-style use?
Apps	Which Windows apps will run? Are they supported?
Files	Which folders move? What permissions apply?
Licensing	Windows, RDS CALs, SQL Server, app licenses, Microsoft 365 Apps
Security	Firewall, user accounts, offboarding, logs, passwords
Backups	VM backup, file backup, app/database backup, snapshots
Migration	Test copy, user testing, cutover, rollback
Support	Who owns Windows, app, user, and backup issues?

This is the difference between “just opening RDP” and running a real remote business environment.

RDP, RDS, and licensing still matter

A Windows VPS with RDP access does not automatically mean unlimited staff desktop sessions.

There are different access models:

Access model	Best fit
Admin RDP	One or two administrators managing the server
RDS Session Host	Multiple staff users need desktop/app sessions
RD Gateway	Controlled access to RDS resources over the internet
VPN/private access	Users connect privately before accessing internal services
RemoteApp-style workflow	Users need specific apps rather than a full desktop

Microsoft states that each user or device connecting to an RD Session Host running Windows Server needs a Remote Desktop Services Client Access License. Microsoft also explains that Azure Virtual Desktop licensing has eligible license requirements for users, depending on the scenario.

Practical takeaway:

Raff provides the Windows VM infrastructure. The customer or MSP still needs to plan RDS CALs, app licenses, Microsoft licenses, and vendor support.

Why Raff Windows VPS/RDP can be easier to price

Azure Virtual Desktop cost estimation can include Azure compute, session hosts, storage, user profiles, networking, monitoring, scaling choices, and eligible user licensing.

Raff Windows VPS is usually easier for SMBs to budget because the core model starts with a Windows VM plan, then adds the workload decisions: users, storage, backups, application licenses, RDS CALs, and migration.

Pricing area	Raff Windows VPS/RDP approach
Base server	Choose a Windows VM plan
Users	Size by active users and workload
Storage	Plan files, profiles, apps, databases, and growth
Bandwidth	Raff pricing page lists unmetered bandwidth on Cloud Server plans
Backups/snapshots	Plan data protection before production
Licensing	Review Windows, RDS, SQL, Microsoft 365 Apps, and app licenses
Support	Include Windows/app/user support ownership
Migration	Plan test migration, cutover, and rollback

Raff’s public Windows VM page lists Windows VPS hosting from $10.99/month, full admin access with RDP, Windows Server 2019/2022/2025 options, a 6-month Windows Server evaluation license to get started, 24/7 expert support, and a 99.9% uptime SLA.

Check the live pricing page for current plan details before you commit.

Compare Raff Windows VM plans when weighing CPU, memory, storage, backups, and monthly cost against Azure Virtual Desktop complexity.

View Pricing

Feature checklist: why SMBs choose Raff Windows VPS/RDP

Use this buyer checklist when comparing Raff Windows VPS/RDP with a bigger VDI platform.

Feature	Why it supports SMB remote access
Full admin access	Install and manage supported Windows apps
RDP-ready server	Access the Windows environment remotely
Windows Server version choice	Match app compatibility requirements
AMD EPYC + NVMe SSD	Strong base for business apps and files
Unmetered bandwidth	Reduces bandwidth surprise for normal use
Private networking	Useful for multi-server or MSP designs
DDoS protection	Helps protect public-facing infrastructure
Backups and snapshots	Supports safer changes and recovery planning
24/7 support	Useful when Windows access affects business work
99.9% uptime SLA	Helps with daily operational confidence
Fast deployment	Start testing without physical hardware
API/Terraform support	Helpful for technical teams and MSPs

The best feature is not one checkbox. It is the combination of simple Windows access, practical pricing, business-app fit, and a supportable migration path.

Sizing Raff Windows VPS/RDP for remote users

Do not size by employee count only. Size by concurrent users and workload.

Workload	Starting point	When to move up
1-2 admins or light users	2 vCPU / 4 GB RAM	If users run apps or reports
3 light remote users	4 vCPU / 8 GB RAM	If users open Office apps, PDFs, or browsers
3-5 active business app users	4 vCPU / 16 GB RAM	Better for accounting, legal, tax, ERP, Access, or legacy apps
5-10 active users	8 vCPU / 32 GB RAM	If the VPS becomes a daily shared workspace
App plus SQL/database workload	8-16 vCPU / 32-64 GB RAM	Consider separating app and database roles
File-heavy team	Size storage first	Files, profiles, exports, scans, and growth matter

Security planning before using Raff as an AVD alternative

A simpler platform does not mean careless setup.

Minimum security plan:

Security area	Recommendation
Named users	Avoid shared accounts
Admin separation	Separate admin and daily user accounts
RDP exposure	Avoid broad direct exposure
RD Gateway/VPN	Use controlled access where appropriate
Firewall rules	Restrict allowed sources and ports
Permissions	Use groups and least privilege
Local redirection	Control drive, clipboard, and printer redirection where needed
Backups	Protect backups from deletion or ransomware
Updates	Patch Windows and apps deliberately
Logs	Review failed sign-ins and unusual activity
Offboarding	Remove access quickly when users leave

Migration path from office server or office PCs

Many SMBs considering Azure Virtual Desktop are really trying to escape old office infrastructure.

A simpler Raff Windows VPS migration path:

Inventory users, apps, files, databases, printers, scanners, and integrations.
Confirm app vendor support for Windows Server/RDS or hosted use.
Choose the Windows VM size.
Build the Raff Windows VM.
Configure users, firewall, access model, and backups.
Install Windows apps and dependencies.
Copy test data first.
Test real user workflows.
Test printing, PDFs, reports, file paths, and database access.
Run a restore test.
Schedule cutover outside critical work hours.
Move final data.
Keep the old environment available for rollback.
Monitor performance and support tickets after cutover.

When Raff Windows VPS is not the right AVD alternative

Raff Windows VPS/RDP is strong for SMB Windows Server workloads, but it is not right for every AVD search.

Do not use Raff Windows VPS as an AVD alternative when:

Requirement	Better fit
Windows 10/11 multi-session desktop is mandatory	Azure Virtual Desktop
Enterprise VDI is the actual project	Azure Virtual Desktop
Host pools, app groups, and image management are required	Azure Virtual Desktop
RemoteApp publishing at scale is central	Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure-native governance is mandatory	Azure Virtual Desktop
Large desktop fleet management is required	Azure Virtual Desktop
Internal IT already has a mature AVD environment	Azure Virtual Desktop may be better

This honesty helps the right buyer trust the recommendation.

How Raff fits

Raff fits small businesses that need remote Windows access without building a full Azure Virtual Desktop environment.

Use Raff Windows VPS/RDP when your business wants:

Windows Server in the cloud;
full admin access;
RDP-ready access;
remote employees;
accounting, legal, tax, ERP, Access, and legacy apps;
shared files and folders;
office server replacement;
simpler pricing;
backup and snapshot planning;
a realistic migration path.

Raff does not replace Azure Virtual Desktop for enterprise VDI. Raff is the simpler Windows VPS/RDP path when your SMB needs a reliable cloud Windows Server for apps, files, users, and backups.

Create a Raff Windows VM when your business is ready to run remote users, Windows apps, shared files, and SMB workloads in the cloud.

Deploy Windows Now

Recommended path by situation

Situation	Read next
You need the SMB buyer guide	Windows VPS Hosting for Small Businesses
You need remote staff access	Windows VPS for Remote Employees
You need a Remote Desktop business guide	Remote Desktop Server for Business
You need secure RDP planning	Remote Desktop Gateway vs Direct RDP
You need pricing clarity	Windows VPS Pricing Explained
You need shared files	Windows VPS as a Cloud File Server
You are replacing office hardware	Cloud Windows Server vs Local Office Server
You are migrating from local server	Local Office Server to Cloud Windows VPS Migration
You are comparing Azure VM cost	Azure VM Alternative: Raff Windows VPS
You are comparing dedicated hardware	Windows VPS vs Dedicated Server

Final checklist: should you use Raff Windows VPS/RDP instead of AVD?

Before deciding, answer:

Question	Answer
Do users need Windows 10/11 virtual desktops?	☐
Do users need full VDI with host pools and app groups?	☐
Do users mainly need Windows Server apps and files?	☐
Are you replacing an old office server or office PC access model?	☐
Which business apps will run?	☐
Does the app vendor support Windows Server/RDS or hosted use?	☐
How many active users will connect?	☐
Are RDS CALs required?	☐
Are app licenses separate?	☐
How much storage and growth are expected?	☐
Are backups and snapshots planned?	☐
Has restore testing been planned?	☐
Is secure access planned?	☐
Who supports the Windows server and apps?	☐
What is the migration and rollback plan?	☐

If the answer is mostly “we need apps, files, remote access, and an office server replacement,” Raff Windows VPS/RDP is probably the simpler path.

What's next

Explore Raff Windows VM when you are ready to compare Windows VM options.
Review Raff pricing before choosing CPU, RAM, storage, and monthly cost.
Read Windows VPS for Remote Employees if remote work is the main driver.
Read Remote Desktop Server for Business before rolling out staff access.
Read Windows VPS Hosting for Small Businesses for the broader SMB decision guide.
Read Azure VM Alternative: Raff Windows VPS if you are comparing Azure Windows VM pricing and infrastructure.

Sources

Microsoft Learn — Azure Virtual Desktop documentation
Microsoft Learn — What is Azure Virtual Desktop?
Microsoft Learn — Licensing Azure Virtual Desktop
Microsoft Learn — Understand and estimate costs for Azure Virtual Desktop
Microsoft Azure — Azure Virtual Desktop pricing
Microsoft Learn — License Remote Desktop Services with Client Access Licenses
Raff — Windows VM product page
Raff — Pricing
Raff — Windows Server Hub
Raff — Azure VM Alternative: Raff Windows VPS

Azure Virtual Desktop Alternative: Raff Windows VPS/RDP for Small Businesses