Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs VMware Fusion Pro comparison

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs. VMware Fusion Pro

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Remote Desktop Se...

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Remote Access (3rd)

VMware Fusion Pro

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

3rd

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2026, in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category, the mindshare of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is 5.7%, down from 6.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of VMware Fusion Pro is 10.1%, down from 25.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
VMware Fusion Pro	10.1%
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services	5.7%
Other	84.2%

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Featured Reviews

reviewer2795433

Cloud Ops Lead at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Secure remote access has protected sensitive country data and supports strict compliance needs

I understand from the IT team managing Microsoft Remote Desktop Services that it is complex to set up the multiple roles, certificates, and networks required. Networking is quite complicated. Even though on the data center side it is quite simple, maintaining the farm of other connections that connect to that server is the complex piece. I understand there are more modern systems replicating what this solution does, which are easier to use, such as Azure Virtual Desktop within Microsoft Azure Cloud or Amazon WorkSpaces, which I have used before. Rather than having to manage all the complex networking, you could abstract it away a little further in the cloud for easier use. I also understand that this tool is in an end-of-life state now, with Microsoft actively pushing people towards Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365. I do not believe further features will be rolled out due to its end-of-life state, making it a legacy solution now.

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Bruce Lundberg

Linux HPC Systems Administrator at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Create custom virtual environments quickly with minor macOS integration issues

The primary advantage of VMware Fusion Pro is its simplicity in creating custom virtual machines. It allows quick construction and provides connectivity to full VMware server systems, enabling remote management. It facilitates downloading images from main VMware servers for local testing. The ability to construct a virtual environment on my laptop meets my needs, even ones I wasn't aware of.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"It's stable, fast, compatible, and quite reliable."

"The solution is easy to deploy and there are many features available that you can turn on or off depending on your budget."

"I would recommend Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, especially for general support."

"Since we have to be on a secure network, it gives me access into my system at work that is more secure than my system at home."

"It's simple to set up."

"The tool shares computer resources perfectly."

"I've had good experiences with Microsoft customer support."

"The solution is now stable."

More Microsoft Remote Desktop Services pros

"The whole point of it is to run Windows VMs on a Mac. This is the most valuable feature. There is snapshotting, but we don't really use that. The Pro version allows me to actually attach to the Windows ESXi infrastructure at the backend, and I'm able to create a session that I can attach to the VMware hooks at the backend, so one is running a VM, and the whole operating system is running on the actual Mac. The other one is literally a frontend to the VMs that are running in the infrastructure at the backend. These are the two main features I use."

"For me, VMware Fusion Pro has been invaluable, allowing me to meet all my needs with a single system."

"My advice right now would be to download it for free and use that instead of a VirtualBox or some of the other free stuff because it is more flexible than other solutions."

"It is a highly stable solution."

"The primary advantage of VMware Fusion Pro is its simplicity in creating custom virtual machines."

"VMware Fusion Pro offers simplicity of use and stability."

"The most value that it provides is that it is versatile."

"The product is easy to use and has a simple user interface."

More VMware Fusion Pro pros

Cons

"Microsoft Remote Desktop Services could improve by having a better application for managing multiple sessions. There used to be one but they stopped supporting it."

"Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is only available for the professional version of the Windows operating system. This restricts a lot of users. The feature should be available for all versions."

"If you are deploying it as a VDI solution, then it is very limited; the product is not very scalable."

"Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is a good tool that does what it is meant to do, and from a security perspective, it is brilliant. However, there is a lot of overhead with managing it, which modern tools do not have, especially tools that exist in the cloud."

"Scalability maybe should be improved. I know that there were better products in the market on the side of scalability."

"I would say it's expensive as there similar products available for free."

"The reliability of the solution could improve."

"Sometimes, the updates break the system."

More Microsoft Remote Desktop Services cons

"I would like to see newer and updated cloud functions."

"The only issue I've experienced with VMware Fusion Pro is that it doesn't register correctly with the main macOS system, causing repeated notifications about background installations."

"Fusion is not meant to be scalable. It runs on desktops and laptops, indicating limitations in scalability."

"Fusion is not meant to be scalable as it runs on desktops and laptops."

"VMware Fusion's licensing cost needs improvement."

"I would like to see newer and updated cloud functions."

"Its installation process could be simpler."

"The backups for the VMs themselves can also be improved. I pretty much have to rely on Windows backups and not something on VMware."

More VMware Fusion Pro cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I think that Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is expensive compared to Login solution."

"It will probably cost about $500 USD to get the resources set up in the cloud."

"The solution is overly expensive."

"Although not an expensive product, pricing is always something that can be improved."

"I am aware that for Azure we do have an extra license because we are leveraging on different tenants."

"The pricing is moderate."

"The cost is fair."

"There is a licensing cost."

More Microsoft Remote Desktop Services pricing and cost advice

"The cost varies depending on the season and whether it is scaled up or scaled down, but I would guess that it's approximately $1,000 per month."

"Starting with version 12, it is now free on a Mac for personal use. Fusion Pro has a cost."

"I rate the product's pricing a seven or eight. It is highly-priced."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

12%

Computer Software Company

Comms Service Provider

Government

Comms Service Provider

16%

University

12%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	43
Midsize Enterprise	16
Large Enterprise	35

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	2
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft Remote Desktop Services?

The tool shares computer resources perfectly.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Remote Desktop Services?

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Microsoft Remote Desktop Services has been easy. I don't think there was any cost, as this was built into our experience with Windows and A...

What needs improvement with Microsoft Remote Desktop Services?

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services could be improved by providing a way to make it configurable without using VPN from the actual service itself.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware Fusion?

The pricing of VMware Fusion Pro is reasonable. The licensing covers all minor version updates, while major updates require payment every three years. Buying it once can sustain you for years witho...

What needs improvement with VMware Fusion?

In future updates of VMware Fusion Pro, I think there should be another community to input features. It is an infrastructure tool that may need embedding some AI to help or catching up with the new...

What is your primary use case for VMware Fusion?

My specialty is about IBM AS/400 applications, so I got to be in contact with several packages, including LX, which is why I had this research on your website.I'm mostly interested in ERP packages;...

Horizon 8 vs Microsoft Remote Desktop Services

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Product Reports

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services

Download Microsoft Remote Desktop Services product report

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services report

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Download VMware Fusion Pro product report

Also Known As

Remote Desktop Services

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services provides secure, seamless access to remote applications with cross-platform compatibility and centralized management, enhancing productivity and resource sharing in Windows environments.

The robust security features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services enable efficient data handling and user support across devices. With a focus on remote application access, scalability, and ease of use, this solution integrates effortlessly with Windows environments. It offers centralized management, facilitating smooth IT operations. However, there is potential for improving interface intuitiveness and setup simplicity. Addressing keyboard compatibility with macOS, network connectivity challenges, and security vulnerabilities could enhance the user experience. Optimization for performance on slower networks and clearer license management would further benefit users.

What are the key features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services?

Robust Security: Ensures data remains secure on servers.
Seamless Remote Application Access: Provides smooth access to applications remotely.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports multiple devices and operating systems.
Centralized Management: Simplifies IT resource management.
Ease of Use: Facilitates setup and offers excellent accessibility.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Increased Productivity: Enables efficient resource sharing and task management.
Enhanced Flexibility: Improves performance through remote access.
Scalability: Allows for easy management of growing resources.
Secure Access: Protects sensitive data and client applications.

In numerous industries, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services supports remote server management, virtual desktops, and application virtualization. Organizations use it for collaboration, secure data handling, and accessing critical resources across different locations. It aids in troubleshooting, ensuring secure connections to client applications and facilitating testing and support for multiple users in diverse environments.

Microsoft

VMware Fusion Pro allows Mac users to run Windows virtual machines, leveraging its interface with Windows ESXi infrastructure. The platform is user-friendly, enabling efficient OS launches and providing snapshot and cloning capabilities for a stable experience.

VMware Fusion Pro empowers Mac users with robust virtualization capabilities, including the ability to run Windows VMs and interface seamlessly with Windows ESXi infrastructure. The platform is noted for its rapid custom VM construction and remote management through full VMware server systems. Despite its advantages, users indicate areas for improvement, particularly in snapshotting, backup processes, and resource demands. Compatibility with operating systems and integration with macOS are additional concerns, with enhancements in security, cloud functionality, and API interface desired. Installation complexity and command-line interface improvements are also highlighted by users.

What are the key features of VMware Fusion Pro?

Windows VM Support: Runs Windows virtual machines on Mac efficiently.
ESXi Infrastructure: Interfaces with Windows ESXi for seamless operations.
Snapshot & Cloning: Allows creating backups and clones of virtual machines easily.
Custom VM Construction: Enables rapid development of custom VMs tailored to needs.
Network Simulations: Supports network setup simulations for testing and development.
Remote Management: Connects to full VMware server systems for comprehensive management.

What benefits or ROI can users expect from VMware Fusion Pro?

Cost-Efficiency: Reduces infrastructure costs through effective virtualization.
Stability: Offers a stable platform for running various operating systems.
Versatility: Accommodates different networking and testing configurations.
Resource Efficiency: Optimizes existing computing resources for performance improvements.
User Experience: Provides a user-friendly interface for easy navigation and management.

VMware Fusion Pro is widely implemented for running Windows on Mac, managing networking servers, and testing on Apple laptops. It is used by developers and system administrators for creating virtual environments, while users in industries such as networking and software development utilize it for building test machines, evaluating software, and managing ERP packages on IBM AS/400 systems. The solution is preferred for virtualization tasks in sectors requiring robust, reliable tools that support both Mac and Windows environments seamlessly, supporting script writing and general virtual machine management.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

Bank Alfalah Ltd.

NetApp

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs. VMware Fusion Pro