Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is marketed as Microsoft’s next-generation VDI solution, offering cloud-based desktops with built-in Azure integration. For many IT leaders, AVD seems like the logical choice for enabling remote work. 

However, implementing and managing AVD often presents unexpected challenges—from hidden costs to operational complexity, security gaps, and performance issues. Many organizations underestimate the burden of managing AVD at scale, leading to frustration, budget overruns, and increased IT workload.

Before you commit to AVD, here’s what you need to know about its challenges—and why a modern alternative like Sonet.io could be the smarter choice.

AVD Deployment is More Complex Than Expected

Many IT teams assume AVD will be easier to manage than Citrix. However, the reality is that AVD requires significant setup and customization.

• Manual Configuration: IT must configure networking, security policies, session hosts, scaling, and user profiles manually.
• Limited Built-in Automation: Unlike managed DaaS solutions, AVD lacks native tools for automated scaling and provisioning.
• Additional Third-Party Tools Needed: Many organizations use Nerdio or custom PowerShell scripts to automate routine tasks.

Best Practice: IT teams should assess automation needs early and consider third-party tools to reduce manual workload when deploying AVD.

‍Costs Are Unpredictable and Difficult to Control

‍AVD operates on a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which can lead to unexpected costs.

• Compute Costs Add Up Quickly: Organizations pay for CPU, memory, storage, and session host usage—even when systems are idle.
• Licensing is an Extra Cost: Unlike traditional VDI, AVD requires Windows licenses, RDS CALs, and security add-ons.
• Budgeting is Complex: IT teams must continuously monitor usage and optimize scaling policies to control costs.

Best Practice: Organizations should implement cost-monitoring tools and consider fixed-cost alternatives if cost predictability is a priority.

‍Performance Can Be Inconsistent

‍While AVD benefits from Azure’s global infrastructure, performance issues are common, particularly for remote users.

• Latency in Certain Regions: AVD performance depends on proximity to Azure data centers, causing lag for globally distributed teams.
• Session Reliability Problems: IT teams report black screens, slow logins, and frequent session disconnects in multi-user environments.

"AVD is kinda clunky. The last complaints we heard were about slow performance, so the engineering team increased RAM and speeds, but people still don’t like it."
— Cyber Operations Analyst, Manufacturing

Best Practice: IT teams should test AVD performance across multiple user locations and consider hybrid solutions that improve performance.

‍Security & Compliance Require Extra Tools

‍AVD provides basic security, but most organizations must add external tools to meet enterprise security requirements.

• No Built-in Zero Trust: AVD lacks native device posture checks and requires additional Microsoft tools like Defender or Sentinel.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is Not Included: Organizations must configure third-party DLP solutions to prevent data leaks.
• Session Recording is Not Native: Unlike Citrix, AVD does not offer session monitoring out of the box.

Best Practice: IT teams should plan security needs in advance and evaluate alternative solutions with built-in zero-trust security.

‍AVD Locks You Into Azure—No Multi-Cloud Flexibility

‍Unlike Citrix, which supports on-prem, private cloud, and multi-cloud, AVD is strictly tied to Microsoft Azure.

• Only Runs in Azure: Organizations must host all workloads in Azure, with no support for AWS, GCP, or private clouds.
• Limited Workload Flexibility: IT teams cannot offload workloads to lower-cost environments when needed.
• Hybrid Strategies Require Workarounds: Many organizations use third-party brokers to connect AVD to other cloud environments.

Best Practice: Organizations should evaluate whether vendor lock-in aligns with their long-term IT strategy before committing to AVD.

‍Is AVD the Right Choice for Your Organization?

‍Azure Virtual Desktop can be a strong option for Microsoft-centric enterprises, but it comes with hidden costs, operational complexity, security gaps, and performance issues that IT teams should evaluate before migrating.

• If cost predictability is a priority, consider fixed-cost alternatives that eliminate metered billing.
• If performance is a concern, test AVD latency in global regions before committing.
• If security is a focus, evaluate alternative solutions that offer built-in Zero Trust, DLP, and session recording.
• If multi-cloud flexibility matters, be aware that AVD is limited to Azure-only environments.

The Sonet.io Advantage

‍If your organization is struggling with the challenges of AVD, there is a smarter way. Sonet.io offers a modern, hassle-free alternative designed for IT teams that need fast, secure, and cost-effective remote access.With Sonet.io, you get: 

• Instant Access - No VDI setup, no device deployments, no infrastructure costs. 
• Lower Costs - Simple, per-user pricing without hidden fees. 
• Stronger Security - Built-in Zero Trust, session monitoring, and DLP. 
• Superior Performance - Low-latency, browser-based access from anywhere. 
• Multi-Cloud Flexibility - No vendor lock-in; run workloads anywhere.

Unlike AVD, which requires extensive configuration, Sonet.io provides secure access to web apps, desktop apps, and virtual desktops instantly from any browser. IT teams no longer need to worry about VDI infrastructure, unpredictable billing, or performance bottlenecks.

‍Next Steps:

Considering AVD or looking for a simpler alternative? See how Sonet.io compares to AVD in our comparison guide.

‍Further Reading:

• For a detailed comparison and reasons to consider alternatives, check out our post 5 Reasons to Replace Citrix with Sonet.io in 2025.
• To explore cost-effective alternatives to traditional VDI solutions, read our article VDI Done Right: Why Turnkey Cloud-Native Solutions Beat Do-It-Yourself (DIY).
• For insights into implementing robust security measures, consider reading Solving the Single Sign-On and Single Logout Conundrum: A Breakthrough with Sonet.io.
• Nerdio’s resource on Easily Solve 5 Common AVD Pain Points.
• Nerdio’s resource on Tips to Improve Your Azure Virtual Desktop Environment.