Choosing the right Windows 365 edition for your business can be overwhelming. With three main options—Business, Enterprise, and Frontline—it's essential to understand the key differences to make the best decision. In this article, I'll guide you through each edition, highlighting their features, benefits, and ideal use cases.
Table of Contents
Windows 365 Business
Windows 365 Business is the most affordable option, designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers essential features like:
- Cloud-based desktop: Access a fully managed Windows 11 desktop from any device with an internet connection.
- Scalability: Easily scale your Cloud PCs up or down based on your business needs.
- Centralized management: Manage your Cloud PCs from a single console.
Ideal for: Small businesses, startups, and remote teams.
Windows 365 Enterprise
Windows 365 Enterprise is a comprehensive solution for larger organizations with advanced requirements. It includes all the features of Business, plus:
- Advanced security: Enhanced security features like conditional access and Azure AD integration.
- Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 services.
- Customizable policies: Create custom policies to control user access and device settings.
Ideal for: Large enterprises, organizations with strict security requirements, and those seeking deep Microsoft 365 integration.
Windows 365 Frontline
Windows 365 Frontline is a cost-effective option for organizations with frontline workers who don't require 24/7 access to their Cloud PCs. It offers:
- Flexible scheduling: Schedule Cloud PC access based on employee shifts or tasks.
- Reduced costs: Lower pricing compared to Business and Enterprise. (1 licence can be used for 3 Users)
- Essential features: Provides the core features needed for frontline workers.
Ideal for: Organizations with frontline workers, such as retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. Or for users which only need access for special task and not in parallel.
Choosing the Right Edition
To choose the best Windows 365 edition for your business, consider the following factors:
- Number of employees: How many employees need access to Cloud PCs?
- Security requirements: What level of security is necessary for your organization?
- Budget: What is your budget for Cloud PC services?
- Workload: What type of workloads will your employees be running on their Cloud PCs?
Here is a chart to compare the features of those 3 version where possible:
| Feature | Windows 365 Business | Windows 365 Enterprise | Windows 365 Frontline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing requirements | None | - Windows 11 Enterprise or Windows 10 Enterprise - Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Entra ID P1 | - Windows 11 Enterprise or Windows 10 Enterprise - Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Entra ID P1 |
| Seat limits | 300 | none | none |
| Licence assigment | 1:1 | 1:1 | none, 1 licence can be used for 3 users |
| Provisioning | Cloud PCs are automatically provisioned with a standard image after a Cloud PC license is assigned. | Intune cabablilities | Intune cabablilities |
| Policy management | Not supported | Intune and GPO's | Intune and GPO's |
| Application deployment | With additional Intune licence | Yes | Yes |
| Windows updates | Default by Micosoft or with additional Intune licence | Intune / Windows Update for Business | Intune / Windows Update for Business |
| Device management | Only Cloud PC Assigment | Intune cabablilities | Full Intune cabablilities |
| Monitoring | Not supported | Intune cabablilities | Intune cabablilities |
| Troubleshooting | Not supported | Intune cabablilities | Intune cabablilities |
| Universal Print | Not supported | Supported | Supported |
| Security baselines | Not supported | Dedicated Security Baselines | Dedicated Security Baselines |
| Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | requires E5 license | requires E5 license | requires E5 license |
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