Compare / Reviewed October 2026
FarDesktop vs Windows 365 Cloud PC.
Windows 365 gives each person their own Windows computer in the cloud, reached from any device. FarDesktop gives you a program, not a whole computer. They overlap on the idea and differ in how much computer you end up with.
| Windows 365 Cloud PC | FarDesktop | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A whole Windows computer in the cloud | One Windows program in a browser (a full desktop where a plan includes it) |
| Persistence | A persistent machine dedicated to you, per Microsoft | Your program and its files on a far machine |
| Pricing model | Per person per month, by machine size, per Microsoft | A service plan. Check the current plans |
| What you manage | A Windows desktop, though Microsoft hosts it | Just the program |
| Best for | People who want Windows broadly, with a full desktop | People who need one or two Windows programs |
| Setup | Assign a licence, then connect | Open a link and sign in |
Choose the other if
- You want a complete Windows desktop for a lot of work.
- Your organization already uses Microsoft 365 licensing and Microsoft's management tools.
- You prefer a familiar Windows desktop on every device.
Choose FarDesktop if
- You only need a program, not a whole computer.
- You want the lightest possible setup with nothing to manage.
- You are an individual or a small team without Microsoft's admin tools.
How Microsoft describes it
Microsoft sells Windows 365 as a Cloud PC: a persistent virtual machine dedicated to a specific user, billed per user per month. It comes in plans for businesses and for larger organizations, and there are variations for shift work. Check Microsoft's current plans and prices, which vary by machine size and region.
A fair way to compare
Ask how many programs you need and how much of Windows you will touch. A Cloud PC makes sense if the answer is a lot. If the answer is one or two programs, a whole computer is more than you need, and paying for and looking after it can be more than the job deserves.
Sources, reviewed October 2026
We make FarDesktop. Products change, so check the vendor's own pages before you decide.
Questions people ask.
Is a Cloud PC the same as streaming?
They are related. A Cloud PC is a whole computer. Streaming a program shows you one program running on a far machine.
Which is cheaper?
It depends on the plan and how much you use. Put your own costs into the Ledger to compare.
Can I use both?
Yes. They solve different sizes of problem.
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