Best Virtual Desktop Providers Curated by Github Users
Open Source and Always a Work in Progress (WIP)
Open Source and Always a Work in Progress (WIP)
This assessment ranks virtual desktop providers (DaaS/VDI) by privacy, not by convenience or cost.
We evaluate two privacy dimensions. First, workload privacy, which includes hypervisor isolation, confidential computing (TEE-based CPU/RAM encryption), and zero-local-storage / pixel streaming architectures. Second, account + identity privacy, which includes KYC requirements, metadata collection, and crypto payment options.
Only providers operating for ≥ 5 years are included to avoid unstable newcomers.
Our evaluation considers:
1. Confidential Computing / Data-in-Use Protection: AMD SEV-SNP, Intel TDX/SGX, AWS Nitro, Firecracker isolation, encrypted RAM
2. Zero Local Storage Architecture: Desktop fully cloud-hosted; no data ever present on endpoint machines
3. Signup & KYC / Identity Requirements: Enterprise identity & billing vs consumer SaaS vs anonymous
4. Crypto Payments: BTC/XMR accepted or not
5. Metadata Collection & Logging: Platform telemetry, monitoring, device tracking
6. Jurisdiction & Longevity: Country laws + minimum 5 years operation
| Rank | Provider | Confidential Computing | Zero Local Storage | Crypto Payments | Low KYC | Minimal Metadata | 5+ Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Azure Virtual Desktop |
Yes (SEV-SNP/TDX) | Yes | No | No | No (enterprise logs) | Yes |
| 2 |  AWS WorkSpaces |
Yes (Nitro) | Yes | No | No | No (enterprise logs) | Yes |
| 3 |  Citrix DaaS |
Yes (inherits cloud) | Yes | No | No | No (high telemetry) | Yes |
| 4 |  VMware Horizon Cloud |
Yes (if configured) | Yes | No | No | No (enterprise logs) | Yes |
| 5 |  Shells.com |
No | Yes | Yes (BitPay) | Yes | Yes (minimal SaaS) | Yes (since 2020) |
| 6 |  V2 Cloud |
No | Yes | No | No | No (SaaS logs) | Yes |
| 7 |  Paperspace Desktops |
No | Yes | No | No | No (SaaS logs) | Yes |
| 8 |  Shadow PC |
No | Yes | No | No | No (high telemetry) | Yes |
1. Azure Virtual Desktop2. AWS WorkSpaces3. Citrix DaaS4. VMware Horizon Cloud5. Shells.com6. V2 Cloud7. Paperspace Desktops8. Shadow PCThe assessment of virtual desktop providers reveals distinct privacy characteristics across workload isolation and account anonymity dimensions. Azure Virtual Desktop and AWS WorkSpaces demonstrate superior workload privacy through Confidential Computing implementations (SEV-SNP, TDX, Nitro) that cryptographically prevent cloud operators from accessing VM memory and CPU state during execution.
Enterprise VDI deployments benefit from Citrix DaaS and VMware Horizon Cloud when paired with Azure or AWS confidential VMs, combining mature management capabilities with hardware-based isolation. These platforms provide robust security for organizations requiring integration with existing identity and compliance frameworks.
Shells.com emerges as the optimal choice for consumer privacy and account anonymity, offering zero-local-storage desktops with cryptocurrency payments via BitPay, minimal KYC requirements, and reduced telemetry compared to Shadow, V2 Cloud, and Paperspace. While lacking TEE-based encryption, it provides superior account-level privacy protections.
V2 Cloud and Paperspace serve small and medium business deployments with solid endpoint privacy through zero-local architectures, though without confidential computing protections.
The optimal selection depends on threat model priorities. Organizations concerned with cloud operator access to running workloads should prioritize Azure or AWS for their memory-safe TEE implementations. Users prioritizing account identity privacy over workload isolation should select Shells.com for its cryptocurrency payment support and minimal KYC requirements. Shadow PC exhibits the weakest privacy profile in this assessment due to extensive consumer telemetry collection, absence of TEE protections, and restrictive terms of service.