RDS Alternatives for ERP Applications in 2026

Many ERP ISVs adopted Remote Desktop Services (RDS) as the easiest way to deliver Windows applications remotely. But in 2026, the drawbacks are hard to ignore: complex infrastructure, rising licensing costs, difficult scaling, and poor user experience.

As ERP vendors modernize delivery, these are the top alternatives to RDS.

1. GO-Global

Core Differentiator: Purpose-built application publishing designed specifically for Windows applications and ISVs.

GO-Global delivers only the ERP application, not a full desktop. This dramatically reduces infrastructure complexity and resource usage while providing a seamless browser-based experience.

Pros

• Lower infrastructure and licensing costs
• Simplified deployment compared to RDS
• Efficient concurrent-user scaling
• Supports SSO and MFA
• No need to rewrite the ERP application

Cons

• Focused on Windows application delivery rather than full desktop virtualization

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2. Citrix Virtual Apps

Core Differentiator: Enterprise-grade virtualization with extensive management and policy controls.

Citrix is widely used in large enterprises that require advanced administration capabilities and broad virtualization support.

Pros

• Mature enterprise platform
• Advanced security and policy management
• Strong ecosystem and integrations

Cons

• Expensive licensing
• Complex deployment and administration
• Significant infrastructure overhead

3. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Core Differentiator: Native integration with Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure.

AVD provides desktop and application virtualization tightly integrated with Azure services.

Pros

• Strong Microsoft ecosystem integration
• Flexible cloud deployment options
• Scalable infrastructure

Cons

• Requires significant Azure expertise
• Complex cost management
• Full desktop delivery often increases resource usage

4. Parallels RAS

Core Differentiator: Simplified remote application and desktop delivery with easier administration.

Parallels RAS targets organizations seeking a lighter alternative to Citrix.

Pros

• Easier setup than Citrix
• Lower licensing costs
• Supports application publishing

Cons

• Less optimized for ISV multi-tenant environments
• Smaller ecosystem and feature set

5. VMware Horizon

Core Differentiator: Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) focused on centralized desktop management.

VMware Horizon is often used in enterprise environments already standardized on VMware infrastructure.

Pros

• Strong VDI capabilities
• Centralized management
• Enterprise scalability

Cons

• Infrastructure-heavy
• Expensive to deploy and maintain
• Overkill for many ERP ISVs

The Bottom Line

ERP ISVs need more than remote access. They need efficient, scalable application delivery that minimizes operational overhead and preserves existing Windows applications.

While Citrix, AVD, Parallels, and VMware all serve specific use cases, GO-Global stands out as the best fit for ERP ISVs because it focuses on simplicity, lower cost, and optimized Windows application delivery without the complexity of traditional RDS environments.

Are you an ERP application vendor or an ISV exploring cloud-based application delivery? Contact us to learn how GO-Global can help you streamline software access for your end users. Or download a free trial to test it yourself.