What Is Desktop Hosting? A 2025 Guide for ISVs

As software delivery shifts further into the cloud, desktop hosting has become a popular way to provide remote access to Windows environments. For Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), it can seem like an appealing way to modernize legacy applications and support remote users—without rewriting code.

But is desktop hosting always the right approach for ISVs? In this guide, we’ll break down what desktop hosting really means in 2025, how it compares to other delivery models, and when it might be smarter to skip desktops altogether in favor of something lighter.

What Is Desktop Hosting?

Desktop hosting refers to running a full Windows desktop environment in the cloud or on a remote server, which end users can access through a remote connection. Instead of sitting in front of a local machine, users connect to a virtual desktop hosted elsewhere—often via a web browser or thin client.

There are multiple types of desktop hosting available today:

• VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure): Where virtual machines are provisioned per user or group
  
  
• DaaS (Desktop as a Service): Where a provider handles the infrastructure and delivery for you
  
  
• Cloud-hosted desktops: Persistent or session-based desktops run through platforms like Azure or AWS
  
  

All of these approaches are built on a shared principle: delivering a full desktop environment to the user, remotely.

Why Do Organizations Use Desktop Hosting?

Desktop hosting can make sense when:

• Users need access to a familiar Windows interface
  
  
• Full desktop environments are required for compliance or legacy software
  
  
• Centralized control and security are critical
  
  
• IT teams want to offload hardware management to the cloud
  
  

In enterprise IT or hybrid work settings, hosting desktops can reduce endpoint costs, simplify updates, and standardize the user experience across devices.

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But for ISVs, Desktops Might Not Be Necessary

While desktop hosting has benefits, it’s not always the best fit for Independent Software Vendors—especially those focused on delivering a single Windows application.

Here’s why:

• Most users don’t need a desktop—they need the app
  
  
• Desktops introduce unnecessary complexity and cost
  
  
• Infrastructure management can get in the way of product focus
  
  
• Licensing requirements can be a burden
  
  
• End users may not be tech-savvy enough for a full desktop interface
  
  

If your software is the only reason your users need a remote desktop, it’s worth asking: Why deliver the whole desktop when you can just deliver the app?

A Better Approach: Application Publishing with ISVHost and GO-Global

For ISVs, application-first delivery can offer all the benefits of remote access—without the overhead of desktop hosting.

ISVHost, powered by GO-Global, is a fully managed platform that allows software vendors to publish their Windows-based applications directly to any browser. No desktop, no virtual machines, no RDS. Just fast, secure access to the software users actually need.

Benefits include:

• No full desktop required
  
  
• No extra licensing
  
  
• Fully managed infrastructure
  
  
• Cross-platform browser access
  
  
• Faster time to market and lower support burden
  
  

It’s the ideal path for ISVs transitioning legacy software to the cloud—especially when rewriting the application isn’t realistic.

Final Thoughts

Desktop hosting has its place in modern IT—but for ISVs, it can be more than what’s needed. If your users don’t need a Windows desktop, don’t deliver one. Focus on your application instead.

By choosing an app-first platform like ISVHost with GO-Global, ISVs can reduce cost, simplify delivery, and offer a better experience—without the maintenance and overhead of traditional hosted desktops.

Are you 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.