The Fundamental Split
Think about what a remote worker actually needs. Sometimes they need a full computer — a place to install software, save files, and work across multiple applications all day. Other times, they just need to run one specific program, like a design tool or a data entry application. AWS End User Computing (EUC) addresses both needs with two distinct services, and choosing the wrong one is a common and expensive mistake.
When moving End User Computing to the cloud, you must ask one question first: "Do they need a Computer, or do they need an App?"
- Amazon WorkSpaces (DaaS — Desktop as a Service): Replaces the physical laptop. You get a full, persistent Windows or Linux desktop. You install your own apps, save files to the Desktop, and personalize the environment. It is a Personal Computer in the cloud — stateful, dedicated, and always yours.
- Amazon AppStream 2.0: Replaces the installation wizard. You stream specific applications (e.g., SAP GUI, Blender, Visual Studio) to a web browser. The user doesn't interact with an OS; they just use the tool. It is non-persistent (ephemeral) — the underlying instance is destroyed when the session ends.
The distinction matters architecturally because it drives cost model, storage strategy, directory requirements, and fleet management. Getting this wrong means either overpaying for persistent desktops that sit idle, or frustrating power users with stateless sessions that lose their work.