Microsoft Azure virtual Desktop Billing

Question

Hi All,

I tried implementing AVD Host pool with 3 users and 1 Host with Multi session windows10 20H Gen2, with standard D2s VM hardware in UK South zone of the Azure cloud. However, I was shocked to see the accumulated cost for 2days even though technically i only used like 3hrs total, the cost went up to 25£. while I'm not using I shut down the VM. though the cost was shown while selecting the hardware resources is around 8£ per month, but in my reality its went up way high for the use of 3hrs. I made sure that i stopped the VM from running while I'm away and not using the Azure.

I am only using this to practice on AVD to implement.

Is this cost structure is normal?

Also, I am on pay as you go subscription. though I signed for free account in 2020, I didn't used that later it automatically converted to pay as you go subscription. AVD is signed up as Per-user access pricing.

Are there any subscriptions available for testing and learning Azure services?

Answer 1

Hi,

The charge in your screenshot is for AVD Per User access pricing, which is for external users only. Under per user access pricing, you are billed (£8.124 for Desktop and Apps, or £4.468 for Apps only) for each unique user that connects during the month, regardless of how many hours. Based on what you have written in your description you had 3 users connect, which would amount to £24.37 fee under per user access pricing.

The above charge only covers licensing for external users. Cost of compute, storage, bandwidth, and other Azure resources you may be using are additional.

For testing (just yourself is what I'm assuming) I would recommend you get Microsoft 365 Business Premium and use that to cover your licensing instead of using per user access licensing. Again, per user access licensing is for external users, which likely means it isn't correct for your use case. You will need to opt-out of per user access licensing.

Article below explains some of AVD licensing:

Per-user access pricing for Azure Virtual Desktop

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/remote-app-streaming/licensing#per-user-access-pricing-for-azure-virtual-desktop

Below is the Azure Virtual Desktop pricing page. Please scroll down to the Virtual Desktops section and look on the right hand column for the list of licenses that give you eligibility to use Windows 10/11 with AVD. If you create a Windows Server host pool you would need to have RDS CAL or equivalent (also on the licensing page).

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/virtual-desktop/

If the above was useful please click Accept Answer.

Thanks.

-TP

Answer 2

There are benefit subscriptions that can be used to test out. One that suits your scenario is visual studio credit subscription. Doc link: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/pricing/member-offers/credit-for-visual-studio-subscribers/ Regards, Divya