Windows App review (2026): is it any good?
Microsoft's free client for remote Windows PCs and cloud desktops
Windows App report card
Fair · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for reaching Windows PCs and Microsoft cloud desktops
Windows App is Microsoft's free client for Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Dev Box and remote PCs, on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and the web. The app costs nothing, but the cloud desktops it opens are separate paid Microsoft services, and signing in takes a work or school account from an administrator.
Who Windows App is for
- Fits if your employer gives you an Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 machine
- Works for people who reach their own Windows PC from a Mac or a phone
Who Windows App is not for
- Skip it if you want to reach a Mac or Linux computer, as it connects to Windows only
- Not for you if you only have a personal Microsoft account, because cloud connections need a work or school one
- Too light for Remote Desktop Services on Windows, where Microsoft says to keep using the Remote Desktop app
- Watch out: the web client does not do remote PC connections
- Watch out: the cloud desktops are billed separately by Microsoft
Why Windows App gets a 2.4
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- CValue for moneyThe app is free, but the desktops it is built for are billed by Microsoft as Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 and Dev Box. Against a category that charges $4.17 to $28 a month, that leaves it at the middle.
- CFree plan and trialThe download is free and a remote PC can be added without signing in. For Microsoft's cloud connections you need a work or school account from an administrator, and a personal Microsoft account does not work.
- CFeaturesIt opens Windows desktops and apps, with display options, device redirection and Teams optimizations. Remote Desktop Services is not supported from Windows App on Windows or from the web client, and the pages describe no way to reach a Mac or Linux computer.
- CEase of useNo store rating on record. Getting connected means accounts, an administrator and a connection to set up.
- APlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac, iPhone, Android and a web client, plus Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Dev Box and Teams. Meta Quest support is a preview.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Windows App's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/windows-app#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/windows-app.svg" alt="Windows App: 2.4 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Windows App stands among remote desktop apps
Windows App's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 11 of the 35 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 8.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (A, above 31 of 35) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Windows App has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 36 remote desktop apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Windows App’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 4 of 35, level with 19
- CFree plan and trialAbove 2 of 35, level with 16
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 35, level with 24
- CEase of useAbove 2 of 35, level with 19
- APlatforms and integrationsAbove 31 of 35, level with 4
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 29 remote desktop apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Windows App, or make your own?
Keep it
Windows App is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 16 of the 35 other remote desktop apps grade higher.
What you could not
- A fast, secure link to another computer through any network.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Windows App’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Windows App?
Windows App is Microsoft's client for connecting to Windows devices and apps remotely: Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 Cloud PCs, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services and individual PCs. It runs on Windows, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, Android and ChromeOS, in a web browser and on Meta Quest. The app itself is free; the cloud desktops it connects to are billed separately.
Worth knowing
- Signing in takes a Microsoft work or school account from an administrator; a personal Microsoft account does not work.
- Remote Desktop Services connections are not supported from Windows App on Windows, where Microsoft says to keep using the Remote Desktop app, or from the web browser client.
- Remote PC connections are not available from the web browser client, and the Meta Quest support is listed as a preview.
- It connects to Windows devices and apps; the pages describe no way to reach a Mac or Linux computer with it.
Key features
- One app for several Microsoft services
- Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services and remote PCs from a single customizable home screen.
- Connect to a remote PC without signing in
- On the platforms that support remote PC connections, the app can be used without signing in to a Microsoft account.
- Display options
- Multiple monitor support, custom display resolutions, and dynamic resolution and scaling.
- Device redirection
- Webcams, audio, storage devices and printers can be redirected between the local device and the remote session.
- Teams optimizations
- Microsoft says the app includes optimizations for Microsoft Teams inside remote sessions.
- Multiple accounts
- Sign in with several accounts and switch between them.
Windows App pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, Windows App is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The app is a free download from the Microsoft Store. Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 and Dev Box are separate Microsoft services with their own pricing.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Windows App | $0 | Free client app. Sign-in with a work or school account is needed only for Microsoft's cloud and Remote Desktop Services connections. |
Read from apps.microsoft.com on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Windows App before you buy.
Works with
- Azure Virtual Desktop
- Windows 365
- Microsoft Dev Box
- Microsoft Teams
Windows App alternatives
- Windows App vs Jump Desktop
Free plan · from $14.99 one-time
- Windows App vs Royal TS
Free plan · from €49 one-time
Common questions
Does Windows App have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Windows App is listed for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Web.
Is Windows App open source?
Windows App is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.