Understanding the DaaS options for Macs

Organizations that offer Apple endpoints as work devices must address the specific requirements of macOS in any technology implementation. Desktop virtualization is no exception.

Many organizations have adopted Windows-based VDI and desktop as a service (DaaS) to deploy virtual desktops to end users. The Windows virtual desktop can be based on a 1-to-many ratio with a server OS, 1-to-1 with a workstation OS, or 1-to-many with Windows 10 or 11 multi-user workstation OS. Regardless of the VM's OS, the user experiences a familiar Windows desktop after successful authentication.

Through DaaS providers, such as Citrix, Microsoft Azure and VMware, users can access Windows-based virtual desktops from any type of Apple device, including an iOS-based iPhone or a macOS-based device such as a MacBook. This type of access is common and has been available for many years. Every end-user device type -- including Google Chromebooks and other Linux-based devices -- can be used, whether in conjunction with a native client or web-based access.

macOS maintains a significant presence in enterprise desktop environments, especially in organizations that permit employee device choice. As an extension of this system's familiarity and functionality, some organizations are interested in subscribing to macOS virtual desktops from a DaaS provider. However, Apple's licensing requirements pose a challenge to this possibility.

Hosted macOS

In practice, hosted macOS environments are used primarily for development and testing rather than as general-purpose desktops for end users. The concept of hosting macOS works for two distinct cases: macOS development and macOS DaaS for user access. These two functionalities are not interchangeable.

Developers creating Apple-focused software can use a virtualized macOS desktop to develop and test the software. For example, an enterprise that provides an editing application may wish to have the application run on both Windows and Mac devices. Within the development environment, this could imply physical devices or VMs. Additionally, a virtual macOS desktop frees developers to work from a Windows device, if necessary.

It's easy to create a cloud-based development environment for Windows. Using the cloud minimizes costs and setup work, enhances flexibility and gives developers easy access to the environment. For example, if an error occurs during testing wherein an action programmatically generates an infinite loop, developers can gather forensics to fix the problem and then quickly and easily delete the virtual desktop. They can subsequently correct the issue and test again on a newly deployed Windows-based VM within minutes.

That type of setup was not available for Mac development until recently. While Mac developers can get mini devices for the lab, cloud-based application development and testing is a better option. However, Apple licensing controls what users can and cannot legally do with macOS software.

Licensing for macOS

Apple has stringent licensing requirements for macOS regarding hardware and shared services. First, macOS must run on designated Apple hardware, as per the licensing agreement. In addition, service providers or other shared services cannot use macOS because Apple doesn't allow virtualized copies or instances of its software in connection with services such as service bureaus, time-sharing or terminal sharing.

Apple allows remote desktop connections, though with some limitations. Although users can make multiple connections to a single Mac, only one remote session can control the Apple software; the other connections can only observe the connection. This limited connectivity stipulation severely curbs remote access functionality from both a business and technical perspective.

In late 2020, Apple introduced an aspect of licensing wherein service providers could offer hosting services specifically for developers to use. This section of the licensing agreement, called Leasing for Permitted Developer Services, likewise has strict requirements. However, it does legally allow providers such as AWS to offer macOS instances for development purposes. In addition, several smaller providers, such as MacStadium and MacinCloud, also provide cloud-based macOS instances for developers. Conditions for developer usage include lessee agreement, a minimum lease period of 24 hours and "sole and exclusive use and control." Activities covered include building software from source, automated testing and running the tools to carry out these activities.

A key benefit of Windows-based DaaS is centralization and resource sharing, with an end result of lower costs.

The stipulations for Apple use have some ramifications for macOS-based DaaS. Key benefits of DaaS for Windows include centralization and resource sharing, ultimately resulting in lower costs. As macOS licensing requires Apple hardware, disallows service bureau and sharing, and limits connectivity to one controlling session per device, service providers cannot offer macOS DaaS. On-premises deployments of macOS-based virtual desktops are technically possible, but this falls into a gray area of licensing and is costly.

Thus, Apple licensing now permits developers to lease macOS from service providers but prohibits access to DaaS for end users. For IT teams, this makes macOS DaaS a licensing constraint rather than a technology gap.

DaaS operating system options

Interest in desktop as a service based on macOS certainly exists, but it is not possible from a legal standpoint. Even if it were, the financial investment and costs would likely raise feasibility questions. There is little indication that Apple plans to change its licensing requirements. Apple derives significant profit from hardware -- closely coupling its hardware and software is its long-standing business model and key to its success. Apple continues to focus on tying OS functionality to its physical devices. Physical devices running iOS and macOS operating systems continue to proliferate. Supporting these Apple devices for remote access to Windows-based virtual desktops, therefore, shows no signs of slowing down.

An alternative to Windows-based DaaS is Linux VMs. If an organization seeks an OS other than Windows due to Microsoft's licensing costs or other requirements, Linux is an option worth considering. However, end users are far less familiar with Linux, so involving it in a user-facing technology could cause confusion. Further, some traditional software packages, such as Office 365 and Microsoft 365, aren't available for direct download onto a Linux machine. While there might be some use cases for Linux VMs, they face challenges from an integration and familiarity perspective for most enterprise users.

Because multi-user Windows 10 and 11 is available only on Microsoft Azure, this functionality is a key feature of Azure Virtual Desktops. Other cloud providers -- including AWS and Google Cloud -- cannot offer multi-user Windows 10 or 11. However, 1-to-1 virtualized Windows 10 and 11 workstations are available. Because Windows OSes are not dependent on native Microsoft hardware, organizations have flexibility and can find ways to cut costs.

For most organizations, supporting Macs through Windows-based DaaS remains the most practical option, while true macOS DaaS remains limited by licensing rather than technology.

Editor's note: This article was updated in January 2026 to improve clarity, flow and the overall reader experience.