Azure Virtual Desktop vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) comparison

Microsoft and Parallels are both solutions in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category. Microsoft is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.3, while Parallels is ranked #11 with an average rating of 7.5. Microsoft holds a 7.8% mindshare in VD, compared to Parallels’s 2.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Parallels users who would recommend it.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Read 10 Azure Virtual Desktop reviews

1,869 Views
1,869 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

Read 25 Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) reviews

1,577 Views
1,498 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Azure Virtual Desktop

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Azure Virtual Desktop and Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

July 2025

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Helped 865,295 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Azure Virtual Desktop

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

5.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

11th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Virtualization (4th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category, the mindshare of Azure Virtual Desktop is 7.8%. The mindshare of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is 2.6%, up from 2.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Featured Reviews

Makarand-Shrikhande

Sr. Architect at LTI - Larsen & Toubro Infotech

Enables flexible remote application access with auto-scaling and hybrid work support

The use cases include providing application access to users through Azure Virtual Desktop using MSIX App Attach or remote app, enabling remote users like BPO or contact center resources to connect and work on applications, and allowing vendors to access specific applications securely without a…

Read full review

JohanSkibdahl

CEO at Etcetera Networks

Secure access across devices with cost-effective seamless integration

One valuable feature is the ability to securely use a wide range of devices to access the company's infrastructure. The inclusion of all necessary components, such as load balancer and gateways, in a monthly fee is also beneficial. In terms of Parallels Desktop, the coherence mode that allows Mac and Windows applications to run seamlessly side by side is highly regarded.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Azure Virtual Desktop enables anyone connecting to Microsoft to use MFA (multi-factor authentication), totally secured to connect and has end-to-end encryption through tunnel encryption."

"The ability to spin up virtual machines quickly and speedily in Azure has been really valuable."

"Azure Virtual Desktop provides users the ability to do remote work in a secure environment that is easy to manage."

"The scalability is probably the most valuable feature since I can quickly add or remove machines or increase or decrease the size depending on resources to manage the cost better."

"Azure Virtual Desktop is stable and provides a 100% stable experience."

"Absolutely, this solution is probably the leader in its field."

"The biggest advantages are the price and flexibility."

"The cost-effectiveness of Azure Virtual Machines is one of the most valuable features."

More Azure Virtual Desktop pros

"The management capability from the RAS portal provides greater control than using pure MS inbuilt into RDS capabilities."

"We use Cloudpaging to package and deploy the vast majority of our applications to our standard Windows 10 desktops. With the use of Parallels integration into Software2 AppsAnywhere hub, this means we can use the same packages to deliver Windows applications to almost any device - Windows, mac OS, iOS, Android, Linux, Xbox One, PS4 - just by ticking a box."

"It permits us to control the applications that our users are able to get to, in a seamless manner. We're able to distribute applications to users' desktops, just like those applications are on each user's computer, but they're not."

"We can publish apps and desktops on Terminal Servers and seamlessly share printers. We also combine Parallels with Deepnet Security to get two-factor authentication."

"Its price and ease of use are the most valuable. It is simple and has good performance."

"The connection is compressed so we don't need a lot of resources to run it."

"The stability is ok - once I finished the setup, the system was quite stable."

"It is a stable solution."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pros

Cons

"The primary area for improvement is around the scalability of Azure, specifically on the desktop side."

"My overall rating of Azure Virtual Desktop is five out of ten. While the stability and cost-effectiveness are commendable, there is room for improvement in technical support."

"The main issue is the response time, which needs improvement to be faster."

"Azure is vast, and perhaps an architect-level experience could provide more insights into potential improvements."

"The costs are a bit difficult to predict upfront."

"The costs are a bit difficult to predict upfront. When I am trying to sell it to a customer as a consultant, it is hard to give them a fixed price."

"Access from Entra ID should be implemented to provide only tenant access to users connecting to the Azure Virtual Desktop environment, eliminating the need for on-premises requirements."

"One of the issues I had was the ability to add an internet proxy. I would like to see built-in proxy and internet filtering."

More Azure Virtual Desktop cons

"Generally, it is a very good solution. The main thing that I would improve is their presence here in Mexico. They don't have strong local support here in Mexico. They should have a worldwide presence so that we don't have to do everything through the people in the US. The initial setup was a little bit complex because we were migrating from Citrix. For customers who are migrating from another platform like VMware or Citrix, it would be great if they can provide an automated migration solution."

"Opening a ticket should be available from the actual RAS console. It is cumbersome to go to a portal, hunt around for five minutes for a link to open a ticket, answer questions meant to direct you towards FAQs instead of live support, then fill out information (license #, version #, etc.) which could more easily be supplied by sending a ticket straight from the console with all of that information automatically specified."

"Since I've been here less than a year, I have had to upgrade the system three times. The first time was the major upgrade but they have upgraded twice since, and I think that's too many times in that time span."

"We would like to be able to re-label the OTP (One Time Password) popup so our users can easily recognize that they are to put in their DUO code on that line. Most users see OTP and ask what that is."

"We have had significant, ongoing issues with printing. It would be great to have a best practice for dealing with printing that we can offer to our customers."

"The main issue we have with all of our users is printing. Randomly, a printer will disconnect or someone won't connect to it and I will have to reset the print service and then nobody can print. That's the big headache we've had over the course of the five years."

"A web-based management interface for administration and reporting would be nice, instead of needing to log into a remote server."

"The customization of the web interface could possibly use some improvement. Little things, like being able to place a background image instead of just choosing from a palette of colors, would be nice."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"We currently use Parallels side-by-side with an Azure cloud-hosted solution. This may be from a lack of product knowledge on my part, but we still need to work out the most effective way to shut down servers outside of hours, thereby reduce hosting costs. I am not entirely convinced Parallels does this well yet."

"The pricing has always been competitive, and the new SPLA licensing model works great for our business and clients."

"I recommend testing Parallels and comparing it to your needs. Compare the prices against what you are able to do with the product and its alternatives. Parallels is not a cheap product."

"Parallels is a cost effective alternative to Citrix."

"Just compare it to Citrix and you will see the value in it."

"Work with the vendor, as this is a fairly new product and they want use cases. Deals can be made."

"Comparable performance to Citrix for our use case at a significantly lower cost. Pricing is clear and there are relatively few options or other pricing considerations when compared to similar products. Just be sure not to forget the Microsoft licensing that goes along with a Parallels deployment."

"It is very affordable."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

50%

Outsourcing Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Azure Virtual Desktop?

The usual amount customers pay for this tool varies. I have seen large deployments catering to 500 or 700 users. Enterprises do use it, and they pay quite a bit for this.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Azure Virtual Desktop?

Areas of Azure Virtual Desktop that could be improved or enhanced include the cost part and the auto-scaling part. There is a new dynamic auto-scaling feature which is in preview as of now, and wit...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Azure Virtual Desktop?

The usual use cases for Azure Virtual Desktop are for developers trying to have a development environment, and there are a couple of kinds of environments. One is dedicated instances and one is the...

See all answers

What do you like most about Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

The solution is powerful, and it has good speed and performance.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

The pricing for Parallels RAS is straightforward with a monthly fee for a minimum of 15 licenses. For Parallels Desktop, it is a yearly cost of a couple of hundred euros. No additional fees for mai...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS. As for Parallels Desktop, there is nothing specific that needs improvement.

See all answers

Comparisons

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Azure Virtual Desktop

Compared 88% of the time

Parallels Desktop vs Azure Virtual Desktop

Compared 4% of the time

Horizon Cloud Service vs Azure Virtual Desktop

Compared 3% of the time

Oracle VDI vs Azure Virtual Desktop

Compared 2% of the time

Nerdio vs Azure Virtual Desktop

Compared 1% of the time

More Azure Virtual Desktop Competitors

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 21% of the time

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 21% of the time

Horizon 8 vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 9% of the time

Amazon WorkSpaces vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 9% of the time

Horizon Cloud Service vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 2% of the time

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Virtual Desktop

August 2025

Download Azure Virtual Desktop product report

Buyer's Guide

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

August 2025

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) report

Download Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) product report

Also Known As

No data available

Parallels RAS

Overview

Azure Virtual Desktop enables scalable remote work with integration to Microsoft 365, enhancing collaboration and productivity. It offers secure access to desktops from anywhere, supported by features such as automation tools and robust security measures.

Azure Virtual Desktop is a powerful cloud-based platform facilitating remote work, disaster recovery, and secure access to applications. It supports multiple users, allowing efficient management of host pools and provides flexibility for consultants and contractors. Challenges include unpredictable costs and the need for improved scalability, better application delivery, and seamless transition from Windows 10 to 11. While it boosts hybrid work capabilities, further enhancements in intelligent scaling and integration with proxies are needed. Organizations use it for development, ensuring data security and management simplicity, but seek dynamic auto-scaling and cost optimization.

What are the key features of Azure Virtual Desktop?

Scalability: Efficient resource adjustment based on demand
Microsoft 365 Integration: Enhances collaboration and productivity
Security: Includes MFA, end-to-end encryption, and Azure Active Directory integration
Hybrid Work Capabilities: Enables secure desktop access from any location
Automation Tools: Streamlines deployment and reduces manual efforts

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Azure Virtual Desktop?

Cost-Effectiveness: Flexible licensing and resource scaling adapt to demand
Enhanced Productivity: Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 for improved collaboration
Comprehensive Security: Provides robust features like MFA and encryption
Remote Work Efficiency: Supports multiple users with secure, anytime access

Azure Virtual Desktop is widely implemented across industries like technology, consulting, and finance. Firms utilize it for secure remote work, offering access to applications and data while maintaining stringent security protocols. It is particularly beneficial in scenarios requiring disaster recovery and seamless multi-session capabilities for globally dispersed teams.

Microsoft

ApplicationServer delivers applications, data and virtual desktops from a central location, providing continuous availability, resource-based load-balancing and complete network transparency.

Parallels

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Arsari Group _ PT Netmarks Indonesia, Izhevsk Elektromekhanicheskiy Zavod (IEMZ) _ Kupol, Abilene Diagnostic Clinic, Fylde Borough Council, YARSTROYREZE LLC, VSK Insurance House, Melenkovsky District of Vladimirskaya Oblast, Sofrigam SA, Antenna International, KingsGate Community Church, Norwegian American Hospital, Island Hotels Group, Medway Council, Medway Council, Voices of September 11th, MacDonald Training Center, Kansas Childrenês Service League, Scope,Next Generation Clubs, WTC Communications, Opera Australia, HSE Integrated, Danier, Bridgwater College, Kern County Mental Health, Tony Tiendas, Spears Manufacturing, Managed Insurance Services Inc., Intuitive Medical Software, M.J. Soffe, Mazda Motors, Israel Military Industries (IMI), Telfair, Upic Solutions, Teleflora, Fisher & Company

Buyer's Guide

Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

July 2025

Free Report: Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Find out what your peers are saying about Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.

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