

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services and Parallels Remote Application Server are competitors in the remote access solutions market. Parallels RAS appears to have an advantage due to its versatility, making it more appealing to users despite Microsoft's established presence.
Features: Microsoft RDS is known for its reliability and seamless integration with security frameworks, utilizing Active Directory for simplified authentication. It supports remote access across various platforms. Parallels RAS excels in easy management, application publishing, and compatibility with multiple device types, including non-Windows systems. Its comprehensive security and scalability enhance user interactions.
Room for Improvement: Microsoft RDS could enhance connectivity in slow network environments and improve cross-platform functionality and security protocols. Parallels RAS may need to bolster local support and lessen reliance on Microsoft solutions for IT flexibility.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft RDS offers diverse deployment options, including on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments. However, customer service experiences vary. Parallels RAS ensures simple installation and management, though user feedback indicates a desire for increased local support and customization capabilities.
Pricing and ROI: Microsoft RDS provides cost-effective solutions with Windows license bundles, although additional access licenses might increase expenses. Parallels RAS is competitively priced compared to Citrix and offers clear licensing, yet some users seek more scalable pricing structures.
By unlocking a locked situation, I mean we couldn't connect to a server in any other way, so we had to use RDP.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services has helped us to be efficient; we are a team of five serving the entire region of Africa and the Middle East, and it has truly improved our overall efficiency as a team.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services has saved us considerable time because we don't have to be on-site for support and have more accessibility to the machines.
I would rate the customer support of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services a 10.
Interacting with Amazon's customer support seems to route the request to the correct team almost immediately, resulting in quicker responses.
If I have any issues related to the installation or initial setup, they have been great and a helping hand.
For Parallels RAS, the support is rated eight out of ten.
The scalability of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is 10 out of 10.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services scales very well; I could scale it to however many users I would want.
The scalability of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is high, as it is already providing me with the flexibility to access my system from anywhere.
I can start from fifteen users and scale it to nearly any size.
I have never faced any issues related to its working or its availability.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is stable, and I can confirm this.
I also understand that this tool is in an end-of-life state now, with Microsoft actively pushing people towards Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365.
On macOS, we sometimes experience keyboard connectivity issues.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services can be improved by better integrating it within Teams or providing a Teams integration to connect to customer support teams or other systems' accesses using Remote Desktop internally, rather than as a separate individual tool.
A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS.
These licenses are not cheap, as they add up in cost.
I understand it can get quite expensive and also complex to manage these different licenses.
I don't think there was any cost, as this was built into our experience with Windows and Azure.
No additional fees for maintenance or support are required.
The main benefits that Microsoft Remote Desktop Services provide to me include streamlining my working process, ensuring security, and offering flexibility to connect to virtual desktops and apps from multiple devices.
Using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services has helped my team save time and improve productivity because we had Microsoft servers that were impossible to connect from our MacBook Pro laptops, and once we started using RDP, we could connect and move forward to deliver the project.
The best features Microsoft Remote Desktop Services offers include providing me administrator access, certain inbuilt client tools, and the ability to remotely access enterprise applications, as well as helping me validate whether certificates exist or are missing, or near to expiry.
In terms of Parallels Desktop, the coherence mode that allows Mac and Windows applications to run seamlessly side by side is highly regarded.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Remote Desktop Services | 6.4% |
| Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) | 3.7% |
| Other | 89.9% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 45 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 16 |
| Large Enterprise | 36 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 15 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 10 |
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services provides secure, seamless access to remote applications with cross-platform compatibility and centralized management, enhancing productivity and resource sharing in Windows environments.
The robust security features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services enable efficient data handling and user support across devices. With a focus on remote application access, scalability, and ease of use, this solution integrates effortlessly with Windows environments. It offers centralized management, facilitating smooth IT operations. However, there is potential for improving interface intuitiveness and setup simplicity. Addressing keyboard compatibility with macOS, network connectivity challenges, and security vulnerabilities could enhance the user experience. Optimization for performance on slower networks and clearer license management would further benefit users.
What are the key features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services?In numerous industries, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services supports remote server management, virtual desktops, and application virtualization. Organizations use it for collaboration, secure data handling, and accessing critical resources across different locations. It aids in troubleshooting, ensuring secure connections to client applications and facilitating testing and support for multiple users in diverse environments.
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) offers efficient remote application and desktop delivery across diverse devices, providing businesses with easy management and robust performance, ensuring stable and secure access.
RAS simplifies remote access through its user-friendly design, encompassing app publishing, device compatibility, and management capabilities. Users benefit from its HTML 5 Client convenience and impressive speed. With features like security groups and client compatibility, RAS excels in providing a stable and flexible environment. Its scalability across platforms and affordability makes it attractive for many organizations. However, areas such as printing stability, customization, and performance monitoring could benefit from further enhancements.
What are the key features of Parallels RAS?Industry implementations of Parallels RAS include its use as a client gateway and an alternative to Windows RDS. With support for Macs, Windows, Linux, and Android devices, it facilitates application publishing and migration from platforms like VMware. Organizations employ RAS for remote control, VDI, and ERP solutions, improving remote workforce operations and geographic application distribution.
We monitor all Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.