Parallels Desktop vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) comparison

Parallels Desktop and Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) are both solutions in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category. Parallels Desktop is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.0, while Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is ranked #11 with an average rating of 7.5. Parallels Desktop holds a 12.3% mindshare in VD, compared to Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)’s 2.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Parallels Desktop users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) users who would recommend it.

Parallels Desktop

Read 2 Parallels Desktop reviews

4,956 Views
4,956 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

Parallels Desktop

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) and Parallels Desktop compete in the virtualization space, targeting different users. RAS appeals to businesses focusing on application access, while Desktop offers a virtual environment on Mac, excelling in features that users find valuable despite cost.

Features: RAS provides secure remote access, load balancing, and a seamless desktop experience, ideal for enterprises. Desktop offers flexibility to run Windows alongside macOS, ensuring robust integration and performance, catering to individuals with diverse needs.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: RAS is designed for smooth enterprise-scale deployments with comprehensive support maintaining business flow. Desktop offers a user-friendly setup for personal use, supported by tailored customer service.

Pricing and ROI: RAS is known for cost-effective deployment with scalable resource management enhancing business ROI. Desktop requires higher investment but delivers strong ROI for individual cross-platform use.

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

Buyer's Guide

Parallels 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

Parallels Desktop

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

6th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

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 Parallels Desktop is 12.3%, up from 9.8% compared to the previous year. 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

Grant-Donald

Information Security Consultant at Excellenta

It integrates seamlessly with macOS, but it's not compatible with VMware

Parallels Desktop does the same thing as VMware but for Apple users Parallels Desktop integrates seamlessly with macOS. It works better than VMware on Apple operating systems. The biggest challenge is compatibility between VMware and Parallels because the two systems are incompatible. It can be…

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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

"I like how, with Parallels, you can either boot into Mac or Windows to get better control over the resources of the laptops since you're sharing the resources in dual mode."

"Parallels Desktop integrates seamlessly with macOS. It works better than VMware on Apple operating systems."

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

"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."

"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."

"Ease of use in publishing apps and installing the agent. The Interface is fairly intuitive after some tinkering. Although I inherited the app only two-thirds deployed, I was able to complete the deployment and service it over the last year without referring to any documentation."

"Simplicity of the interface is a valuable feature."

"Parallels Desktop allows me to run both Mac and Windows operating systems on a single machine, eliminating the need for separate Windows hardware."

"Allows us to publish applications accessible by current-generation HTML5 browser or OS-specific client (Windows, Android, iOS), and it supports popular single sign-on and multi-factor authentication protocols."

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

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pros

Cons

"There may have been some issues with device drivers on my Mac. Similarly, there are some issues with transferring data from Parallels to the Mac."

"The biggest challenge is compatibility between VMware and Parallels because the two systems are incompatible. It can be challenging if you are switching between Windows and Mac. I recommend sticking with one product because there isn't good compatibility between the different products."

"Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is an expensive solution, and its pricing could be improved."

"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."

"It needs Windows scaling on Android/iOS devices. At present, the concept of delivering apps to Android and iOS devices is appealing, but the reality is the screen size on these devices is so small that, unless there is some scaling option, it is not really usable."

"We would like the ability to provide a popup message, such as a maintenance notification. That same notification on the Parallels client would be awesome."

"From a seller's point of view, there are a lot of things that they could do better in the sales cycle."

"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."

"We use several gateways because access to our secret zone requires two-factor user authentication. It is a lot of hassle differentiating among users with or without two-factor. Of course, we could use two farms, but that would mean more management too."

"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

"It is inexpensive compared to one of its competitors."

"It is not that high. It is in the medium range. Of course, it could be lower, but the price is not the issue."

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

"Pricing is a little steep."

"It justifies the price. In terms of licensing, initially when we got the product it was an unlimited licensing strategy. We knew would grow in the coming years. So initially, we took a plan which had no limit. After a year or so the strategy changed and we were being limited to 105 licenses, that was the minimum... If there was flexibility for increasing the number of licenses that would be great because you never know how much you are going to grow in the next year."

"Parallels is a cost effective alternative to Citrix."

"It is very affordable."

"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."

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

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

13%

University

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Parallels Desktop?

I like how, with Parallels, you can either boot into Mac or Windows to get better control over the resources of the laptops since you're sharing the resources in dual mode.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Parallels Desktop?

If you want the standard version, it is more expensive but more advanced. You get what you pay for. These products cost money, and the company has to make a profit.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Parallels Desktop?

There may have been some issues with device drivers on my Mac. Similarly, there are some issues with transferring data from Parallels to the Mac.

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.

See all answers

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

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Compared 2% of the time

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Compared 21% of the time

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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

Workspace ONE UEM vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 7% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

August 2025

Download Parallels 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

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software for Mac that allows users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems alongside macOS without rebooting. It provides a seamless experience for users who need access to different operating systems on a single machine.

As a powerful cross-platform solution, Parallels Desktop is designed for developers, testers, and users who require flexibility in operating multiple systems concurrently. It efficiently manages resources, offering significant advantages for those who need Windows applications on a Mac without compromising on performance. Its intuitive setup and strong integration with macOS make it highly appealing to technical teams looking for productivity enhancements.

What features stand out in Parallels Desktop?

Coherence Mode: Integrates Windows applications with macOS for a unified user experience.
Resource Allocation: Allows users to fine-tune resources dedicated to each virtual machine for optimal performance.
Cross-Platform Data Transfer: Enables easy sharing of files and data between operating systems.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Increased Productivity: Seamless access to Windows applications on Mac can enhance workflow efficiency.
Cost-Effective Solution: Reduces the need for multiple devices, saving on hardware costs.
Improved Flexibility: Offers the ability to run testing environments on a single device, increasing operational flexibility.

In industries like software development and design, Parallels Desktop is often implemented to streamline operations, allowing professionals to simultaneously utilize macOS and Windows tools. This adaptability proves essential in environments that demand the use of diverse software applications, ensuring continuity and productivity.

Parallels

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

Lytro, University of Washington, Slalom, Veeva Systems, Oklahoma Christian University

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

Parallels Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

July 2025

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

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