AnyDesk vs. Parallels Desktop for Mac

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
AnyDesk
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
AnyDesk Software in Stuttgart offers their eponymous remote desktop software, designed to provide resilient remote access even with poor network access.
$274.80
per year 1 licensed user with 3 login devices
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Score 9.4 out of 10
N/A
Parallels® Desktop for Mac is used to run Windows on Intel or Apple silicon. Users can switch between Mac and Windows applications, while retaining the macOS appearance, or use the familiar Windows desktop aesthetic.
$99.99
per year
Pricing
AnyDeskParallels Desktop for Mac
Editions & Modules
Solo
$22.90
per month (billed annually) 1 licensed user with 3 login devices
Standard
$35.90
per month (billed annually) 20 licensed users in a team
Advanced
$79.90
per month (billed annually) 100 licensed users in a team
Enterprise
Custom
per year billed annually
Parallels Desktop Standard Edition
$99.99
per year
Mac App Store
$99.99
per year
Parallels Desktop Pro Edition
$119.99
per year
Parallels Desktop Business Edition
$149.99
per year
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AnyDeskParallels Desktop for Mac
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsAnyDesk is free for personal use and offers a limited set of features and support. Professional users need a license. Only the initiator of a session needs a license, participants are free.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AnyDeskParallels Desktop for Mac
Features
AnyDeskParallels Desktop for Mac
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
AnyDesk
8.6
46 Ratings
7% above category average
Parallels Desktop for Mac
-
Ratings
Screen sharing9.444 Ratings00 Ratings
File transfer8.945 Ratings00 Ratings
Instant message8.440 Ratings00 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication9.217 Ratings00 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.933 Ratings00 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session8.643 Ratings00 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile8.639 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations8.934 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management8.729 Ratings00 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard8.335 Ratings00 Ratings
Session record8.639 Ratings00 Ratings
Annotations7.533 Ratings00 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.432 Ratings00 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control8.740 Ratings00 Ratings
Application Virtualization
Comparison of Application Virtualization features of Product A and Product B
AnyDesk
-
Ratings
Parallels Desktop for Mac
9.2
3 Ratings
18% above category average
Application support00 Ratings8.73 Ratings
Ease of deployment00 Ratings9.43 Ratings
Security00 Ratings9.43 Ratings
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AnyDeskParallels Desktop for Mac
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Getscreen.me
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Score 9.7 out of 10
Parallels RAS
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Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Remote Desktop Manager
Remote Desktop Manager
Score 9.3 out of 10
Nutanix AHV
Nutanix AHV
Score 8.8 out of 10
Enterprises
Remote Desktop Manager
Remote Desktop Manager
Score 9.3 out of 10
Nutanix AHV
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Score 8.8 out of 10
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User Ratings
AnyDeskParallels Desktop for Mac
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
(45 ratings)
9.4
(33 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Usability
8.9
(20 ratings)
10.0
(5 ratings)
Support Rating
9.3
(12 ratings)
9.0
(6 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
AnyDeskParallels Desktop for Mac
Likelihood to Recommend
AnyDesk Software
It is suited for every business. You can use it whether you are an individual, student, professional, or organization. You can simply download it, ask the user to share their ID, connect to their system, and support them remotely. You don't require any special skill or technical knowledge to use it.
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Alludo
Parallels works just like a window or application on the Mac. Hence, it is beneficial to keep both OS versions hand in hand. Parallels is very useful when writing code for mobile/iOS applications. File sharing and paste functions are very easy to use. More than one machine can be taken on Parallels. It also integrates with Microsoft Intune. It can run other OS versions other than Windows.
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Pros
AnyDesk Software
  • Minimises the physical involvement of our trainers for training new technicians joining the company.
  • Building better relationships with our clients by assisting them with bookings and understanding services.
  • Also we use it to manage clients feedbacks and share information with each other.
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Alludo
  • File Transfer - You can easily transfer files between Parallels virtualized desktops and the host desktop either through Copy and Paste functionality, or Drag and Drop. You can also configure shared folders.
  • Switch Between Virtual and Host Desktop - You can configure swipe gestures on a MacBook Pro to be able to switch between the virtualized and host desktop. You can also launch apps from the OS X Taskbar.
  • Performance - Apps in Parallels run quite smoothly on my 2015 MacBook Pro, as of 2020. Considering they are running on a 5-year-old computer, I give Parallels top marks for performance.
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Cons
AnyDesk Software
  • we should be able to connect from windows to iphone or ipad, it is now possible to connect to ipad or iphone. AnyDesk can work on this.
  • the field where we enter remote address should be more visible. New user cannot find where to enter the remote address that takes some time to connect. AnyDesk should change the placement of it.
  • If we can change the colour theme of the UI that will be an addon thing. when you daily use AnyDesk you get bored of the same UI.
  • Just like a Xmax UI. Any desk should constantly change somethings which makes the UI visually appealing.
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Alludo
  • Having to buy a new upgrade whenever Apple updates the OS with its yearly releases seems a bit excessive.
  • The integration features between Windows and Mac are enabled by default, which can clutter both sides; I would rather it was not default.
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Likelihood to Renew
AnyDesk Software
I don't have any reason to change
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Alludo
Users are familiar with the application which will keep us going for a little while. However since we are seeing a decline for a need for the software, I wouldn't be surprised to find that this answer changes dramatically in the near future. We would probably keep it to some extent, but we would probably reduce our licensing count.
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Usability
AnyDesk Software
Considering the overall experience compared to other products, I find this to be very user-friendly, lighter to use, and accessible to individuals who are not familiar with computers. Data transfer is quicker and easier. There is no need to train people to use this. It can be done with a few instructions over the phone.
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Alludo
It has a good integration, including the connection of peripherals. Taking files back and forth works well and I can attach my Home drive as a network drive in Windows. There is even integration with iCloud and other macOS services. There are also a few different display modes which are useful and fleixible (coherence, windowed, full-screen with multiple screens)
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Support Rating
AnyDesk Software
I didn't have any technical problems and I didn't suffer from bugs or errors. Customer service has improved a lot and I no longer need to leave the office to go to the user's computer. With AnyDesk I install and remove programs, printers, scanners, settings in general. Screen sharing is excellent and without delays. Overall, I recommend and approve AnyDesk.
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Alludo
So, this rating is a little skewed toward older behavior from Parallels, as I haven't had to contact them recently. However, in an older version of Parallels, an "update" included pop-ups urging users to upgrade to the latest version, implying that their current version wouldn't work for the latest MacOS. I found it very frustrating to be getting ads for a new version of the software in a version I had already paid for. I contacted support about this and got a generic, uncaring response. It was pretty disappointing.
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Implementation Rating
AnyDesk Software
No answers on this topic
Alludo
The only advice I can provide is think about who is using the product and build the image based on the true needs of the user.
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Alternatives Considered
AnyDesk Software
Getscreen.me connects remotely directly from your browser, it's very convenient - no need to explain to customers what and how to install. Also, it has a very user-friendly interface. They also have all the necessary features for remote access (file sharing, WoL, black screen, session recording) and are significantly cheaper.
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Alludo
Main two features that made the balance decission go to the Parallels Desktop were the possibility to pause the Windows partition easily (allowing to consume less resources in Mac and save battery) and the other one is the user interface feature called "Coherence" with allows you to show the Windows application windows as if they were native to the macOS, allowing for a better user experience.
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Return on Investment
AnyDesk Software
  • Time cost saving:
  • As it can help to solve issues remotely it saves much time and effort while working
  • Minimal requirement:
  • AnyDesk doesn't ask much setup or requirement that is beneficial and same time its easy to use also
  • Versatile:
  • AnyDesk is versatile used tool and same time user friendly also, it doesn't cost special training time or hard precautions for any user
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Alludo
  • Saves money on having to buy a Windows and MacBook, as the MacBook can run almost 99% of all Windows software and usually run it faster and share between your MacBook transparently.
  • Gives employers the most flexibility with regards to which OS to adopt across an enterprise
  • We are a media company and everyone uses Macs in our industry, Fortune 500 companies also use Windows and MS Project, Parallels gives you the most flexibility for almost all of these use cases
  • Improves efficiency as the MacBook Pro M3 systems are much faster than some of the fastest corporate issued Windows laptops. What takes me 3-10 seconds for a video export can take 5 minutes on a similar Windows laptop
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ScreenShots

Parallels Desktop for Mac Screenshots

Screenshot of Parallels Desktop running Windows applications, on a Mac.Screenshot of the ability to switch between operating systems without rebooting.Screenshot of Coherence Mode, which minimizes distraction.Screenshot of file sharing between Mac and Windows.Screenshot of application development and testing in Windows, Linux, and virtual macOS (Pro & Business Edition).Screenshot of license management in Parallels Desktop (Business Edition).