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Azure Virtual Desktop vs. Parallels Desktop for Mac

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Azure Virtual Desktop

    Score8.7 out of 10
    N/AAzure Virtual Desktops are a comprehensive desktop and app virtualization service running in the cloud.N/A

    Parallels Desktop for Mac

    Score8.6 out of 10
    N/AParallels® 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
    Azure Virtual DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    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
    Azure Virtual DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Azure Virtual DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Considered Both Products
    Microsoft
    Chose Azure Virtual Desktop
    All exploring options for virtual desktops, Azure Windows Virtual Desktop, has a significant advantage with ease of use as most users are familiar with the windows operating system. This makes it possible for any user to do their best work, and with Azure Windows Virtual …
    Incentivized
    Parallels
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    20 Answers
    96%
    Would buy again
    25 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    18 Answers
    96%
    Delivers good value for the price
    24 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    20 Answers
    96%
    Happy with the feature set
    25 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    9 Answers
    96%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    22 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    14 Answers
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    23 Answers
    Features
    Azure Virtual DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Application Virtualization
    Comparison of Application Virtualization features of Azure Virtual Desktop and Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    Azure Virtual Desktop
    -
    Ratings
    Parallels Desktop for Mac
    9.1
    5 Ratings
    17% above category average
    Application support00 Ratings9.25 Ratings
    Ease of deployment00 Ratings9.35 Ratings
    Security00 Ratings8.85 Ratings
    User Ratings
    Azure Virtual DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.2
    (20 ratings)
    8.8
    (35 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.8
    (5 ratings)
    Usability
    7.7
    (4 ratings)
    9.6
    (7 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (8 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (4 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Azure Virtual DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Microsoft
    1. Overall we had excellent cost reduction after migrating from Citrix. We no longer need per-user CALs, and can scale our environment down to match usage. 2. Since the hosts are in Azure, Multi-session Windows 11 is fantastic. 3. Ability to Scale up to meet usage has saved us during several critical outages.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    Parallels is great for an end user that is primarily a macOS user, but occasionally needs Windows access to a specific application or service that is Windows only, or Windows primarily. It obviates the need for multiple desktop units or remote VMs where spin up time is an issue. It is not quite perfect due to the ARM version of Windows requirement, but that particular case is common to all ARM use of Windows.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Microsoft
    • Better computing power
    • Configurable System and as per team needs configuration can be added or removed at ease
    • Internet Connectivity within the cloud system is way better than our home / office internet connections
    • No heating issues on personal machines, leaving all the worry on actual data center machines
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    • The configurations & space allocations can be done on parallels.
    • It integrates very well with the Mac; copying/pasting and sharing files can be done between the two platforms - Windows/Mac.
    • It supports virtual machines, Touch-ID (which works on Mac and will work on Windows, too), and bridges the gap between two operating systems.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Microsoft
    • While it is PaaS it would be nice to have some monitoring insights into some parts of the offering
    • Migrating user sessions from one host to another (to be able to downscale) would be awesome
    • It would be nice to have a more seamless deployment of FSLogix in a AVD Enviroment
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    • 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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Microsoft
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Microsoft
    Stability and latency complaints are common, but not experienced by all users. A drop in overall productivity can be seen in contributors who rely on a lot of copy-pasting for editing, so some such commands are not instantaneous. Set up is intuitive and the tool is simple enough. It was quick to adopt and stick to.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    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)
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Microsoft
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    The Parallels documentation and support websites are great. I have not had much use for them, but a cursory check shows richly documented features aimed at both the layperson and the power user or software developer. Their website is well-designed and information is easy to find, and their list of known issues as well as bugfixes on point releases is clear and transparent. They aren't trying to hide any of the limitations of their software, and seem to be regularly updating it to fix new bugs that arise with Mac OS X updates.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Microsoft
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Microsoft
    They are all part of my company's environment.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Microsoft
    • Generally, Positive so far. From business objectives, we covered security, scalability and efficiency but implementing AVD.
    • User are able to work securely from anywhere and support hybrid model as well.
    • however, ongoing attention require to make sure you are not over sizing the host pools and cost remain in expected budget.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    • 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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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).