TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Contact about Parallels Desktop for Mac

Please fill out the form below to get in touch.

Parallels

Connect with Parallels

What are you interested in?

Already have an account?

You hereby consent to have TrustRadius share the information supplied on this form with Parallels so that Parallels and TrustRadius may contact you in regard to the information requested.

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Chrome Remote Desktop

    Score8.5 out of 10
    N/AChrome Remote Desktop from Google is a cross-platform remote administration and remote desktop tool that requires the Chrome browser and an extension. It is free to use.

    $0

    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
    Chrome Remote 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
    Chrome Remote DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Free Trial
    NoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Chrome Remote DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Considered Both Products
    Google
    No answer on this topic
    Parallels
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    12 Answers
    96%
    Would buy again
    25 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    12 Answers
    96%
    Delivers good value for the price
    24 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    92%
    Happy with the feature set
    11 Answers
    96%
    Happy with the feature set
    25 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    5 Answers
    96%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    22 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    9 Answers
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    23 Answers
    Features
    Chrome Remote DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Remote Administration
    Comparison of Remote Administration features of Chrome Remote Desktop and Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    Chrome Remote Desktop
    8.3
    21 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Parallels Desktop for Mac
    -
    Ratings
    Screen sharing6.720 Ratings00 Ratings
    File transfer7.611 Ratings00 Ratings
    Instant message7.06 Ratings00 Ratings
    Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Access to sleeping/powered-off computers9.610 Ratings00 Ratings
    Over-the-Internet remote session9.221 Ratings00 Ratings
    Initiate remote control from mobile8.017 Ratings00 Ratings
    Remote management of servers & workstations9.319 Ratings00 Ratings
    Remote Active Directory® management7.05 Ratings00 Ratings
    Centralized management dashboard9.08 Ratings00 Ratings
    Session record9.05 Ratings00 Ratings
    Annotations9.04 Ratings00 Ratings
    Monitoring and Alerts9.04 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multi-platform remote control7.015 Ratings00 Ratings
    Application Virtualization
    Comparison of Application Virtualization features of Chrome Remote Desktop and Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    Chrome Remote 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
    Best Alternatives
    Chrome Remote DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Small Businesses
    N-able Take Control
    Score7.2 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9.6 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score9.1 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Chrome Remote DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.5
    (21 ratings)
    8.8
    (35 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    9.8
    (5 ratings)
    Usability
    8.9
    (7 ratings)
    9.6
    (7 ratings)
    Support Rating
    3.8
    (7 ratings)
    9.0
    (8 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    10.0
    (4 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Chrome Remote DesktopParallels Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Google
    It is well suited in cases where your company/organization is looking for a low/no cost remote desktop solution, or is looking for something that can be used by most anyone right away. Most organizations don't want things to be too complex, especially with a remote desktop solution, which is generally not very complex software to begin with. It would be less appropriate in cases where the company/organization has already purchased licensing for a commercial product, and/or has been heavily using a commercial product for some time.
    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
    Google
    • Unlike Microsoft's Remote Desktop, this program is the same across platforms, which is helpful for users.
    • This program also allows direct control over the desktop (like TeamViewer) and doesn't give you a simulated log on (like Remote Desktop). This is advantageous for seeing exactly what's on the screen but can make it a little laggy.
    • The interface is very nice and clear once it's set up. It's obvious which computer is which and it's just a couple of clicks from opening the program to a connection.
    • The mobile app is also really really well done.
    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
    Google
    • More fluid video rendering. Does a good job, but could use a more consistent framerate at times.
    • A way to easier switch between multiple monitors.
    • Adding an ability to zoom for multi-monitor display. Sometimes on a single screen it can get difficult to read if trying to view them all.
    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
    Google
    A very easy lightweight tool that is completely scalable and deployed via google admin platform. The tool is free to use and works extremely well with the chrome devices we currently have deployed. Any organization using chrome or google suites should look into this tool as it's much easier to use then other remote software in the market
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Google
    Just a great product that has saved countless hours of commute to work and given the flexibility to be able to work from anywhere, whether at home or when away on holiday overseas. I love that it is a free product and is just as great as its competitors' products. It has also allowed me to prepare for work for the following day.
    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
    Google
    The only support I ever accessed were help files and web tutorials. I never tried to access personal support, mostly because I don't believe much of it is available. As a free service, my expectations for support are pretty low; that said, Chrome Remote Desktop is easy enough to configure and troubleshoot even with limited technical knowledge.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Google
    None, its quick and easy
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Google
    Chrome Remote Desktop seems to be a an easy to use and efficient program. Such as TeamViewer, however TeamViewer offers more program features such as able to control a device's function (shutting down, restarting, audio input, cmd etc). With those added program features I believe Chrome Remote Desktop can almost be up to par with TeamViewer.
    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
    Google
    • Using Chrome Remote Desktop, we've saved money on remote desktop software.
    • Using Chrome Remote Desktop, we've saved money by not needing to purchase additional hardware (monitors).
    • Using Chrome Remote Desktop has improved the productivity of my organization by allowing employees to work from anywhere.
    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

    Chrome Remote Desktop Screenshots

    Screenshot of the option to share a screen or access another computer in Chrome Remote Desktop.Screenshot of the screen to setup a remote connection.

    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).