NetScaler Gateway vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
NetScaler Gateway
Score 7.4 out of 10
N/A
NetScaler Gateway (formerly Citrix Gateway) is an access gateway with SSL VPN solution, providing single sign-on (SSO) and authentication for remote end users of network assets.
$995
per month
Parallels RAS
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS, formerly 2X RAS), is application virtualization technology, billed as a solution to extend the life of legacy OS (like Windows XP) with its virtual desktop for any device. Maltese company 2X Software developed the technology, but was acquired by Parallels (in Seattle, WA) in February, 2015 to extend their cross-platform support solutions.
$120
per year per user
Pricing
NetScaler GatewayParallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
NetScaler GatewayParallels RAS
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsThe price for a Citrix Gateway (VPX) perpetual license is $995.00. You must contact the sales team for subscription license pricing.—
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
NetScaler GatewayParallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Considered Both Products
NetScaler Gateway

No answer on this topic

Parallels RAS
Chose Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
One of the best remote work solution which has virtual access to windows apps and desktops. Also secure access.
Chose Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Parallel RAS is so much easier to install than Citrix. Doesn't require a NetScaler for external access. The customizing for the login page is so much simpler they anything we have used. The single console helps our helpdesk staff manage clients much easier.
Chose Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Parallels RAS stacks up against other options, but each has its own pros and cons; it is important to know what a company is trying to accomplish with the solution to make the best decision as they're all good products. The same is true across the board with IT. For instance, …
Chose Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
First and foremost, Parallels Remote Application Server is a game changer in price performance compared to Citrix. In addition, the security and flexibility compared to a traditional Microsoft RDS solution is night and day better both in terms of security and configuration …
Chose Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
In both instances, Parallels was cheaper and less complicated both in technical terms and licencing terms - lower barrier to entry and right fit for our company.
Chose Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Parallels RAS combines almost all features in one product.
Chose Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Users were formerly using unmanaged remote access programs to bypass the firewall. Previously I had used RemoteApp when the source of users was predictable (and traffic could be limited to a single site).
Top Pros
Top Cons
Best Alternatives
NetScaler GatewayParallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion
Score 8.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Score 8.6 out of 10
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion
Score 8.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Score 8.6 out of 10
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion
Score 8.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
NetScaler GatewayParallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(13 ratings)
8.7
(140 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.7
(18 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
7.8
(16 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.6
(3 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(3 ratings)
Support Rating
8.0
(3 ratings)
8.6
(129 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(9 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.4
(2 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.6
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.4
(3 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.4
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
NetScaler GatewayParallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
Likelihood to Recommend
NetScaler
The best usage scenario for Citrix Netscaler Gateway is in enterprises with a high volume of telecommuting users or in situations where the user needs to access certain applications from anywhere. In our case as a hospital, we need our doctors to access the medical records of the patients and be able to carry out any required action, with a high level of security and with a certain agility.
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Alludo
Parallels RAS can be used in many scenarios, It can be a VDI platform for desktop replacement and a move to a more central virtualized infrastructure. It can allow you to publish a cloud app that can be accessed from anywhere on nearly any device avoiding the need to install anything on device. I can see its value in Retail, Remote services, Manufacturing, schools, etc. anywhere with an internet connection. It adds a secure layer in front of RDP services. It can be used to allow secure access to desktops or laptops from outside the office if this is something you need to do
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Pros
NetScaler
  • allows seamless use of 2-factor authentication for heightened security within the VPN, and lowers risk of an external hack because of it.
  • it allows for differing levels of security. access can be set specifically through the VPN so 2 users can use the same site and get different results depending on their active directory security policy.
  • It can grant the ability to launch a single application or an entire VPN envelope
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Alludo
  • The printing driver is quite excellent, both in the Parallels Client and on the HTML5 client.
  • Setup is incredibly easy; the default setup is very functional, and adding features is a breeze.
  • Speed is very acceptable in general for end-users, the clients adapt quite well to the amount of bandwidth available, and features are available to adjust further.
  • Automation through PowerShell is great.
  • Support is usually quite fast and efficient.
Read full review
Cons
NetScaler
  • I suggest make it more faster because sometimes its lagging but not all the time.
  • When it comes to Notepad I suggest having options for the size of fonts, and color of fonts, to make it look nicer.
  • I suggest making it more user-friendly, and more features so that users can perfectly maximize this tool.
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Alludo
  • Enable users' access to their personal computer drives when accessing the cloud services through Parallels RAS.
  • Limiting and controlling the access to server resources for the users.
  • Need improvement in managing the resolution of service accessed via RAS Client (works well via RAS Browser, though).
  • Improve access to personal and organizational print and scanning devices from the cloud service.
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Likelihood to Renew
NetScaler
No answers on this topic
Alludo
We have been using Parallels since it was called 2X - it is a major part of how we do business. It is fairly simple to use and maintain - staff like it, we like it. It is a product that makes a promise - and it keeps it. As Parallels evolves, and clean bandwidth becomes more readily available everywhere - it just makes sense to continue to use Parallels in our environment
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Usability
NetScaler
No answers on this topic
Alludo
You do not need to be an expert in IT to configure, manage or train anyone to use RAS. Everything about deployment was simple and straightforward although I do wish the integration with okta and SAML was there and it didn't require the use of Active Directory for certain parts of the deployment. We eliminated AD and use Okta exclusively but without the integration we are forced to setup local users and use WORKGROUP on the server. Not terrible, just not as streamlined or secure
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Reliability and Availability
NetScaler
No answers on this topic
Alludo
If there are any issues with Parallels - they are usually more about the server operating systems than Parallels itself. It would be rare for us to have any reason to take Parallels offline - we schedule a reboot on the servers at 3am to keep the O/S itself fresh, but again - it is not a Parallels issue. If individual users have any issues we ask them to completely log out of parallels - which ends their session - and then back in - and that typically resolves the issue right away.
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Performance
NetScaler
No answers on this topic
Alludo
I am giving Parallels 9/10 on this one because the only application that sometimes seems slow or has issues - is Microsoft Outlook. It is sometimes the result of a pop-up that may not show up in the published application (vs full desktop). Other than that - pages load very quickly - and it does not seem to slow down other applications that are running at the same time. Most of our users run Outlook, softphone and Teams locally - and published applications for everything else. When they do that - it is very solid.
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Support Rating
NetScaler
Support is pretty good and pretty fast to respond. I can't say I can really complain about the support experience I've had with them, as they've resolved issues within a reasonable time-frame. Of course, they could always be faster and better, but I think for what we pay, it's well worth the money.
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Alludo
Good support in place if required, very helpful when it comes to upgrades or any issues faced. The support team is knowledgeable, friendly, and quick to respond to issues The company also provides a range of online resources, including a
knowledge base, documentation, and forums, which can be helpful before raising a ticket
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Online Training
NetScaler
No answers on this topic
Alludo
Documentation is fair but sometimes a little difficult to follow
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Implementation Rating
NetScaler
No answers on this topic
Alludo
Overall, it was pretty simple compared to most other projects. Again, we had a strong familarity with the product so there was not much of a learning curve. Our 'biggest' issue is the end-user understanding of a 'local' application and a published application. For example - Online meetings need to run locally for camera/video to work smoothly so opening a link to a meeting from a published application continues to be an occasional issue.
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Alternatives Considered
NetScaler
The only other SSL VPN type product I have used was Citrix Secure Gateway. Netscaler is a MUCH more feature filled product. CSG was a free add on to older versions of Citrix Metaframe and XenApp and was specifically just used for securing Citrix infrastructure. Netscaler excels in securing Citrix but can also be used to secure shared apps of all kinds regardless of how they are published. I did do a test run on 2X's product which did include a secure gateway but then base 2X product was not really comparable to Citrix so did not go too far with it.
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Alludo
Compared to other offerings, including Citrix and MS plain RDS - this product provides a different level of experience. Its load balancing capabilities are simple to roll out, and an entire farm can be up and running in hours, NOT days. Its OS independence and minimum resource usage, along with its RDS server optimization policies, make it very resource efficient.
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Scalability
NetScaler
No answers on this topic
Alludo
We added our Integrated Services Staff to parallels, with filtered, published applications - in a single afternoon. We added licensing and installed the desktop client software on multiple platforms both in the office and at remote sites all on the same day - and got remote users that had never used the product up and running - very quickly.
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Return on Investment
NetScaler
  • Our data is secure and protected from the outside world which is priceless.
  • It saves our business money as we can provide our clients with a safe and secure alternative to accessing their data remotely rather than having to take the more expensive route of travelling on-site to gather the data we need.
  • It gives us the opportunity to host on-site training using gated cloud based environments which enhances our business services. The ability to easily change access information, such as a password, after administering a training course gives us the flexibility we need to provide and subsequently restrict access to our training environments to suit our needs.
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Alludo
  • Our customers have had dramatic cost decreases due to no longer needing IT departments to work with our software.
  • We've been able to charge more for our hosting services due to our customers saving money in the long run. Parallels Remote Application Server has more than paid for itself, and the increased income has gone right back into the business.
  • Both our customers and our company have benefited from this transition.
Read full review
ScreenShots

Parallels RAS Screenshots

Screenshot of Parallels RAS supports on-premises, private and public cloud providers, including Azure and AWS, from a single console.Screenshot of The Parallels Web Client is accessible from any HTML5 browser or choose one of the many local clients.Screenshot of Parallels RAS integrates MSIX app attach for modern, dynamic app delivery.Screenshot of Parallels RAS supports multiple MFAs for security and flexibility.Screenshot of Integrated Let's Encrypt security certificates, to issue and manage certificates in Parallels RAS.Screenshot of Expression-based filtering makes it easier to set policies in the Parallels RAS.