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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Google Drive

    Score8.7 out of 10
    N/AGoogle Drive is a cloud file storage, synchronization, and collaboration platform and service, that features Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for document editing and presentation.

    $6

    per month

    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
    Google DriveParallels Desktop for Mac
    Editions & Modules
    Basic
    $6.00
    per month
    Business
    $12.00
    per month
    Enterprise
    Contact Vendor for Quote
    per month
    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
    Google DriveParallels Desktop for Mac
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsDiscounts are available for students, educators, and non profit organizations.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Google DriveParallels Desktop for Mac
    Considered Both Products
    Google
    Chose Google Drive
    We use Madcap for most writing, and Google Drive when we can. Madcap allows you to write and store a library of documents in its platform. It has a multitude of technical writing features: snippets, user guide building, variables. It's just impossible to collaborate with it. It …
    Incentivized
    Parallels
    Chose Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Parallels provides what we need at a reasonable cost. VMware was a bit pricier, and Parallels has more of a "Mac-like" feel for the application itself. UTM and Crossover were a bit too "hacker-ish" for basic end users that just want to pop in and out of windows when …
    Incentivized
    Chose Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Prior to using Parallels, I ran under Boot Camp. Of course, the OS runs just fine that way, but having to power down and back up each time I wanted to switch environments just wasn't working for me. That's what sent me looking for another solution. I tried Oracle VM VirtualBox, …
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    99%
    Would buy again
    120 Answers
    96%
    Would buy again
    25 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    99%
    Delivers good value for the price
    114 Answers
    96%
    Delivers good value for the price
    24 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    97%
    Happy with the feature set
    117 Answers
    96%
    Happy with the feature set
    25 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    95%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    81 Answers
    96%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    22 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    99%
    Implementation went as expected
    93 Answers
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    23 Answers
    Features
    Google DriveParallels Desktop for Mac
    File Sharing & Management
    Comparison of File Sharing & Management features of Google Drive and Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    Google Drive
    8.4
    221 Ratings
    0% above category average
    Parallels Desktop for Mac
    -
    Ratings
    Versioning8.7195 Ratings00 Ratings
    Video files7.8190 Ratings00 Ratings
    Audio files8.3184 Ratings00 Ratings
    Document collaboration9.0218 Ratings00 Ratings
    Access control8.0216 Ratings00 Ratings
    File search8.1220 Ratings00 Ratings
    Device sync8.9205 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cloud Storage Security & Administration
    Comparison of Cloud Storage Security & Administration features of Google Drive and Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    Google Drive
    8.6
    215 Ratings
    1% below category average
    Parallels Desktop for Mac
    -
    Ratings
    User and role management9.0202 Ratings00 Ratings
    File organization8.0213 Ratings00 Ratings
    Device management8.799 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cloud Storage Platform
    Comparison of Cloud Storage Platform features of Google Drive and Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    Google Drive
    8.9
    214 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Parallels Desktop for Mac
    -
    Ratings
    Performance9.2212 Ratings00 Ratings
    Reliability9.0214 Ratings00 Ratings
    Storage Reports8.587 Ratings00 Ratings
    Application Virtualization
    Comparison of Application Virtualization features of Google Drive and Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    Google Drive
    -
    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
    Google DriveParallels Desktop for Mac
    Small Businesses
    IDrive Online Backup and Object Storage e2
    Score9.1 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    Apple iCloud
    Score8.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    ownCloud
    Score9.2 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Google DriveParallels Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.5
    (224 ratings)
    8.8
    (35 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (6 ratings)
    9.8
    (5 ratings)
    Usability
    8.8
    (54 ratings)
    9.6
    (7 ratings)
    Availability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Performance
    9.0
    (7 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    1.0
    (49 ratings)
    9.0
    (8 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    8.0
    (3 ratings)
    10.0
    (4 ratings)
    Configurability
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    5.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Google DriveParallels Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Google
    It is possible to share files and folders with up to 200 email addresses, as well as with persons outside the company.Use the drop-down arrow to select who may see, comment on, or change the file or folder before sending out an invitation.I am very much impressed with this feature
    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
    • Any user with access can store a file using different platforms like Android, IOS, Windows, or Ubuntu (Desktop version)
    • You can share files with any number of different users with different access rights or you can even keep it public by providing the access link and assign different rights for public access
    • You can open Excel/Word files using google software Sheets/Docs in the browser environment without having to install software like Microsoft Office etc on your Windows OS
    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
    • Having a little bit more control and clarity over what is shared and how it is shared would be a useful improvement.
    • Could be more robust and flexible as far as assigning restrictions.
    • Google Sheets could be enhanced because Excel really is not there yet as a product with equal capabilities as there are still quite a few limitations to the functionality.
    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
    It's perfect for me. It keeps things saved and is easy to remove items if needed. Also, I very much enjoy the formatting options. Along with the integrations it has for SSO. Overall, this is the most user friendly system I have ever come across.
    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
    It's easy enough to use for computer users of all ages and skill levels. I am an advanced user, and I think the hardest part might be showing someone how to download and set up the app on their device if they weren't too familiar with computers, but overall it is very easy to understand.
    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
    Reliability and Availability
    Google
    Always available
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    No answers on this topic
    Performance
    Google
    The documents load fairly quickly and also update in real time, especially given the fact that multiple people can be using it at once. The "Offline" feature works great to allow the user to make edits and access the document without access to the internet, and then sync changes later once they're back.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    Google
    It takes a few days for customer support to get back to you. Although, I have not had to use support too often. Once you get an email back, they are very thorough and work hard to fix the problem quickly. It is a really great resource and a great way to get the help you need if you're stuck. A phone call also works quickly but you have to call during specific times.
    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
    In-Person Training
    Google
    The effective google workspace using training that my organization received and was conducted by me (as a team lead of the ICT team) was mind-blowing and as a result, our staff is performing well in terms of using the application for their daily jobs than before. Now, in my institution, all teachers and all the administrative personnel are very much interested in cloud storage facilities, in previous my institution was afraid of losing all important documents in the cloud storage. But, after having received the training they are now realized that if anyone has only one google account then he or she can use 15GB of cloud storage freely and they are now happy because now it is not necessary for anyone to carry the traditional pen drive.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation Rating
    Google
    It's an extremely easy software to implement, once you sign up for a google account you automatically have access to google drive with a set amount of storage space. The business or Google Suite accounts have more storage space than a regular free account, but setting up and accessing google drive is very easy in both cases
    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
    In short, Google Drive is better for independent users who store a normal amount of stuff. OneDrive makes more sense for businesses and teams that are doing heavy-duty storage or large-scale syncing. Realistically, though, most users will fall somewhere in between the two, where either platform would meet their needs.
    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
    Scalability
    Google
    I have always been able to access
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Parallels
    No answers on this topic
    Return on Investment
    Google
    • It has given our operation remote capabilities
    • Easier to access and understand client's need through collaborative enviroment
    • availability to digital resources fast and easy
    • saved our operation hundreds of dollars in physical storage (both investment and maintenance)
    • our operation became easier for new staff to get onboard: small learning curve to use it
    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

    Google Drive Screenshots

    Screenshot of Google Drive PriorityScreenshot of Comment on Microsoft Files in Google DriveScreenshot of Shared drives

    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).