Parallels Desktop for Mac Reviews and Ratings

Rating: 9 out of 10

Score

9 out of 10

Community insights

TrustRadius Insights for Parallels Desktop for Mac are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.

Pros

Fast Loading and Running: Users have commented positively on the swift loading and operation of Windows on Parallels Desktop, noting it surpasses the speed experienced on a PC.

Seamless Multitasking: Reviewers appreciate the ease of accessing documents and applications within the virtual environment, enabling smooth multitasking without interruptions.

Coherence Mode Integration: Many users value the Coherence mode feature for seamlessly merging Windows applications with the Mac system, providing a cohesive user experience that enhances productivity.

Efficient File Sharing: Users commend Parallels Desktop for its easy file sharing capabilities between virtualized desktops and host systems, offering features like copy-and-paste functionality and drag-and-drop options.

Reviews

34 Reviews

Solid easy to use VM product

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

August 29, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We have some software that requires the Windows operating system for various enterprise activities. We used to put a separate PC on people's desks, then we moved to a bank of VMs that people could remote into, but with the release and support of Apple Silicon by Parallels, we are able to simply use a local virtual machine on macOS machines to simple and easily cover that intermittent need. This requirement covers several hundred endpoints and thus results in a fairly substantial savings of capital expenditures.

Pros

Immediate access to needed Windows apps
On demand Windows instance without needing to spin up a remote VM
Integrates access to both platforms in one unit
Easy to install and maintain
Central vendor console for licensing
Easily managed with existing enterprise tools

Cons

Configuration dialogs could use some embedded help
ARM incompatibility is sometimes a problem (this is more a Windows issue than Parallels)
USB passthrough is sometimes quirky

Likelihood to Recommend

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.

Bruce Carter

Senior Systems Engineer in Information Technology at University of Notre Dame (5001-10,000 employees)

Vetted Review

6 years of experience

Verified on LinkedIn

Outstanding.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

April 17, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Parallels Desktop for Mac to run Windows 10, allowing QuickBooks Desktop to run on my Mac. This allows other accounting professionals to use QBs in a format they are familiar with, versus QB for Mac. Creates efficiency and workflow.

Pros

Windows 10.
Quickbooks Desktop.
Operates smoothly without crashing.
Mirrors my Mac desktop.

Cons

Correct the Quit Parallels function. It often stalls and freezes.
The program is a bit slow when utilizing Logmein remotely.

Likelihood to Recommend

Parallels is super compelling for Apple-based businesses that require the Microsoft platform for certain functions and workflows. I have been using it for years.

Verified User

Administrator (11-50 employees)

Vetted Review

16 years of experience

Parallels Desktop Has No Equal

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

July 3, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use it to help facilitate my job in a windows environment. I'm able to have Parallels running windows - which then has my admin tools (which in most cases are built for Windows only). It makes it so I don't have to do RDPs to other desktops. Less windows equals more productivity.

Pros

Not a memory hog
add on tools that it includes
seamless windows, coherence mode

Cons

Configuration options need to be more clear
navigation has gotten better but still needs some improvements
easier to get rid of "dead vms"

Likelihood to Recommend

Using it to maintain a Windows network but while using a mac is the best of both worlds. It helps facilitate my work so I don't have to have 100 windows open, extra desktops running (windows RDP). I'm able to seamlessly navigate between windows and mac without breaking a stride.

Not so much a parallels knock but for the newer macs and parallels, you need to use Windows ARM, which is a version that doesn't support a lot of functions for windows (AD tools).

Verified User

Team Lead in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)

Vetted Review

10 years of experience

Parallels for Mac.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Incentivized

June 21, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Parallel is an excellent tool for using the Windows operating system on an iOS / Mac Machine. It is a breeze to use this tool. So many software programs are just for Windows and cannot be used on a Mac. With a dual operating system, we need to restart the machine and re-boot it in the windows on the Mac; with the Parallels, the problem is significantly resolved, as it just opens up inside the Mac like a regular program. It helps with coding, gaming, and other purposes.

Pros

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.

Cons

The price is very expensive. For small businesses and individuals this could be steep.
Sometimes there are integration and interfacing issues.
This tool's memory usage is high at times, which lowers the Mac's power and availability.

Likelihood to Recommend

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.

Verified User

Professional in Information Technology (10,001+ employees)

Vetted Review

Parallels Desktop is the best choice for running multiple OS on my Mac

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

March 27, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Parallels Desktop to access Windows on my Mac. There are eLearning and local government design applications that require the exclusive use of the Windows OS and this has helped me to not need to have two computers, but work on one machine with access to both operating systems. Additionally, on occasions there are colleagues who require support on their computers and I can replicate the problem they may have on the operating system they are running in a friendly and very fast way.

Pros

Windows loads and runs even faster than on a PC
I can access any OS from within my macOS session.
It does not consume too many resources and I can multitask.

Cons

The use of external storage devices are always seen as local hard disks and this makes it difficult to manage certain mobile information.
The weight of the Windows load files are very large and it is like having a complete computer with the OS loaded on the hard disk of my local machine.

Likelihood to Recommend

It is appropriate when there are applications that only run on Windows and our computer is a Mac; for example, some online courseware or computer-assisted translation tools.

Eduardo Ponce de León

Managing Director in Corporate at Webreria (11-50 employees)

Vetted Review

3 years of experience

View profile

Experience Parallels Desktop

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

March 27, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Parallels Desktop to run applications on windows. There have been only a few times that Parallels has stopped and I have had to restart it, otherwise I can say that it has good performance and meets my needs for using Windows-based applications like Microsoft project.I liked the experience with Parallels.

Pros

virtualization
easy access to documents
easy access to apps

Cons

interface
price
support

Likelihood to Recommend

Verified User

Analyst in Information Technology (51-200 employees)

Vetted Review

3 years of experience

Ultimate Decision Yes or No? YES!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

March 26, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Parallels solution simplifies the process of getting windows 11 on my Macbook pro! I have recently joined the Microsoft ISV program but to run windows 11 i needed to find a way to use windows 11 on my Macbook pro. I search online and i found Parallels, I was a skeptic at first but then i did some reach and attempted to download it by myself on other reddit user knowledge and NOTHING worked. I went back to Parallels & pulled the trigger. Needless to say I dont even use safari anymore! Microsofts edge provides coupons for every website i visit and if i want to switch back to Mac i just click on the bottom right of the screen to go back to Mac. Its like having two computers on 1 now thanks to Parallels. along with the platform the staff are great additions to their solution! they are extremely supportive as well as knowledgeable in not just their platform but the overall market in the software development industry! I highly recommend their solutions and their employees. I RARELY give 10 thumbs up but i'll give it to this team!

Pros

Gives me access to Windows 11
it's extremely responsive, very fast.
user friendly
has a great layout
overall look feel and use cases are highly recommended by me!

Cons

Maybe an interactive tutorial video for new users to click along with the video for the video to continue as a teach guide, learning windows was difficult at first!
Ability to find it online as the tool i needed to use rather than attempting to download malware to use windows 11 from the web.
maybe a built in chatbot for when you're using parallels you can ask questions and assist with tasks in the platform solution.

Likelihood to Recommend

Ive only had the solution for 2 months and i'am hooked and i have more to explore and learn about this solution as well as the other resources they have for me to utilize. I think it was pretty well developed with the user in mind the entire time!

Joshua O'Hazza

Founder & CEO in Corporate at WE APPIT LLC (1-10 employees)

Vetted Review

20 years of experience

View profile

Parallels Desktop saved me from buying another computer

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

January 22, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

In our team, we prefer using MacBooks for the vast majority of our work. However, there are a few things here and there that require us to work within a Windows environment. In these specific cases, we use Parallels Desktop to access a virtual Windows installation and use the software we need to get our work done efficiently all on one machine.

Pros

Runs Windows in a virtual environment
Does not take up a lot of additional overhead
Runs fast and seamless
Easy to setup and use

Cons

There are a lot of configuration options that can seem overwhelming.
Some features are not clearly explained.
Frequent updates sometimes interrupt workflow.

Likelihood to Recommend

From my perspective, Parallels Desktop is particularly well suited for users who need the flexibility of working within MacOS and Windows all on the same machine without relying on a remote desktop connection. Having the virtual environment fully contained on the machine frees you from relying on a stable internet connection or the availability of a remote machine. For those people who do depend on Windows primarily, then this will not offer as much of a benefit.

Verified User

Director in Marketing (51-200 employees)

Vetted Review

3 years of experience

Parallels Desktop - The Best Virtual Machine Software for Mac

Rating: 8 out of 10

Incentivized

January 18, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Parallels Desktop is used in our organization to allow Mac users to run Windows-only applications.

To support Internet Explorer 11 websites, we need to take into consideration the development and testing/validation of how our websites behave to customers when they have an Internet Explorer browser. This is the main use case that we use.

The other use case is to support some old Asp.net applications that needs certain versions of Windows, and with a majority of developers being Mac users, is the only option to do that.

Pros

Easy to use: even on first interaction, users feel that is really intuitive how can be used
Good support
Fast and reliable comparing to other tools

Cons

For our company use case, the only thing that can suggest to improve on Parallels is to improve a little bit more memory consumption - when lots of processes are running on the host machine, it can be noticed that memory consumption is a little bit higher than what is desired, which is understandable, since is virtualization

Likelihood to Recommend

Scenarios where Parallels is great:

- test software across multiple platforms for Mac users, with a major focus on Windows

- have the possibility of running Windows-only applications when the user is a Mac user

- support old Windows applications in Windows legacy frameworks

Scenarios that are not the best scenario

- not suitable for most recent games

- do tasks that demand hardware performance, specially GPU

Verified User

Professional in Engineering (201-500 employees)

Vetted Review

3 years of experience

Parallels - what Apple would build if it did virtualization on Mac!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

January 16, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Parallels are used to run VMs locally on MacBook developer machines - most commonly to run Windows applications or to check bugs and code pertaining to Windows from the standard-issued MacBooks. This is important as, while development productivity is highest using MacBooks, our customers are more often using the UI tools on Windows for authoring tasks.

Pros

Installs new VMs including OS configuration.
Integrates mac and windows seamlessly.
It can be configured to run a VM "the old-fashioned way" or simply let you run applications no matter the OS.

Cons

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.

Likelihood to Recommend

I often get asked, why not the "free" stuff (VirtualBox), and/or why not VMWare. VirtualBox, etc. are not as performant for interactive usage. I think they are fine for small applications, perhaps some enterprise app usage, but for developers, it's not good enough. VMWare has become too enterprisey and lacks some of the user-friendly stuff that Parallels focuses on. Ultimately, for developer types running OSes for deep tasks, Parallels is unrivaled.

Eddie Galvez

VP in Engineering at Cloud Software Group (1001-5000 employees)

Vetted Review

8 years of experience

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Ultimate Decision Yes or No? YES!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

March 26, 2024

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Pros

Gives me access to Windows 11
it's extremely responsive, very fast.
user friendly
has a great layout
overall look feel and use cases are highly recommended by me!

Cons

Maybe an interactive tutorial video for new users to click along with the video for the video to continue as a teach guide, learning windows was difficult at first!
Ability to find it online as the tool i needed to use rather than attempting to download malware to use windows 11 from the web.
maybe a built in chatbot for when you're using parallels you can ask questions and assist with tasks in the platform solution.

Likelihood to Recommend

Joshua O'Hazza

Founder & CEO in Corporate at WE APPIT LLC (1-10 employees)

Vetted Review

20 years of experience

View profile