Parallels Desktop is the best choice for running multiple OS on my Mac
I use Parallels Desktop to access Windows on my Mac. There are eLearning and local government design applications that require the …
Starting at $49.99 per license
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What is Parallels Desktop?
Parallels Desktop is a virtual user session solution built to run Windows on Macintosh computers without rebooting. It is designed for OS X Yosemite with one-click tuning.
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Popular Features
- File transfer (23)9.898%
- Screen sharing (9)9.090%
- Access to sleeping/powered-off computers (10)8.787%
- Centralized management dashboard (11)8.585%
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
Parallels Desktop 16
$49.99
On Premise
per license
Parallels Desktop Pro Edition
$49.99
On Premise
per license/per year
Parallels Desktop
$79.99
On Premise
per license
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Product Demos
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac - VM Explorer Demo
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Product Details
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What is Parallels Desktop?
Parallels Desktop Video
How to Run Windows on Mac : Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop Technical Details
| Deployment Types | On-premise |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Windows, Linux, Mac |
| Mobile Application | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Parallels Desktop is a virtual user session solution built to run Windows on Macintosh computers without rebooting. It is designed for OS X Yosemite with one-click tuning.
Reviewers rate File transfer highest, with a score of 9.8.
The most common users of Parallels Desktop are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Reviews and Ratings
(84)Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(1-25 of 30)Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
- The cost of the Parallel Desktop licence is much less than the cost of a dedicated Windows machine and I can work all on one device.
March 27, 2024
Experience Parallels Desktop
- help to user
- easy to use
- negative the cost
March 26, 2024
Ultimate Decision Yes or No? YES!
- useful tool i use it every day.
- negative? I mean the learning aspect in transitioning from strictly being a MacBook Pro user to learning Microsoft platform, which I have never used before, but now I am learning it on my own, but there could be a guide and some kind of way because it's like learning to walk again.
- Other than that, it's working out pretty well for me. I like it and it's definitely worth the money. I mean there's solutions out there that they're charging $1200 a year for that aren't worth five dollars. I have no problem with this platform whatsoever..
February 22, 2024
Desktop virtualization with power and ease.
- Supported administrations moved to an all Apple environment.
- Reduced the need to run the application servers for low use applications.
January 22, 2024
Parallels Desktop saved me from buying another computer
- Parallels Desktop saved me from having to purchase a separate machine.
- Allowing me to use one device to work within two environments is much more efficient.
- The investment in this software has paid off already in the savings of not needing multiple computers.
January 18, 2024
Parallels Desktop - The Best Virtual Machine Software for Mac
- Avoid extra costs: majority of users have a Mac, so if they needed to dod something that is Windows related, it will require to users have an extra computer to do that tasks, and this have a lot of costs
- Developers have more concerns how websites behaves on Windows only browsers, which increased the satisfaction of users
- The cost versus benefit is definitely in the users' favor - the licensing terms for simple desktop usage are very generous, and the business impact is enormous, being able to seamlessly jump from one OS to the other without dealing with multiple physical VMs or cloud remote sessions.
January 16, 2024
Parallels Desktop saved me from buying a PC... AWESOME!
- ROI was instant as Parallels Desktop is less than Mac's terminal program.
- ROI was instant again as Toad was not available on Mac at the time.
- MS Access is PC only and I did not have to buy a PC so...
- Inversion is minimum, for a great productivity improvement.
- Allows for experimental use of other OS platforms, while still running your current software base.
- User satisfaction as it allows to choose their platform of preference regarding the software they need to run.
January 10, 2024
Parallels Desktop Review on a MacBook Pro M3 Max
- 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
January 10, 2024
Superb software for cross environment compatibility
- Has saved the company money by not having to invest in several machines
- Updates for new Mac OS is superb which saves time and money when upgrading machines
- Customers are always impressed when they see full control of all aspects of my work from one machine.
March 21, 2022
If you need to run Windows Apps and are Mac User, buy Parallels. Best decision you can make.
- It has allowed us to keep customers and keep them happy.
- It has allowed me to keep my current computer.
- It has made it possible for me to experience our app the way all customers see it without having to switch machines.
December 20, 2021
Works if you need it. Will make your MacBook an inferno.
- We needed to run the best-in-class technical writing software, and the only way to do that on a Mac was through something like Parallels [Desktop].
- [It] allowed us to run the necessary software without purchasing PCs, which would be a big overhaul for security and company processes.
November 10, 2021
Best Application of Virtual Machine for MacOS
- Little bit expensive but it has great price/performance deal
- Gives possibility for many OS at same time on 1 device
- Great option for secure files and check suspicious file check
November 02, 2021
Parallels give you power, functionality and a smooth interface for all your desktop virtualization needs
- Savings of tens of thousands in not having to buy multiple computers
- Great sense of security when testing potentially dangerous software
- Allows our organization to maintain access to state systems without downgrading the computer experience.
November 02, 2021
Parallels Desktop solve numerous issue for MAC users
- Clearly much cheaper than purchasing a 2nd machine to run Windows on
- Allows me to work faster with out have to move files from a machine/Drive to another
- Annual subscription model is a bit cumbersome to renew - would rather just pay a one time flat fee
Score 1 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
- Due to lack of support, Parallels has had a very costly toll on our business when it stops working.
- Allowed us to easily test on a wide variety of operating systems.
- Allowed use of PC apps on MacBook Pro laptops without having to purchase PC hardware.
- Efficient, easy setup and installation, and easily transfer files between host and virtualized operating systems.
January 24, 2020
Life Saver
- It has allowed me to save time because I've been able to use the same accounting software on Desktop that I was using online.
- This sounds trite, but it's truly saved my sanity. If I had to switch over to a new accounting system, I really don't know what I'd do. Parallels has saved my sanity because I can run Windows on my Mac.
January 17, 2020
Parallels for Windows Browser Testing
- Saves time testing browsers
- Cheaper than Browserstack for Windows-only browser testing
- Offline browser testing
January 16, 2020
Parallels is an excellent choice for local Virtual Machines
- Reduce the need for additional systems
- Reduce the need for network VMs
- Speed up coding and testing
October 31, 2019
Parallels Lets Your Users Dump Windows with Coherence Mode
- Parallels has enabled us to move to MacOS for some of our roles, and those users couldn't be happier. Even though they are still using Windows under the covers, Continuity Mode abstracts that away, and users feel like they never have to leave MacOS.
- We often don't need most of the features that Parallels offers, and so, it doesn't always feel like money well spent. Parallels would do well to consider additional price points to help justify its cost versus free alternatives.
- Parallels struggles to justify why users should upgrade alongside the yearly MacOS upgrade. Screenshots and email integration are amongst the headlining features this year. Yawn.
- It has greatly reduced the amount that we were spending on separate machines. Now having one Mac is enough to run Windows, Mac and Linux all in one machine.
- I have a reason to believe that it's much easier for IT to set someone up on Parallels Desktop than VMWare or Virtual Box and users are significantly happier with the former option.
November 06, 2018
Virtual Software Solution That really Exists
- It has saved us money by having to buy less hardware
- Gave our users flexibility and choice
- Made us platform agnostic
September 11, 2018
Parallels Desktop - The best choice for virtual machines on Mac
- Parallels has allowed myself and other Mac users to continue using our specialized Windows-only software without the need of multiple computers. This definitely cuts down on costs.