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Parallels Desktop for Mac

Parallels Desktop for Mac

Overview

What is Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Parallels® 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.

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Learn from top reviewers

Outstanding.

Rating: 10 out of 10
April 17, 2025
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
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 fam...
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Verified user
Administrator
Parallels Desktop for Mac16 years of experience

Parallels Desktop Has No Equal

Rating: 10 out of 10
July 3, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
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 Wind...
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Verified user
Team Lead
Parallels Desktop for Mac10 years of experience

Parallels for Mac.

Rating: 8 out of 10
June 21, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
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 a...
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Verified user
Professional

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

Rating: 10 out of 10
January 16, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
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 standa...
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Eddie Galvez
Director - Engineering
VP
Cloud Software Group
Parallels Desktop for Mac8 years of experience

Parallels Desktop great tool for Mac users running only Windows softwareq

Rating: 10 out of 10
January 10, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
Parallels desktop is installed for selected individuals using Mac computers and who also need to have access to software that is only developed for Windows OS (or in some inst...
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Jose Almiñana
Manager - Information Technology
SAP Solution Architect
Ebro Foods S.A
Parallels Desktop for Mac3 years of experience
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

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Pricing

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Parallels Desktop Standard Edition

$99.99

On Premise
per year

Mac App Store

$99.99

On Premise
per year

Parallels Desktop Pro Edition

$119.99

On Premise
per year

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.parallels.com/products/desk…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $99.99 per year
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Product Details

What is Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Parallels® 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.


The application's 3D performance can fuel demanding graphical applications, games, and a wide array of OSes, including Windows and Linux VMs.


As a subscription license bonus, Parallels Toolbox offers 40+ practical tools to simplify everyday tasks like recording the screen, cleaning the drive, taking screenshots, or downloading a video.


Parallels Desktop for Mac Features

Application Virtualization Features

  • Supported: Application support
  • Supported: Ease of deployment
  • Supported: Security

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).

Parallels Desktop for Mac Videos

Windows on a Mac with Parallels Desktop 19
Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac Business Edition

Parallels Desktop for Mac Integrations

Parallels Desktop for Mac Competitors

Parallels Desktop for Mac Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows, Linux, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Parallels Desktop for Mac Downloadables

Frequently Asked Questions

Parallels® 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.

Parallels Desktop for Mac starts at $99.99.

Oracle VM VirtualBox, VMware Fusion, and CrossOver are common alternatives for Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Reviewers rate Ease of deployment and Security highest, with a score of 9.4.

The most common users of Parallels Desktop for Mac are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews From Top Reviewers

View all reviews
(1-5 of 33)

Outstanding.

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
April 17, 2025
Verified User
Administrator in Other
Retail Company, 11-50 employees
Vetted Review
Verified User
Parallels Desktop for Mac
16 years of experience
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.

Parallels for Mac.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized
June 21, 2024
Verified User
Professional in Information Technology
Financial Services Company, 10,001+ employees
Vetted Review
Verified User
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.

Parallels Desktop Has No Equal

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
July 03, 2024
Verified User
Team Lead in Information Technology
Non-profit Organization Management Company, 1001-5000 employees
Vetted Review
Verified User
Parallels Desktop for Mac
10 years of experience
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"

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

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
January 16, 2024
EG
Eddie Galvez
VP
Cloud Software Group (Computer Software, 1001-5000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
Parallels Desktop for Mac
8 years of experience
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.

Parallels Desktop great tool for Mac users running only Windows softwareq

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
January 10, 2024
JA
Jose Almiñana
SAP Solution Architect
Ebro Foods S.A (Consumer Goods, 5001-10,000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
Parallels Desktop for Mac
3 years of experience
View profile
Pros
  • Installation process is clean and simple
  • The "Coherence" option allows for seamless user interface integration with Mac OS
  • Sharing files across the different partitions is transparent for the user
Cons
  • Windows partition requires often reboot, as some user interface features have issues
  • Updates to newer version require additional licensing
  • No additional suggestions
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