UnParallel data access and protection
When protecting organisational data and information you need a solution to allow users access without restricting their ability to perform …
Starting at $120 per year per user
View PricingOverview
What is Parallels RAS?
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,…
Recent Reviews
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
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.parallels.com/products/ras/…
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Starting price (does not include set up fee)
- $120 per year per user
Product Details
- About
- Integrations
- Competitors
- Tech Details
- Downloadables
- FAQs
What is Parallels RAS?
Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is a remote work solution that provides secure virtual access to business applications and desktops on any device or OS—from anywhere. The platform offers an agile, cloud-ready foundation and end-to-end security fueled by a centralized management console with granular policies. Companies can leverage on-premises, hybrid, or public cloud deployments and integrate with existing technology like Microsoft Azure and AWS. Parallels RAS aims to give organizations the flexibility, scalability, and IT agility to adapt to changing business needs. Parallels RAS offers a single, full-featured licensing model that includes 24/7 support and access to product training. The vendor states its key benefits include:
- User experience—work from anywhere, on any device.
- Enhanced data security and compliance—centralized management console with granular policies.
- IT agility and business readiness—flexible hosting solutions to scale and adapt.
- Total cost of ownership—supports BYOD and includes a simple licensing model.
- Always-on support—access to 24/7 support and training at no additional cost.
Parallels RAS Features
- Supported: Advanced access controls: Secures corporate data with a client group policy in the Parallels RAS Console. Centrally manages and controls access by user, group, or device.
- Supported: Multifactor authentication: Requires users to authentication access via two-factor or smart card authentication. Parallels RAS also integrates with third-party security solutions.
- Supported: Encryption protocols: Parallels RAS Secure Gateway supports SSL and FIPS 140-2 encryption, helping organizations adhere to data compliance policies such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
- Supported: Centralized monitoring: Transforms raw data into custom visual reports to show traffic and resource usage from network infrastructure. Centrally monitors day-to-day user activities.
Parallels RAS Screenshots
Parallels RAS Videos
This video shows how to deploy virtual apps and desktops via Parallels RAS in Azure by using Parallels RAS in the Azure Marketplace. This is a fast way to create a proof of concept (POC) or test environment.
This video demonstrates the steps an administrator takes within the Parallels RAS Console to successfully deliver services to end users via Amazon EC2.
Parallels RAS themes allow an organization to transform what the user sees when they access resources delivered via Parallels RAS. For example, custom branding (white labeling) can be applied, a custom URL can be set for the end user, and access can be locked down to specific ...
Show More MSIX app attach is an Azure Virtual Desktop feature. It provides application modernization, improves application lifecycle management, and reduces hardware footprint and IT management overhead by using fewer templates.
Parallels RAS brings MSIX app attach technology to RDSH,...
Show More Automated certificate management with Let's Encrypt integration.
Parallels RAS includes cloud cost-reduction capabilities, including autoscaling, power management, and automated image optimization. Parallels RAS adds more cost-reduction measures by extending cost-saving capabilities to storage.
When the virtual machine (VM) is not running...
Show More Parallels RAS Integrations
Parallels RAS Competitors
Parallels RAS Technical Details
| Deployment Types | On-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Windows, Linux, Mac, Windows Server 2008R2, 2012/R2, 2016, 2022, Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, 11 |
| Mobile Application | Android, Mobile Web, iPadOS |
| Supported Languages | English, German, Japanese, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean |
Parallels RAS Downloadables
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Parallels RAS starts at $120.
Citrix DaaS, VMware Horizon, and VMware Horizon Cloud Service on Microsoft Azure are common alternatives for Parallels RAS.
Reviewers rate Availability highest, with a score of 9.6.
The most common users of Parallels RAS are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
Comparisons
Compare with
Reviews and Ratings
(240)Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(1-2 of 2)Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
We are using Parallels to improve the performance of terminal Services for our users in our office in the United Kingdom, where they connect back to our office here in Massachusetts. Because of the connection between our offices, using normal Remote Desktop proved to be fairly slow for the users. Once we were able to overlay Parallels, they found their performance improved greatly.
- Allows Mac users to feel like they are working natively.
- Better usage on tablets or phones for Windows apps.
- Documentation is good but sometimes confusing.
- Installing certificates is difficult.
- Improves efficiency of staff.
- Improves morale.
Softgrid was great in its day but it was difficult to manage, and our applications that we were virtualizing were also more complicated. Parallels is more like a window into the software vs actually getting into the nuts and bolts of the software to allow the application to stream. But because applications have improved, an option like parallels now can support them vs a full virtualization of the app.
It's fairly easy, though I feel the documentation is a bit lacking. They seem to rely more on videos for implementation which are great when you have time to watch videos, but sometimes it's better to just have step by step documentation that you can work with. Aside from that, the basics are pretty intuitive so it's not bad.
We can now really use our ERP software on tablets, and not a half-assed implementation of it that requires bending and squishing to move around. With a keyboard attached, we now have a low-cost alternative to putting a laptop on the shop floor, or the ability to see certain screens from the web without writing a web interface.
I haven't really noticed any effect on using Parallels on ESXi vs using it on Hyper-V, but that maybe my use case just hasn't called for it.
We have been able to keep our ERP data locked down to our users just as if they had the application on their desktop and limit them to only the information they should be allowed to have. Since we aren't currently doing a front-facing app, security is a little simpler in our implementation.
15
These are employees primarily from the Customer Service, Remote Sales and Markering functions.
2
IT focused individuals with a good handle on Remote Desktop Server as well as software administration and security.
- Remote Performance
- Mobile Application availibility
- Remote stability
- Making a mobile application out of a client server application
- Improving application performance through Great Firewall of China
- VDI
- Application Security
Yes
We used to use Citrix XenApp for a while, but then that was purchased by Microsoft and discontinued. We also didn't have as much need for it after our ERP application was updated recently to remove a portion that caused profile issues.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Reputation
I had used the Parallels Desktop Mac software for many years prior so I already felt comfortable with the quality of products that they brought to the market.
I can't think of anything I would change.
- Implemented in-house
No
Change management was minimal
- Understanding some of the complexities of the server setup as far as IP and gateways went
- Online training
Just follow the implementation guidelines it really will vary depending on the scale of your implementation.
Some - we have done small customizations to the interface
Easy enough, and just enough to let users know they were successful in logging in and such.
No - we have not done any custom code
No
I don't think we purchased Premium Support
No
I can't recall any EXCEPTIONAL support calls, all were solid and helped us resolve whatever issues we had in a timely fashion.
- Remote Application Usage
- Printer Support
- Adding Applications
- Server Maintenance
Yes
The mobile interface works very well.
- Aptean IntuitiveERP
- Microsoft Office
- Custom Reporting Tools
No, we used Parallels ability to serve up these applications. There was very little difficulty with any of these applications being able to be used in the VDI environment.
- Single Signon
Follow the documentation, contact support if needed.
Price per seat.
No
Yes
No issues.
- Better performance
- Better performance and security
No
No
August 21, 2020
Amazordinary
Parallels RAS is used by all organizations. RAS has solved the deployment of client applications on local and remote end-users PCs and reduced the support requests on the IT department.
- Easy to deploy and manage.
- Simple licensing model.
- MSP cloud console to manage multi tenants.
- Partner with Google Cloud platform.
- Reduced the time of technical support.
- RAS Clients can work on low hardware specs and save the cost of hardware and OS upgrades.
- Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly XenApp) and Remote Desktop Services
Easy to deploy with good scalability and infrastructure requirements.
We don't use VDI, only application virtualization.
We have enabled HTML5 for some managers to access remotely through their iPads.
We are using Hyper-V in our organization.
Security and data protection is the top priority for all businesses. SSL and MFA have helped the organization to comply with ISO requirements.
1000
Insurance, retailers, Accounting, Service Providers
3
IT support, service desk
- Virtualizing applications
- Secure RDP to local PCs
- publishing of legacy applications on newer OS
- Publishing applications from remote PCs
- Publish Folders and Files
- Virtualize Linux based applications
- Install RAS SGW, PUB, RDSH on Linux servers
Not Sure
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
- Prior Experience with the Product
- Vendor Reputation
No comments
- Implemented in-house
No
Change management was minimal
- Didn't face issues
- Online training
No
No - we have not done any customization to the interface
No - we have not done any custom code
No
We had a case with support to install Parallels Client on HO thin Clients and the support team provided us with a customized script that did the job.
- Installing the system and adding roles
- Installing and configuring the HALB
- Publishing applications, Folders, etc...
- Filter based on MAC addresses
Yes
They provide a Mobile UI for Parallels Client
- None
- no
None
no