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Parallels RAS

Parallels RAS

Overview

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,…

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Recent Reviews
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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

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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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
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Product Details

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

Screenshot of Parallels RAS supports on-premises, private and public cloud providers, including Azure and AWS, from a single console.Screenshot of The Parallels Web Client is accessible from any HTML5 browser or choose one of the many local clients.Screenshot of Parallels RAS integrates MSIX app attach for modern, dynamic app delivery.Screenshot of Parallels RAS supports multiple MFAs for security and flexibility.Screenshot of Integrated Let's Encrypt security certificates, to issue and manage certificates in Parallels RAS.Screenshot of Expression-based filtering makes it easier to set policies in the Parallels RAS.Screenshot of Visual reporting in the Parallels RAS Management Console is used to monitor and troubleshoot issues.

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 ...
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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,...
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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...
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Parallels RAS Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsWindows, Linux, Mac, Windows Server 2008R2, 2012/R2, 2016, 2022, Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, 11
Mobile ApplicationAndroid, Mobile Web, iPadOS
Supported LanguagesEnglish, German, Japanese, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean

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).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(243)

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(26-50 of 136)
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Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Our company has a very small IT support team (3 people), so being able to provide a solution that works well with thin clients saved them humongous amounts of time. No worries about desktop corruption, viruses, re-installs, nothing. Just turn it on and go. Problem? Turn it off and on, and go. And if there are any viruses or the like stored in the user profiles, our security team has direct access to those profiles to clear things out, and secure them. Centralizing our environment this way has cut the work to a tenth of what it would normally be.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Work from rollout was easy because of Parallels Remote Application Server scaling features
  • End-users are pleases with their experience
  • The ability to share pc desktops for certain users means they can get to their office devices with ease
Ryan Snelson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
  • As a replacement for Citrix, the ROI is massive as its simpler but just as good at 90% of things
  • Time saved on the RDP management compared to the standard windows options is great
  • Does require a couple of servers to run and can be done on a DC which is a shame
Brandon Barrett | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
  • We find that we spend less time supporting remote users compared to other remote access solutions.
  • The licensing model, in some cases, makes it more affordable than competing solutions.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Our business objectives are non-profit which means that (low) IT costs are an important factor. The increase of license costs for Parallels Remote Application Server since "2x" is not easy to handle for us.
  • On the other hand, Parallels Remote Application Server is reliable and integrated, and standard procedure in our setting, so at the moment, we have no plans to change.
  • Any user can access our system from any of our 12 locations and also from outside of our locations with no loss of "look and feel."
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
  • The consultants are able to show any application to customers.
  • High end workstations are available to be accessed from home.
  • One single place to install an applications instead of being installed on every machine.
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Significantly cheaper than Citrix.
  • Overall administration is much easier than base MS RDP
  • Ease of access and documented network/firewall scenarios aid deployment
  • Made the transition to BYOD much easier
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Excellent Support at both the levels, Pre-sales and Post-sales.
  • RAS server can handle max 30-40 users. More users need to create another RAS server.
  • Some printing issues are observed which can slowdown application performance.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Our situation was a little odd. Before Parallels, we had a remote work solution that allowed for 10 users on at a time, and the service we were using was free as it was the end of the license and not updating/upgrading.
  • With Parallels, we went from paying $0 to $5000 (over three years) and from 10 users to 25. Depending on how you look at that it's either a positive or negative impact. For us, it was positive as it allowed people to go remote during Covid.
  • Positive Impact: increased ability to work remotely for people that were sick or out of town.
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