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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

(242)

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 113)
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Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Users with no administrative rights to their devices can easily use HTML5 option to gain access this is a critical solution for user with restricted access. The Parallels client has evolved and improved greatly and over the years and provide a smooth and uniform experience regardless of the underlying operating system.
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
While the added HTML5 functionality is a bonus when quick access is needed, in our configurations we mainly rely on the full client solution to provide a seamless deployment of the applications. On mobile devices, the HTML5 option does provide a quick solution to work "on the go". If the HTML5 option ever supports more hardware passthrough option we will probably use it more extensively
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We have users both on windows and mac across many different browser Edge , Chrome , Firefox , Safari. HTML5 support allowed every user despite what device and browser that they were on to just connect and begin working without hassle of hand holding or installing plugins. Users were able to just visit the link and start work
Marzieh Hooshmand | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It is a good and reassuring feeling to be able to do the company's projects and work remotely without the need to install a special software or application. Personally, I don't want to install different software and I prefer the web application.
September 15, 2022

Does what it needs to do.

Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
As our organization needs to distribute apps to a large and varied user base that may or may not have the ability to install a thin or fat client on their devices, the HTML5 gateway is probably the most common way our end-users use Parallels. The speed is adequate, and most important of all for us, printing works extremely well with the 2X Universal Printer. Some users with more complex use cases that require advanced functions like mapping local drives can use the client as uploading files individually to the remote session host is not very viable when you have 300+ files to upload at once.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Enabled access to Windows-based desktop services over Windows, Linux, Chrome, Android, and iOS devices in a seamless manner. HTML5 browser client is not a commonly used service due to the limitations of the browser.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We benefited from HTML5 support by allowing our iPad users that do in-person customer service to access an important application they couldn't reach before. It saved them from having to call another team when they needed this information.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I am part of a team responsible for maintaining our servers. I cannot tell you how many times we had servers get issues while I am on the train, or driving, or otherwise away from my laptop. Being able to pull out my phone and rdp into any server from the side of the road has been a life saver.
Pavel Gavronsky | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
The primary user interface in our organization is Parallels PC Client, however in several cases the HTML5 access has also been used.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
The ability to work strictly in the browser via HTML 5 means a lot because, in most organizations, users do not get to install the client. We often roll it out in HTML5. It works great no matter what device and the modern browser are used as the experience is very "uniform" across devices.
Ryan Snelson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
As a managed service provider with a limited staff, it means that we might have situations where we need to do work on the go. The HTML5 portal means we can quickly and securely access our required servers without wondering what else is on the machine. It's a product that really put ease and security at the heart of its build, and you can tell.
Brandon Barrett | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
The flexibility in accessing the system from any platform, in particular the use of the HTML5 browser has allowed users to be productive in situations where they normally wouldn't be. Whether they are at home on a computer that they've don't normally use for work or away from the office and need to access their corporate applications from an iPad or mobile phone, they are able to do so with little or no assistance from IT.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
We used the HTML5 client for testing only. It allowed our engineers to verify systems were working as designed from a variety of platforms without the hassle of installing software. We had a few users who used the HTML5 client, but most used the full (installed) client on Windows or Mac.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Corona made home office use necessary. Parallels Remote Application Server offers the HTML5-Gateway, so we were able to send users home and keep them connected without any installations or upgrades. Use on iOS or Android devices is not frequent but works well when needed.
iain Stephen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use Parallels Remote Application Server on a wide variety of devices—Windows PCS, Windows laptops, Microsoft Surface products, various iOS devices (iPads, iPhones), and Android tablets and phones. We have found that for the most part, the experience is the same regardless of the product being used, which keeps it simple for the end-users, and as a result, is simple for support as well.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Its mobile apps are convenient but don't always translate to a great user experience as some things like remoting into your pc from your phone can be difficult to navigate. Its cross-platform hardware capability is also a great feature in today's work environment with the proliferation of BYOD
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