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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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Awards

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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

(51-75 of 113)
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Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
As stated in previous answers our company had a goal of being 100% cloud based. We no longer have a data center, users can use less expensive and more secure devices like Chromebooks and still access everything they need to perform their daily duties. No other alternative gave us this flexibility. Other products tested that had a web based interface still required some type of client software to be installed on a Windows or Mac device to allow full functionality.
March 30, 2021

Benefits of Parallels

Joe Castle | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
When we moved away from out previous VPN solution, all employees had to do was log into a web page and accept a push prompt on their phone. No more hassling with VPN clients or losing user productivity if they didn't have their laptops with them.
Waqas Anjum Akram Javid | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
Parallels RAS allows organizations to offer to telework, increasing employee satisfaction and talent retention. A seamless virtual workspace experience positively influences employees’ assessment of both the company and their jobs. Flexible hours are a plus for many employees, allowing them to take care of their family without decreasing their output at work.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
The HTML5 not only offers a richer content for mobile users, it also provide an agentless access for desktop users who are using public PC which does not have agent or client software installed.
Clint Rankin | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Our organization has benefited in the sense that employees can access what they need from really any device out there. Windows computer, Windows laptop, Macbook, iPhone, Android or tablet. The experience is always the same and just works. There's not much if anything the end-user needs to do other than just going to a website and logging in. Simple.
Jason Chafin | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use Parallels on a wide variety of devices and operating systems, which has given doctors the flexibility of using their preferred. I have some doctors using Parallels on Windows desktops and laptops, while I have others remotely accessing our servers using their MacBook or iPad. Parallels seems to work well on whatever device works best for the staff member using it.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use it primarily for sales demos. Prospective clients are always impressed by the speed and seamless integration with mobile products. It still has some limitations with copy/paste that have prevented us from rolling it out to most users. But for the use cases where it works, it's fast easy and simple which is exactly the way we like it.
Jorge Acopa Galera | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
People in our work enviroment love to have acces to our work resources in such an easy way like the HTML5 client, so they can just open the browser and write our work URL, put their credentials and get ready to work on their own devices. iOS client works great also and it is very responsive, it's easy to use and configure to get it up and running.
Andreas Hermann | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We don't use the HTML5 browser because for most of our costumers our platform is their main application. So they install the full featured client. iOS and Android works well, but only to access the system to have a quick look at some data, not for really working.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We provide applications via iPad, Android tablet, phone, and web browser to our users. This mobile and web flexibility has allowed us to keep providing access to LAN-only apps to users displaced from the office by the COVID-19 outbreak and enabled us to go from office-based to home-based in under two days.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I have access to Parallels for some critical apps. I am a mac user and the applications cannot be installed locally for me. Whenever I need to access these apps, RAS is my tool to get there. When I am on call or not home with a PC, I can easily open the application from my phone and get the job done quickly and easily with the mobile app. It is a security blanket. Otherwise, I would need to keep a PC with me wherever I go.
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