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
(26-50 of 139)Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
August 30, 2022
Simple to configure and use
We sell and support Sybiz ERP and Payroll software. We have Sybiz users who needed to upgrade their infrastructure but were put off by the projected costs. We configured our own Azure server with the Parallels image and now provide those resources to 12 client entities. We provide their users with published apps via the Parallels client. Our Azure server has 20 to 30 users connected most days.
We use this application to deploy our software to our customers. We publish the application using an Active Directory where our users are created. So, Only the usergroup with the name [Customer] is allowed to start the application of [Customer] When one of the customers decide to arrange their management to another customer, we easily add the other usergroup [Customer2] to also open the application of [customer]. In this scenario, a user connected to usergroup [Customer2] is having 2 desktop shortcuts. The application of [Customer] and the application of [Customer2].
August 17, 2022
A solid product for a good price, but support is mediocre
At first it was used as a Call Center application suite, so that our call center users could connect to their apps via thin clients, which worked very well and cut down the maintenance overhead for our support team. As we migrated more and more servers to AWS, we needed a way for some departments to run their apps at the proper speed, as the network connection between us and AWS was too slow to support the programs locally. Parallels became the go to for any apps that required heavy network traffic, as the Parallels app could be run in the same AWS region as the one hosting the app server, basically creating a local network in a remote location.
August 17, 2022
just work anywhere
Like many other organizations we often work at various locations. Additionally we moved our server infrastructure to a housing service provider. VPN connectivity was not an option for us and to avoid several security issues we decided to only allow terminal services when working on our financial or document management systems.
August 17, 2022
In our organization Parallels RAS allows users to access sensitive data with 2FA worldwide
Parallels RAS is in use in our company for several years. It is used together with DeenNeet DualShield Authentication server to provide 2FA secure access to those corporate servers which should not be exposed directly to the Internet due to sensitive data stored there.
Users are able to access the sensitive data from any point. Parallels's comprehensive server/feature management allows our IT department to be very flexible.
Users are able to access the sensitive data from any point. Parallels's comprehensive server/feature management allows our IT department to be very flexible.
August 12, 2022
Parallels Remote Application Server - it works every time!
We have different versions of certain applications that need to be available all at once - streaming these via Parallels Remote Application Server has provided the flexibility needed to meet our SLA. Additionally, certain web applications need a certain browser to work correctly and having the ability to force the browser to open the application has been invaluable to us.
August 12, 2022
Goodbye Citrix.... hello Parallels Remote Application Server
We use Parallels Remote Application Server in multiple ways. The first use is for our remote works, allowing them to secure access to our networks with little fuss. The biggest things for us are the ease of security and also the ease of access. It feels like a great combination of secure but simple. Sometimes simpler is better!
We use Parallels Remote Application Server internally and for multiple clients to provide an easy and secure remote access method for end users. It allows users with limited technical ability to be able to access secure corporate systems from a variety of different device types, usually with little to no setup assistance from a technician.
August 04, 2022
Parallels - The Good and the Bad
We use it as an alternative to RDP connections internally, and for clients who want to remote into their servers externally.
August 02, 2022
Parallels RAS saved our bacon
We used and advised clients to use it for centralized access to our general ledger software, line of business apps, and files.
July 30, 2022
Happy with Parallels Remote Application Server
We are an organisation with a central server system and 12 locations with about 110 users connecting via Parallels Remote Application Server (formerly "2x" when we started in 2005) over permanent VPN/IPSEC connections. Corona led to regular home office use, which Parallels Remote Application Server provided onboard via HTML5 (instant usability, no installation necessary). Our firewall provides an SSL-VPN-Client so that the Parallels-Client can be used in non-business environments, too. We also use the OpenVPN Connect client with an SSL-VPN-Configuration file provided by our firewall.
We use Parallels Remote Application Server to replace Citrix Servers and deliver a simple yet powerful tool to our end users for running published applications and accessing network resources from either mobile platforms or from other locations that are offsite. We found it simpler to get up and running and much less expensive than Citrix.
July 27, 2022
Parallels is awesome for what it is for
We use it as a remote access tool for users to access our resources away from the hospital. It gives them the ability to remote into their desktop as well as let us publish single apps instead of having to give access to the whole network. It combines those tools into one central interface that is pretty easy to learn.
One of our major clients uses Parallels Remote Application Server and has over 500+ end users. The software allowed simplified deployment and management of custom Apps including security group management and granular personalization based on user login. This addresses the problem of requiring each remote desktop server previously have non-standard apps installed with no standard build. It was previously a major headache when patch Tuesday came around. Parallels Remote Application Server solved that! We reviewed the customer's requirements both internal Lan-based customers and those working remotely We investigated the large number of out of the box and custom and often ageing applications and found that all of them were easily deployed and managed by Parallels.
July 18, 2022
Affordable product with optimal features
We are using the Parallels Remote Application Server to distribute an application that was decades old and we contribute to maintaining the application cause of the legacy nature. The Parallels Remote Application Server helps in situations where end-user support requirements are critical to the IT organization. We see the value of having ease of access to end users and applications at the same time
July 17, 2022
Give it a chance you will not be dissapointed!
Sharing Virtual Desktops and applications to consultants to be accessed anytime from everywhere. We have configured different authentication mechanisms and created a series of tools to show the API integration. Also have different use cases to show RDS and VDI. The reporting capabilities are also deployed for monitoring and KPI analysis.
We use Parallels Remote Application Server to deploy our billing solution to multiple users across our infrastructure. Parallels Remote Application Server allows us to launch the application by simply putting a shortcut on the end user's desktop that creates the remote connection and launches the application automatically. That allows for quick deployment to multiple computers and saves time and effort.
We currently deploy Parallels Remote Application Server on Windows RDS servers to provide remote access to the company resources, mainly for law firms. In some cases, we install the agent on a physical desktop and it allows the user to access that PC remotely. Everything is done in the same console and this is a great benefit, configure the apps, desktop, and certificates all from the same console. Parallels Remote Application Server makes things easy and removes the complexity, I am amazed at how easy it is to install and configure a certificate for the public-facing URL, you can easily decide to use TLS1.2 and so make it more secure just by one click! Also, you can integrate it easily with Google 2FA authentication or other 2FA solutions. I have only in a few cases needed to contact technical support, it just works once you set it up.
July 09, 2022
Cost effective wrapper for MS RDP/VDI deployment. Worth it for consolidation and ease of management.
We originally migrated from Citrix ICA due to overall cost. It is used in an RDP environment to deploy Windows-based ERP and Fulfillment applications to remote warehouses.
We implement Parallels Remote Application Server for customers in various industries. It is used to access remote PCs located in the office but also to access central virtual desktops hosted via MS RDP.
A published application that can be hosted\updated\managed on one server and used by multiple users on multiple platforms. With Parallels Remote Application Server we were able to establish a working solution for our company's needs and is easy to do with excellent Parallels support and a cost-friendly licensing solution. The main tool for Deltek OpenPlan usage in our company.
June 23, 2022
Remote Application Server, the way it should be.
We have been using Parallels RAS since the beginning of the Covid Pandemic, and continue to use it to this day. It has an easy-to-use main dashboard on the RAS Server directly and easily allows you to configure any setup you like. Whether this is having multiple gateways, to allow for easy load balancing, RDS, or VDI environments. We use Parallels in an RDS and physical PC setting, and the RDS side works as we'd expect. If I was to say what our primary issue is, it would be to do with the physical PC side. This is because as the PCs do get turned off, the RAS server-client keeps saying that machines need updating as it doesn't like them being offline. As a business, we will be continuing to use Parallels RAS, as we're very happy with the product, after coming from one of their main competitors - Citrix.
June 20, 2022
Best and Easy RAS Solution
We publish our ERP systems through RAS to remote users. This includes our branch offices, roaming users, and remote locations. For some of the critical users, we also publish desktop for ease of use to the WAN sales teams as well. Without 2X it was difficult for us to provide ERP connection to the remote users.
June 15, 2022
Parallels RAS? More like RA-YES!
Parallels Remote Application Server has allowed us to implement a flexible and customizable work environment comprised of thin clients, virtual desktops, and individuals working from home. It was relatively easy to set up and is simple to maintain.
April 08, 2022
Make the switch to Parallels RAS!
Prior to using Parallels RAS, we were using a competitor product that was very complex and cumbersome when it came to needing to upgrade. We trialed Parallels RAS and were blown away by how easy it was to stand up the product and begin using the features. Employees have been very happy with the performance and ease of use. Upgrades are also very easy with Parallels and only take a fraction of the time of the competitor product to complete.