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
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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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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
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- 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).
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(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
- Published apps
- Local printers
- Support
- It just seems to work
- Active directory integration.
- detailed logging of incoming connections, so you can see what user account is trying to connect from which IP address at what time.
- Easy to setup, for example, the HTML5 environment was already created while configuring the basic steps of the farm.
- Announcement of maintenance beforehand.
- Remote control of the connected user computer, not the session.
- Parallels Remote Application Server Client 19 now is asking for an email address? This is weird.
August 17, 2022
A solid product for a good price, but support is mediocre
- Very easy to set up
- Works well with profile redirection
- Easy to switch servers in and out of service, for easy maintenance.
- In switching servers in and out of service, it would be nice if Parallels migrated the user session immediately to an available server. As it is, you need to wait for them to close their apps before they are out of the old server, or kick them out, which ends their session. (Note : I am still on version 16, so this may be a thing now)
- I've found that Parallels needs to be set up with the HTTPS cert directly on the app in order to host secure traffic for the HTML5 site. Would be nice if it allowed HTTPS traffic to be sent to it via the load balancer, so the cert can be managed there instead.
August 17, 2022
just work anywhere
- easy to implement
- seamless operation on local systems
- fast screen output
- security
- multi os
- better HTML5 only implementation
- browser based management
August 17, 2022
In our organization Parallels RAS allows users to access sensitive data with 2FA worldwide
- Centralized servers status view (memory, disk, CPU)
- Flexible permissions (users, groups)
- Possibility to customize the corporate WWW portal view
- It would be great to have the option for temporary license. For example 10 licenses for 1 month, instead of yearly subscription.
August 12, 2022
Parallels Remote Application Server - it works every time!
- OS independent; work from various devices
- Does not need a plugin to work as it works in HTML5 just fine
- Redundancy model using HALB
- VDI out of the box without the need for additional software
- Ability to Shadow sessions
- Ability to better finger print client OS and version and deny access if client OS is obsolete. This worked in windows 7 but in windows 10 - it does not detect os level
- Ability to customize the GUI/frontend more than currently possible
August 12, 2022
Goodbye Citrix.... hello Parallels Remote Application Server
- Simple RDP / Application access
- Setup is a breeze compared to competitors
- Simple layout for management
- In constant development
- I feel it could give more options in the Parallels Remote Application Server client around connection settings
- Personally not a fan of the default settings applied to some settings
- Parallels Remote Application Server tenant broker could be better sign posted
- It's versatile - can be accessed from almost any device.
- It's secure - it gives administrators the ability to only allow users remote access to applications they need.
- It allows for a flexible deployment model with redundancy .
- The initial design and setup takes some time to work out.
- The name recognition for users outside the IT field is limited; they are more familiar with competing products.
- Technical support is not always as responsive as they could be when there are issues.
August 04, 2022
Parallels - The Good and the Bad
- External Access
- Full Desktop Capabilities
- Default Policies
- Printing not always working
August 02, 2022
Parallels RAS saved our bacon
- Access from anywhere with an Internet connection.
- Easy to manage.
- Excellent price/performance.
- Managing non-standard printers (large format - KIP printers, HP plotters.
- Easier setup for MFA.
- Easier setup for non-standard display sizes.
July 30, 2022
Happy with Parallels Remote Application Server
- Parallels Remote Application Server provides access and published applications to specified users or groups via Active Directory user or group privileges
- Parallels Remote Application Server provides on the fly remote access via HTML5-Gateway
- Parallels Remote Application Server provides remote printing service to local printers
- Although better since v18 connecting to local resources (e.g., HDDs and similar) could be faster.
- As far as we know, HTML5 access cannot be limited to certain users or user groups. Anyone who knows how it works can use this access as long as they have user privileges for our system. It would be nice to be able to configure user privileges for the feature.
- Printing from published applications.
- Easy to set up and keep running.
- We would like to be able to do what we do with Citrix published ICA files—essentially free-standing configurations that once ran function like a local application while they log in (in the background).
July 27, 2022
Parallels is awesome for what it is for
- It is great for creating remote desktops
- Publishing single Applications
- easy to use administrator console
- Requires that a client is installed on your PC
- VDI's built in Parallels crash sometimes requiring us to rebuild them
- Remote Access when Network Down
- Mobile Application is amazing
- Centralised management of remote applications
- Granular configuration of user properites
- Iphone App graphics a bit lacking
- More Customised Reporting
- Support Team pre-testing of Microsoft apps to assess impact
July 18, 2022
Affordable product with optimal features
- Application distribution
- Support
- Ease of access
- Reporting
- Integration with AD groups
- User level permission setup
July 17, 2022
Give it a chance you will not be dissapointed!
- Easy to administer.
- Access from any device.
- All in one capabilities.
- Users Groups or categories for applications access.
- How-to videos.
- Whole capabilities on web administration.
- Simplifies connecting to a user's environment.
- Quickly deploy new applications.
- Licensing database has had some issues that kept users from connecting and the workaround is a bit tedious.
- Tech support can be a bit rude.
- One console to configure everything, and simple to use and configure.
- It is easy to configure security on the product, SSL certificate, 2FA, logging, alerts.
- you have several options to deploy the product, RDS hosts, VDI, remote PC
- you can also configure reporting if you need more details on the environment
- Performance monitor also can be configured as part of the same installation
- Offer the option to include windows licensing (by paying extra of course)
- sometimes had issues with support not understanding my request (it was more related to a Microsoft issue rather than Parallels Remote Application Server at the end.)
July 09, 2022
Cost effective wrapper for MS RDP/VDI deployment. Worth it for consolidation and ease of management.
- Easy Administration of Microsoft Terminal Services
- HTML5 (web-based), Chrome, Linux Clients
- Universal Printing
- Thin Client. This was deprecated.
- x86 support. This was deprecated
- Certificate management
- fast and lean structure
- Very simple management
- very good and fast manufacturer support
- Simple license model - all features in one license
- MS Teams optimization / Offloading
- Simplicity
- Performance
- Cost friendly licensing
- Support
- Azure AVD integration
- Hybrid VM management
June 23, 2022
Remote Application Server, the way it should be.
- Management and deployment of devices.
- Reporting on user/application times.
- Policies on the application/HTML portal.
- Prompts to update offline devices (workstations in our case).
- A direct method of allowing you to disable the HTML portal (instead of a 404 - we added a redirect for anyone requesting the portal).
June 20, 2022
Best and Easy RAS Solution
- Remote Application Publish.
- Local and Remote Printing Support.
- Application Permission Management.
- Remote Administration.
- Folder Redirection.
- Application Launch Speed.
- Some reports of ERP running very slow using Parallels Remote Application Server.
June 15, 2022
Parallels RAS? More like RA-YES!
- Virtual Desktop Environments
- Integration with Thin Clients
- Easy user/session management via portal
- Sessions will sometimes suspend and fall into a 'sleep' state where they don't fully disconnect. This leaves users confused as to why they can't actually get on their computers.
- Cursors on thin clients will often disappear when hovering over different applications.
- Not all software can be virtualized and utilized in the "published apps" method of implementation. This isn't really Parallel's fault, but it's definitely something to be aware of. Some users may need a full VDI if working from home over just the apps.
April 08, 2022
Make the switch to Parallels RAS!
- Reliability
- Ease of Use.
- Ease of Administration.
- Availability of release notes.
- Notification of new releases.
- SSO on client stops working once the client is upgraded to newer version.