A Solid Remote Desktop Services Alternative for User and Admin Quality of Life
Updated May 31, 2025
A Solid Remote Desktop Services Alternative for User and Admin Quality of Life
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
We use Parallels Remote Application Server to allow organizational access to traditional and legacy Win32 style applications. This would include legacy ERP software, older Microsoft Access front ends, and more. Generally, as Remote Desktop Services environment, with significant quality of life enhancements over Microsoft's basic implementation, such as web-based administration and easier delegation of administrative tasks.
Pros
- High Visibility of Users, Sessions and Performance
- Client is Easy to Install and Configure
- Good HA Options, or Active Standy-by HA Option
- Functionally Equivalent Web Interface for Management
Cons
- Support beyond email is hard to get - typically it's sending log after log when a remote session would have solved it much faster
- Need to perform a full Version Update every 18 months
- iOS app does not support kerberos
- Easier to Monitor and Administer than RDS, reducing admin time
- Does require periodic maintenance windows to upgrade the farm
- User/Device policies for client control allow for granular experience administration
- We actually can get support, which can be very challenging for Microsoft Native RDS.
Likely installing and deploying Parallels RAS won't take you long. You could be up and running in an afternoon for a simple deployment, and even less if you set everything up on a single box, while not recommended.
That takes longer if you want advanced scenarios, like configuring a full HA deployment with load balancers.
The more challenging aspect is likely configuring your applications.
That takes longer if you want advanced scenarios, like configuring a full HA deployment with load balancers.
The more challenging aspect is likely configuring your applications.
Provides similar function to Microsoft Remote Desktop services, including administrative and user quality of life, ability to get support, at the cost of licensing of course.
Do you think Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)'s feature set?
Yes
Did Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) again?
Yes
Using Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)
150 - We use Parallels RAS to delivery legacy Windows Front Line business applications to end users, particularly when those applications need close proximity to backend database servers. These are both for Machine Execution systems, as well as reporting and legacy Win32 apps.
2 - Once the farm is deployed, we rarely need significant administration. Most issues can be resolved by the Parallels Client, including force self-log off of sessions.
The largest administrative overhead comes during a farm upgrade, requiring a maintenance window, backups and other administrative work.
The fully functional web interface does make administration more accessible, and there are delegation options within the application.
The largest administrative overhead comes during a farm upgrade, requiring a maintenance window, backups and other administrative work.
The fully functional web interface does make administration more accessible, and there are delegation options within the application.
- Front Line Legacy Windows Apps
- Allowing Jump Box/Proxy access to backend resources that may have access control
- Improve performance for applications that need to be next to a backend SQL Server or similar
- Vendor Remote Access
- Using the Web Access for non-windows devices
- Inventory Control for some applications
- Running Windows Apps on Non-Windows Devices with Client
- Expand use of VDI and Thin Clients
Evaluating Parallels RAS and Competitors
Yes - Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. The Parallels client allows for better user self-service options. Allows to more flexibility with Windows OS Versions. Better Web interface, and management through a web interface.
- Ease of Use
High Availability is much easier and simpler to use in Parallels than Remote Desktop Services.
I wouldn't change it.
Parallels RAS Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Yes - Deployed smaller foreign sites first as proof of concepts.
- User Training
- Local configuration of the client
Parallels RAS Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed Immediate help available Quick Initial Response | None |
Support is included in our license.
I was able to get live support quickly during a licensing outage with a helpful support agent within 30 minutes. I have had good results with critical issues and immediate support.
Using Parallels RAS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Easy to use Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using | None |
- Web Admin console is fully functional
- Good out of box reporting options
- Good monitoring of server and resource consumption out of box
- Client takes more time to deploy than Microsoft Remote Desktop Services
- Ironing out printing issues and configurations takes time
Yes - The mobile app works well, but does not support Kerberos (iPad,iPhone). This required reducing security, or setting up complex certificate authenication.
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