Microsoft App-V vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) comparison

Microsoft App-V vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

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Categories and Ranking

Microsoft App-V

Ranking in Application Virtualization

2nd

Average Rating

9.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

Ranking in Application Virtualization

5th

Average Rating

8.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) (12th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2024, in the Application Virtualization category, the mindshare of Microsoft App-V is 31.1%, up from 24.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is 8.9%, down from 15.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Virtualization

Unique Categories:

No other categories found

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

1.0%

Featured Reviews

Dan Patriche

Application Integrator at Lombard Odier Group

May 10, 2024

Enables organizations to deploy applications incredibly fast and reduces delivery time

The solution is useful for deploying applications We can deploy applications incredibly fast. The implementation time is really fast. I like the way the Sequencer works. The publication and management console are really helpful. We switch from the classic MSI through SCCM deployment to App-V with…

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AJ Hartenberg

Business Owner at Yada Group Services

Jun 27, 2023

Provides good scalability and a secure environment

We use the solution to access remote desktop applications. It helps us to have all our business applications in one place. We can also deploy as many desktops as required within hours. The solution has the best security features in terms of data access control. It is highly reliable. The…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We can deploy applications incredibly fast."

"The most interesting and powerful feature for us is the fact that we can upgrade any kind of app instantly."

"It is very easy to use from an administration point of view."

"Its price and ease of use are the most valuable. It is simple and has good performance."

"Client compatibility with many systems makes it very versatile. The reporting that is included is awesome."

"The solution is powerful, and it has good speed and performance."

"We can publish apps and desktops on Terminal Servers and seamlessly share printers. We also combine Parallels with Deepnet Security to get two-factor authentication."

"Simplicity of the interface is a valuable feature."

"Ease of use in publishing apps and installing the agent. The Interface is fairly intuitive after some tinkering. Although I inherited the app only two-thirds deployed, I was able to complete the deployment and service it over the last year without referring to any documentation."

"The connection is compressed so we don't need a lot of resources to run it."

"Setup was straightforward. Our particular use case involved an Active Directory forest involving two data centers and three domains. User authentication against Active Directory was the easiest to set up and validate of any application installed in the last three years."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pros

Cons

"The downside is that Microsoft bought this product and they are going to discontinue it in 2026. This is worrisome for us."

"If it were possible to integrate App-V with a cybersecurity solution then we could implement a documentation registry, which would be useful."

"The reporting features could be improved."

"It would be great if there were more sophisticated GPO templates/options."

"It needs Windows scaling on Android/iOS devices. At present, the concept of delivering apps to Android and iOS devices is appealing, but the reality is the screen size on these devices is so small that, unless there is some scaling option, it is not really usable."

"From a seller's point of view, there are a lot of things that they could do better in the sales cycle."

"The solution's application virtualization feature needs improvement."

"Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is an expensive solution, and its pricing could be improved."

"Currently in the RD Session Hosts – Sessions section, I can see what server a user is logged into but not what app he is using. Being able to do so would be immensely helpful when a non-technical user is complaining of issues, but I can’t tell which app he is using, and he is actually logged into multiple servers since they serve multiple apps."

"HALB is not stable in our environment. When running two HALBs we have stability problems, so we use an active one and a passive for backup. Also, it would be nice to implement an upgrade of the environment without having to stop the servers. As it is, this must be done during off-hours."

"Opening a ticket should be available from the actual RAS console. It is cumbersome to go to a portal, hunt around for five minutes for a link to open a ticket, answer questions meant to direct you towards FAQs instead of live support, then fill out information (license #, version #, etc.) which could more easily be supplied by sending a ticket straight from the console with all of that information automatically specified."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Clients do not pay licensing fees."

"The pricing of this product is competitive."

"It is inexpensive compared to one of its competitors."

"Parallels is a cost effective alternative to Citrix."

"The pricing has always been competitive, and the new SPLA licensing model works great for our business and clients."

"Comparable performance to Citrix for our use case at a significantly lower cost. Pricing is clear and there are relatively few options or other pricing considerations when compared to similar products. Just be sure not to forget the Microsoft licensing that goes along with a Parallels deployment."

"It justifies the price. In terms of licensing, initially when we got the product it was an unlimited licensing strategy. We knew would grow in the coming years. So initially, we took a plan which had no limit. After a year or so the strategy changed and we were being limited to 105 licenses, that was the minimum... If there was flexibility for increasing the number of licenses that would be great because you never know how much you are going to grow in the next year."

"It is not that high. It is in the medium range. Of course, it could be lower, but the price is not the issue."

"I recommend testing Parallels and comparing it to your needs. Compare the prices against what you are able to do with the product and its alternatives. Parallels is not a cheap product."

"Just compare it to Citrix and you will see the value in it."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Application Virtualization solutions are best for your needs.

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787,817 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

18%

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Government

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft App-V?

The product is free, but we must pay for Microsoft licenses.

What needs improvement with Microsoft App-V?

Microsoft has announced that it is going to discontinue the solution. I wish the vendor would not discontinue the tool. The reporting features could be improved. We use our in-house tools for repor...

What is your primary use case for Microsoft App-V?

The solution is useful for deploying applications.

What do you like most about Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

The solution is powerful, and it has good speed and performance.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

The product is not expensive. I rate its pricing a three or four out of ten.

What needs improvement with Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is an expensive solution, and its pricing could be improved.

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Compared 33% of the time

Citrix Workspace vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 24% of the time

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 18% of the time

Parallels Desktop vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 5% of the time

NComputing vSpace vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 3% of the time

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Product Reports

Application Virtualization

Download Microsoft App-V product report

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Download Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) product report

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) report

Also Known As

App-V, MS App-V

Parallels RAS

Learn More

Microsoft

Video not available

Parallels

Overview

Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) enables you to make applications available to end users without installing the applications directly on end user computers. App-V transforms applications into centrally managed services that are never installed and don't conflict with other applications.

ApplicationServer delivers applications, data and virtual desktops from a central location, providing continuous availability, resource-based load-balancing and complete network transparency.

Sample Customers

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), GDDKiA, P&V, Etisalat Lanka, Hellenic Petroleum

Arsari Group _ PT Netmarks Indonesia, Izhevsk Elektromekhanicheskiy Zavod (IEMZ) _ Kupol, Abilene Diagnostic Clinic, Fylde Borough Council, YARSTROYREZE LLC, VSK Insurance House, Melenkovsky District of Vladimirskaya Oblast, Sofrigam SA, Antenna International, KingsGate Community Church, Norwegian American Hospital, Island Hotels Group, Medway Council, Medway Council, Voices of September 11th, MacDonald Training Center, Kansas Childrenês Service League, Scope,Next Generation Clubs, WTC Communications, Opera Australia, HSE Integrated, Danier, Bridgwater College, Kern County Mental Health, Tony Tiendas, Spears Manufacturing, Managed Insurance Services Inc., Intuitive Medical Software, M.J. Soffe, Mazda Motors, Israel Military Industries (IMI), Telfair, Upic Solutions, Teleflora, Fisher & Company

Microsoft App-V vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)