Amazon WorkSpaces vs Parallels Desktop comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Parallels are both solutions in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.0, while Parallels is ranked #9. Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a 2.7% mindshare in VD, compared to Parallels’s 3.6% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Amazon Web Services (AWS) users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Parallels users who would recommend it.

Amazon WorkSpaces

Read 19 Amazon WorkSpaces reviews

3,214 Views
2,571 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Parallels Desktop

Read 2 Parallels Desktop reviews

4,494 Views
4,449 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Amazon WorkSpaces

Parallels Desktop

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Parallels Desktop and Amazon WorkSpaces compete in the virtualization and desktop as a service market. Amazon WorkSpaces is perceived to have an advantage due to its comprehensive feature set, even though Parallels Desktop is recognized for its competitive pricing and service support.

Features: Parallels Desktop offers integration with Windows and MacOS, allowing applications to run simultaneously and enabling file sharing. Amazon WorkSpaces provides virtual desktops that can be accessed across multiple devices, focusing on strong security and scalability measures. Amazon WorkSpaces further includes remote desktop solutions enhanced with collaboration tools suited for enterprise needs.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Parallels Desktop is appreciated for its easy and rapid installation process, supported by robust service support. Amazon WorkSpaces leverages a cloud-based deployment model that promotes scalability, though it may initially be complex. A variety of customer service resources are available with Amazon, supporting larger enterprise operations.

Pricing and ROI: Parallels Desktop is generally aligned with a one-time setup cost, offering potential cost benefits for small to medium businesses. Amazon WorkSpaces uses a pay-as-you-go pricing strategy, offering flexibility for larger businesses requiring scalable solutions. This potentially leads to higher ROI for enterprise deployments when evaluating long-term scenarios.

To learn more, read our detailed Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Parallels Desktop Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Parallels Desktop

September 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

Amazon WorkSpaces

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

11th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) (2nd)

Parallels Desktop

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

9th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category, the mindshare of Amazon WorkSpaces is 2.7%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Parallels Desktop is 3.6%, down from 9.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Parallels Desktop	3.6%
Amazon WorkSpaces	2.7%
Other	93.7%

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Featured Reviews

JiteshRathod

Expert Engineer at Apexon

Remote teams have gained secure, consistent test environments and onboarding stays streamlined

Desired improvements for Amazon WorkSpaces include faster and more flexible image updates, incremental image updates, patch-only updates, and a much faster push of software configuration changes to all workspaces, as well as improved cursor shutters and remote screen jitter. Amazon WorkSpaces can sometimes function as a black box, making it difficult to diagnose why a workspace is slow on any given day due to limited visibility into network latency from the client, real-time CPU and GPU utilization, and storage bottlenecks. Improvements are needed for built-in performance dashboards, clearer latency metrics, connection health reports, and root cause suggestions that distinguish between local network and VPC issues.

Read full review

Mark Hardy

Payments Architect at Self Employed

A great platform to develop interoperable code on

The decision to transition away from Intel chips to their silicon. They are processing, and there are many examples. Instead of not having a product to use for a while, they have just released it now. However, if you're seeking a product that is industry-ready regularly or has plans to make it so, considering the upcoming changes, I recommend trying out Parallels Desktop in beta. When you're only dealing with Windows, we do much in the Windows version, but it is not improving the Windows operating system. If you're hosting a Windows platform or another version of the machine, the code will have limitations. Windows is not a walled garden, with no significant volatility or instability. Windows is quite versatile. I never encountered intrusive ads or unused features, which is quite good. Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

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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

"The most valuable features are easy provisioning, an active directory, and mobile access."

"The tool has low latency and multimedia support. For instance, running Zoom calls on Amazon WorkSpaces seamlessly supports local microphones, speakers, and web cameras. This feature is transparent for applications, allowing me to use the Zoom application without requiring exceptional support for remote web cameras or microphones. Amazon WorkSpaces provides this functionality at the operating system level, enabling effortless video conferencing. To my knowledge, Microsoft Remote Desktop does not offer the same support."

"Amazon WorkSpaces offers several best features including ease of access, security, scalability, anywhere access, and device flexibility."

"We can work remotely using the solution."

"The experience is seamless and there is no delay. The performance is very good. Initial startup times is a little bit of wait time, but it is bearable."

"The best thing about Amazon WorkSpaces is the security it provides."

"The product is easy to access. You can access the solution from anywhere at any time."

"It has good speed and connects well with computers."

More Amazon WorkSpaces pros

"I like how, with Parallels, you can either boot into Mac or Windows to get better control over the resources of the laptops since you're sharing the resources in dual mode."

"Parallels Desktop integrates seamlessly with macOS. It works better than VMware on Apple operating systems."

Cons

"The speed and performance are not always the greatest. It can be improved."

"The product needs to improve its pricing. It should also improve corporate identity management and single sign-on."

"If they had a cheaper option for graphics pro, I think that it would be beneficial and I would use it."

"You cannot install external applications without doing some additional configurations inside the solution as opposed to your normal desktop or laptop."

"Making it more self-service friendly would be the implement I'd be looking for. When we have to add new applications, we have to go through the IT to do that, and they need to do some configuration changes. I believe they have to reevaluate the computation and storage and the memory. So this is this is something that as an unrequired and should be changed. Also, the initial start time takes couple of minutes and it is easy for get distracted during the time. So if it can reduce the start time to a reasonable start of time to a reasonable time of five to ten seconds. That will be great."

"Amazon WorkSpaces needs to improve its pricing."

"I would say that it is a little complex to configure."

"An area that could be improved is it could work better on VPN. On VPN, it gets some issues, and frequent disconnections happen."

More Amazon WorkSpaces cons

"There may have been some issues with device drivers on my Mac. Similarly, there are some issues with transferring data from Parallels to the Mac."

"The biggest challenge is compatibility between VMware and Parallels because the two systems are incompatible. It can be challenging if you are switching between Windows and Mac. I recommend sticking with one product because there isn't good compatibility between the different products."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is very expensive."

"On a scale of one to ten, where one is low and ten is a high price, I rate the pricing a two."

"Price-wise Amazon Workspaces is cheaper than most services available."

"There are several different options available, but it can range anywhere from $85 to $150 a month per machine."

"The solution is expensive."

"The bundle works out to be approximately $20.00 per month."

"The solution is not very cheap and it is not too pricey."

"They have hourly and monthly pricing, and because our use case is, more of a sporadic use, so I go for hourly pricing. Again, the details of the pricing is handled by the procurement. From an end user perspective, pay as you use hourly is suitable"

More Amazon WorkSpaces pricing and cost advice

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

13%

Performing Arts

13%

Construction Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

17%

Comms Service Provider

14%

University

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	10

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Amazon WorkSpaces?

For Amazon WorkSpaces pricing, I think it is affordable; it is a final decision made through the management part. I am not satisfied with the billing part because sometimes it bills for huge usage ...

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What needs improvement with Amazon WorkSpaces?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Amazon WorkSpaces?

Amazon WorkSpaces is used to provide a consistent environment for remote workers for testing purposes. Software testing is typically run on those desktops.

See all answers

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Comparisons

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 14% of the time

Amazon DCV vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 12% of the time

Horizon Cloud Service vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 11% of the time

Azure Virtual Desktop vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 10% of the time

V2 Cloud vs Amazon WorkSpaces

Compared 2% of the time

More Amazon WorkSpaces Competitors

VMware Fusion Pro vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 23% of the time

VMware Workstation vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 17% of the time

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 8% of the time

Azure Virtual Desktop vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 6% of the time

Horizon Cloud Service vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 3% of the time

More Parallels Desktop Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Amazon WorkSpaces

October 2026

Download Amazon WorkSpaces product report

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

October 2026

Download Parallels Desktop product report

Also Known As

WorkSpaces

No data available

Overview

Amazon WorkSpaces offers scalable virtual desktop environments that integrate seamlessly with existing IT structures. Its robust security measures and flexible access options make it ideal for remote work and daily operations, transforming traditional setups into efficient, cloud-based solutions.

Amazon WorkSpaces provides businesses with an efficient way to deploy and manage virtual desktops across multiple regions. Its integration with Active Directory and mobile access features enable users to connect from various devices, ensuring functionality on the go. With strong security measures including multi-factor authentication and encrypted data storage, organizations can confidently manage sensitive information. The platform supports multimedia applications and offers persistent storage for seamless performance. WorkSpaces is designed for cost-effectiveness and scalability, supporting multimedia integrations and adaptable deployment options.

What are the key features of Amazon WorkSpaces?

Easy Provisioning: Simplifies deployment for rapid setup
Active Directory Integration: Facilitates remote access control
Mobile Access: Enables connectivity from multiple devices
Strong Security: Includes multi-factor authentication
Cost-Effectiveness: Offers scalable solutions for budget-conscious businesses
Persistent Storage: Ensures data continuity and availability
Scalability: Supports extensive deployments across regions

What benefits should users consider in reviews of Amazon WorkSpaces?

Efficient Resource Management: Optimizes IT resources
Remote Accessibility: Provides access from any location
Smooth Performance: Delivers low-latency operation
Enhanced Security: Protects sensitive information with robust measures
Ease of Integration: Seamlessly connects with AWS and other tech ecosystems

In industries such as finance, healthcare, and education, organizations implement Amazon WorkSpaces to facilitate remote work and ensure secure cloud-based access. By transforming traditional IT setups, companies can offer flexible work-from-home solutions and maintain essential operations without geographical constraints, leading to increased productivity and streamlined management.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Parallels Desktop optimizes the virtualization experience on Mac, catering to professionals needing dual OS capabilities for seamless integration.

Designed for Mac users seeking efficient virtualization, Parallels Desktop enables Windows applications to run alongside macOS without rebooting. It integrates smoothly with current workflows, offering robust performance and comprehensive connectivity, supporting diverse professional needs.

What are its key features?

Coherence Mode: Effortlessly blend Windows and macOS applications for a unified desktop experience.
Resource Allocation: Dynamic adjustment of CPU and RAM helps maintain performance based on your tasks.
Seamless Integration: Easily access Mac files from Windows applications, ensuring fluid cross-platform interactions.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Increased Productivity: Simultaneously run multiple operating systems, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
Enhanced Compatibility: Access various applications, broadening tool availability across platforms.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces costs by eliminating the need for additional hardware or separate setups.

Parallels Desktop transforms industry practices by enabling diverse sectors such as education and finance to optimize software use without disruptions. In education, it supports a wide range of applications needed for enhanced learning experiences. Financial firms utilize dual systems for versatile data management and analysis.

Parallels

Sample Customers

GrubHub, Endemol Shine Nederland, CMC Property Services

Lytro, University of Washington, Slalom, Veeva Systems, Oklahoma Christian University

Buyer's Guide

Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Parallels Desktop

September 2026

Free Report: Amazon WorkSpaces vs. Parallels Desktop

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