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

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

Download the complete report

Helped 902,456 peers since 2012

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

Microsoft App-V

Ranking in Application Virtualization

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

Ranking in Application Virtualization

4th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) (13th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2026, in the Application Virtualization category, the mindshare of Microsoft App-V is 12.9%, down from 22.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is 14.9%, down from 16.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Virtualization Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft App-V	12.9%
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)	14.9%
Other	72.2%

Application Virtualization

Featured Reviews

Francois Gotti

Senior Infrastructure Engineer at IQEQ

Streaming has impressed but integration and support require improvement

The problem with Microsoft App-V is that there is no choice since Microsoft has decided to stop it, and we are searching for alternatives. Microsoft App-V needs to evolve, possibly with better integration with other solutions, particularly since we use Citrix and want to integrate App-V packages more efficiently. The management of packages should be easier, possibly through a web console for visibility in versioning, and options to convert packages when changing technologies. Many companies avoid using tools like Admin Studio due to high costs. Additionally, Microsoft App-V has been slow, and users experience delays when launching applications, which presents significant challenges.

Read full review

JohanSkibdahl

CEO at Etcetera Networks

Secure access across devices with cost-effective seamless integration

One valuable feature is the ability to securely use a wide range of devices to access the company's infrastructure. The inclusion of all necessary components, such as load balancer and gateways, in a monthly fee is also beneficial. In terms of Parallels Desktop, the coherence mode that allows Mac and Windows applications to run seamlessly side by side is highly regarded.

Read full review

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."

"I appreciate the process of being able to change or review my answers."

"From my point of view, it reached a maturity where we can consider it to be perfect."

"From a technical point of view, it meets most of the customers' needs."

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

"I would recommend Microsoft App-V for its simplicity and efficiency."

"It is easy to scale. You can quickly deploy additional instances. Rollbacks are easy because there is an automatic backup every hour. Deploying the application is straightforward and efficient."

"From my experience with Microsoft App-V, the feature I liked the most is the streaming."

More Microsoft App-V pros

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

"Parallels Desktop allows me to run both Mac and Windows operating systems on a single machine, eliminating the need for separate Windows hardware."

"We use RAS to publish cloud desktops to our clients. The ability to easily publish resources to a subset of users is what we find most valuable."

"Thank you 2X for such a great product that makes my work much easier!"

"It is a stable solution."

"I feel the product's pricing is of good value; we have reviewed pricing on other software products, Citrix and products like that, and we realized that for the same basic functionality, we're paying pennies on the dollar, so we do appreciate that pricing level."

"It is robust."

"Without Parallels, we'd either be spending a lot more money or our business would not exist anymore."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pros

Cons

"Microsoft App-V is more suited for legacy software usage, and trying to make it work in that context usually feels tricky and unreliable."

"The reporting features could be improved."

"The process was streamlined but didn't make our work simple. We encountered an issue with the person responsible for designing the website."

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

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

"There is definitely room for improvement with Microsoft App-V, especially in terms of enhancing troubleshooting resources and user guidance."

"Microsoft App-V has been slow, and users experience delays when launching applications, which presents significant challenges."

"Regarding improvements in Microsoft App-V, I would appreciate seeing the successor, MSIX, work better, as nothing is going to be implemented anymore since it is end of life by the end of the year."

"We have had significant, ongoing issues with printing."

"A web-based management interface for administration and reporting would be nice, instead of needing to log into a remote server."

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

"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."

"The main thing that I would improve is their presence here in Mexico. They don't have strong local support here in Mexico."

"Too much Active Directory dependent"

"We have had significant, ongoing issues with printing. It would be great to have a best practice for dealing with printing that we can offer to our customers."

"Since I've been here less than a year, I have had to upgrade the system three times. The first time was the major upgrade but they have upgraded twice since, and I think that's too many times in that time span."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Clients do not pay licensing fees."

"The pricing of this product is competitive."

"Parallels is a cost effective alternative to Citrix."

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

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

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

"Work with the vendor, as this is a fairly new product and they want use cases. Deals can be made."

"We currently use Parallels side-by-side with an Azure cloud-hosted solution. This may be from a lack of product knowledge on my part, but we still need to work out the most effective way to shut down servers outside of hours, thereby reduce hosting costs. I am not entirely convinced Parallels does this well yet."

"I think the new pricing is a little bit high. If the price was lower, we could use it for many more customers. If there was one improvement to be made to this product, it would be a small-business version, at a much lower price point."

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.

See recommendations

902,456 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

17%

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

Government

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

University

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	15
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	10

Questions from the Community

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

Regarding pricing, I believe flexibility would help retain customers. Costs could be more adaptable to meet varying budgets.

What needs improvement with Microsoft App-V?

There is definitely room for improvement with Microsoft App-V, especially in terms of enhancing troubleshooting resources and user guidance.

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

I have been using Microsoft App-V for quite some time, and I can describe my use cases, which include various applications that enhance productivity.

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

The pricing for Parallels RAS is straightforward with a monthly fee for a minimum of 15 licenses. For Parallels Desktop, it is a yearly cost of a couple of hundred euros. No additional fees for mai...

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

A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS. As for Parallels Desktop, there is nothing specific that needs improvement.

What is your primary use case for Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

The primary use case of Parallels is to offer it to customers as a hosted service. I help them to migrate from other solutions like VMware to Parallels RAS. I recommend it to companies that prefer ...

Numecent Cloudpager vs Microsoft App-V

Comparisons

Compared 30% of the time

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Microsoft App-V

Compared 20% of the time

Systancia Workplace vs Microsoft App-V

Compared 16% of the time

Microsoft Virtual Server vs Microsoft App-V

Compared 8% of the time

NextAxiom HyperService vs Microsoft App-V

Compared 6% of the time

More Microsoft App-V Competitors

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 13% of the time

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

Compared 12% of the time

Inuvika vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 7% of the time

Parallels Desktop vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 7% of the time

NComputing vSpace vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 4% of the time

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) Competitors

Product Reports

Microsoft App-V

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

Overview

Microsoft App-V facilitates rapid, secure application deployment in isolated containers for Windows platforms. Its centralized management allows app deployment globally or per-user, enhancing productivity alongside legacy software support.

Microsoft App-V is a robust tool for managing application deployments with centralized control and flexibility, offering features like instant upgrades, application streaming, and support for running multiple app versions. While facing discontinuation in 2026, it remains valuable for managing legacy applications and achieving cost efficiencies. Users can quickly manage apps via SCCM and benefit from reduced local installations, lowering security risks and enhancing scalability. However, there are calls for improved Azure integration and better synchronization capabilities.

What are the key features of Microsoft App-V?

Instant Upgrades: Rapidly update applications without disruptions.
Centralized Management: Manage applications from a single location, reducing conflicts.
App Streaming: Streamline deployment with minimal local resource use.
Legacy Software Support: Run older applications on modern systems seamlessly.
Concurrent Versions: Support multiple app versions for user flexibility.

What benefits should users look for in Microsoft App-V?

Cost Reduction: Lower operational costs through efficient resource use.
Scalability: Easily scale application deployments to meet growing needs.
Stability: Enhance operational stability with reliable application management.
Efficiency: Improve efficiency through reduced user interaction in updates.

In industries like finance and healthcare, Microsoft App-V is used to maintain legacy application functionality while modernizing IT infrastructure. Companies in sectors with critical operations leverage its ability to keep applications separate, reducing conflicts and ensuring reliable performance even on aging systems. The focus on transition and integration is crucial as they explore advanced solutions for future needs.

Microsoft

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) offers efficient remote application and desktop delivery across diverse devices, providing businesses with easy management and robust performance, ensuring stable and secure access.

RAS simplifies remote access through its user-friendly design, encompassing app publishing, device compatibility, and management capabilities. Users benefit from its HTML 5 Client convenience and impressive speed. With features like security groups and client compatibility, RAS excels in providing a stable and flexible environment. Its scalability across platforms and affordability makes it attractive for many organizations. However, areas such as printing stability, customization, and performance monitoring could benefit from further enhancements.

What are the key features of Parallels RAS?

App Publishing: Provides simple and efficient application distribution across devices.
Device Compatibility: Supports devices including Macs, Windows, and Android.
HTML 5 Client: Enables convenient access via web browsers.
Security: Incorporates security groups and robust measures.
Integration: Compatible with platforms including Windows RDS and VMware.

What benefits do users gain from Parallels RAS?

Ease of Use: Simplifies setup and management processes.
Performance: Ensures swift and stable application delivery.
Cost-Effective: Offers an affordable solution for remote access needs.
Diverse Access: Promotes secure, seamless access from multiple devices.

Industry implementations of Parallels RAS include its use as a client gateway and an alternative to Windows RDS. With support for Macs, Windows, Linux, and Android devices, it facilitates application publishing and migration from platforms like VMware. Organizations employ RAS for remote control, VDI, and ERP solutions, improving remote workforce operations and geographic application distribution.

Parallels

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)