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

Microsoft and Parallels are both solutions in the Application Virtualization category. Microsoft is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.4, while Parallels is ranked #4 with an average rating of 7.5. Microsoft holds a 21.9% mindshare in AV, compared to Parallels’s 16.7% mindshare. Additionally, 80% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Parallels users who would recommend it.
Microsoft App-V
Read 9 Microsoft App-V reviews
  • 1,382 Views
  • 1,382 Comparison Views
80% willing to recommend
Parallels Remote Applicatio...
Read 25 Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) reviews
  • 1,628 Views
  • 537 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

Microsoft App-V and Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) compete in the application virtualization category. Parallels RAS seems to have the upper hand due to its expanded feature set and ease of use.

Features: Microsoft App-V offers application isolation, centralized management, and seamless Windows integration. In contrast, Parallels RAS provides application delivery, desktop virtualization, and enhanced security features, positioning it as a robust solution for diverse environments.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft App-V could enhance user-friendliness and reduce complexity in setup. A broader platform support would be advantageous. Enhancements in cloud integration capabilities could be another area of focus. Parallels RAS might benefit from a more competitive pricing model, expanding integrations with non-Windows systems and simplifying its advanced feature configurations for easier implementation.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Parallels RAS is known for its easy deployment and responsive customer support, making it simple for IT administrators to manage. Microsoft App-V integrates well within Windows ecosystems but can be more complex to set up initially, which might require more specialized knowledge.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft App-V offers a cost-effective option for Microsoft-based infrastructures, though its complexity might lead to hidden costs. Parallels RAS, while potentially higher in upfront cost, provides a comprehensive suite that can yield better long-term ROI by enhancing operational efficiencies, justifying the investment for many organizations.

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To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft App-V vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) Report (Updated: September 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft App-V vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
September 2025
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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

Microsoft App-V
Ranking in Application Virtualization
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
9
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
25
Ranking in other categories
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) (13th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Application Virtualization category, the mindshare of Microsoft App-V is 21.9%, down from 23.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is 16.7%, up from 15.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Virtualization Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft App-V21.9%
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)16.7%
Other61.400000000000006%
Application Virtualization
 

Featured Reviews

Francois Gotti - PeerSpot reviewer
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 - PeerSpot reviewer
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

"I would recommend Microsoft App-V for its simplicity and efficiency."
"Microsoft App-V is a simple, very good working product that just works."
"The most interesting and powerful feature for us is the fact that we can upgrade any kind of app instantly."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft App-V that I found is the possibility to bring old software back to life and publish it for users to do their jobs using those applications."
"I appreciate the process of being able to change or review my answers."
"We can deploy applications incredibly fast."
"From my experience with Microsoft App-V, the feature I liked the most is the streaming."
"It is very easy to use from an administration point of view."
More Microsoft App-V pros
"It provides flexible access to Windows applications from many types of devices."
"Simplicity of the interface is a valuable feature."
"Client compatibility with many systems makes it very versatile. The reporting that is included is awesome."
"It is robust. We have some 75 users using it and it doesn't lag. It's very speedy."
"The connection is compressed so we don't need a lot of resources to run it."
"The stability is ok - once I finished the setup, the system was quite stable."
"You have the opportunity to virtualize applications in different locations. Everything is in one pane or one window, which is quite good."
"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."
More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pros
 

Cons

"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."
"There is definitely room for improvement with Microsoft App-V, especially in terms of enhancing troubleshooting resources and user guidance."
"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."
"Microsoft App-V has been slow, and users experience delays when launching applications, which presents significant challenges."
"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 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."
"A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS."
"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."
"The main issue we have with all of our users is printing. Randomly, a printer will disconnect or someone won't connect to it and I will have to reset the print service and then nobody can print. That's the big headache we've had over the course of the five years."
"We use several gateways because access to our secret zone requires two-factor user authentication. It is a lot of hassle differentiating among users with or without two-factor. Of course, we could use two farms, but that would mean more management too."
"If the solution crashes, then all the customers connected through that agent, lose their session."
"Sometimes you need to understand how to use load balancing and the gateway in order to scale, which means the team may need some additional technical knowledge."
"The product does not utilize SQL for reporting purposes. Also, it does not support some hypervisors similar to Citrix. These particular areas need improvement."
"The solution's application virtualization feature needs improvement."
More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Clients do not pay licensing fees."
"The pricing of this product is competitive."
"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."
"It is inexpensive compared to one of its competitors."
"It is very affordable."
"Parallels is a cost effective alternative to Citrix."
"Work with the vendor, as this is a fairly new product and they want use cases. Deals can be made."
"The pricing has always been competitive, and the new SPLA licensing model works great for our business and clients."
"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
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
15%
Government
10%
Healthcare Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
7%
Computer Software Company
16%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
University
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Large Enterprise5
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business14
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise10
 

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.
See all answers
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.
See all answers
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.
See all answers
What do you like most about Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?
The solution is powerful, and it has good speed and performance.
See all answers
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...
See all answers
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.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 27% of the time
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Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) Logo
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
Compared 20% of the time
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Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
Compared 16% of the time
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Compared 9% of the time
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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft App-V
September 2025
Microsoft App-V reportDownload Microsoft App-V product report
Buyer's Guide
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
September 2025
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) reportDownload Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) product report
 

Also Known As

App-V, MS App-V
Parallels RAS
 

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.
Microsoft
ApplicationServer delivers applications, data and virtual desktops from a central location, providing continuous availability, resource-based load-balancing and complete network transparency.
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
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft App-V vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
September 2025
Free Report: Microsoft App-V vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)
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