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Microsoft Virtual Server vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
6.1
Microsoft Virtual Server offered significant ROI, with 15% cost reduction and 20-30% efficiency improvements, enhancing reliability and accessibility.
Sentiment score
7.9
Parallels RAS is valued for cost prevention and business continuity, despite challenges in quantifying its exact return on investment.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.8
Microsoft Virtual Server support is efficient but sometimes hard to reach; advanced support is costly but generally satisfactory.
Sentiment score
7.6
Parallels Remote Application Server support is generally well-rated, with some issues in initial support stages and time differences.
We must pay for advanced technical support, and sometimes it is expensive.
For Parallels RAS, the support is rated eight out of ten.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
Microsoft Virtual Server is generally rated positively for scalability but may need technical staff for deployment and maintenance.
Sentiment score
7.9
Parallels RAS efficiently scales to support thousands of users, though some find load balancing and usage optimization challenging.
Scalability, flexibility, and performance are key factors, indicating no significant limitations.
I can start from fifteen users and scale it to nearly any size.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.9
Microsoft Virtual Server is considered stable, robust, and user-friendly, supporting various workloads efficiently with reliable features.
Sentiment score
7.3
Parallels Remote Application Server is stable for most users, though issues with version 13, licensing, and connectivity exist.
There are a few features like user search, binary search, and LDAP search that have been well-implemented and are user-friendly, aiding many administrators.
 

Room For Improvement

Microsoft Virtual Server needs improvements in pricing, UI, integration, security, support response, and features like automation and customization.
Parallels RAS could improve by enhancing monitoring, integration, interface, support, web management, cost, and expanding application and hypervisor compatibility.
Introducing a .NET experience with a drag-and-drop feature would enhance ease of report formation and monitoring tools.
A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS.
 

Setup Cost

Enterprise buyers have mixed pricing perceptions of Microsoft Virtual Server, highlighting varied costs and dissatisfaction with initial budget expectations.
Parallels RAS is valued for its cost-effectiveness and clear licensing but desired more flexible growth options by some users.
 

Valuable Features

Microsoft Virtual Server provides scalable, user-friendly management with strong integration, enhancing server stability, performance, and cost-effectiveness for cloud computing.
Parallels RAS provides ease of use, stability, broad compatibility, and cost-effective remote access for diverse devices and infrastructures.
Microsoft Virtual Server also handles a large number of users effectively, which benefits my organization.
In terms of Parallels Desktop, the coherence mode that allows Mac and Windows applications to run seamlessly side by side is highly regarded.
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Virtual Server
Ranking in Application Virtualization
3rd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
38
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) (11th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Application Virtualization category, the mindshare of Microsoft Virtual Server is 2.0%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is 17.0%, up from 14.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Virtualization
 

Featured Reviews

CharlesChang - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficient resource management and cost savings benefit usage
I do not get the detail of the money saved, but I am not a system engineer, so I do not know how much we saved. From one to 10, I would give it eight in terms of expense. It is deployed on-premises. In general, I rate my overall experience with Microsoft Virtual Server as an eight out of ten.
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.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Computer Software Company
16%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Healthcare Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Virtual Server?
I am not involved much in cost-related matters but heard from management that it is a better choice.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Virtual Server?
There is room for improvement in the user interface, which could be more user-friendly. Additionally, introducing a .NET experience with a drag-and-drop feature would enhance ease of report formati...
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 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.
 

Also Known As

Virtual Server, MS Virtual Server
Parallels RAS
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Paylocity, ASELSAN, Sochi Organizing Committee, Supervisor of Elections, Orange County, Florida, Netgem, Nav Canada, The British & Irish Lions
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
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Virtual Server vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
865,384 professionals have used our research since 2012.