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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
6.7
Microsoft Virtual Server provides significant savings and immediate returns with its pay-as-you-go model, enhancing financial outcomes for users.
Sentiment score
7.9
Parallels RAS is valued for cost prevention and business continuity, despite challenges in quantifying its exact return on investment.
We can save 50% compared to on-premises infrastructure.
Software Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.2
Microsoft Virtual Server support is efficient and quick, but users have mixed ratings due to recent connection issues and costs.
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.
Department Manager, Certification Project Management at Institute for Information Industry
For Parallels RAS, the support is rated eight out of ten.
CEO at Etcetera Networks
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.7
Microsoft Virtual Server is scalable and flexible, supporting diverse needs with scalability ratings between seven and ten.
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.
Senior Engineer Identity and Access at a government with 201-500 employees
I can start from fifteen users and scale it to nearly any size.
CEO at Etcetera Networks
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.9
Microsoft Virtual Server is stable, rated 7-9, reliable for workloads, yet occasionally requires restarts and feature adaptation.
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.
Senior Engineer Identity and Access at a government with 201-500 employees
 

Room For Improvement

Microsoft Virtual Server needs performance, pricing, security, compatibility, and support enhancements to improve usability, scalability, and efficiency.
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.
Senior Engineer Identity and Access at a government with 201-500 employees
If something were available automatically instead of updating manually, that would be beneficial.
Software Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS.
CEO at Etcetera Networks
 

Setup Cost

Microsoft Virtual Server pricing is debated, with some finding it costly despite optional plans and others recommending cost reductions.
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 offers scalability, reliability, integration, and efficiency, appealing to businesses with virtualization, security, and management needs.
Parallels RAS provides ease of use, stability, broad compatibility, and cost-effective remote access for diverse devices and infrastructures.
The data is safe, easily accessible, fast, and scalable.
Software Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Microsoft Virtual Server also handles a large number of users effectively, which benefits my organization.
Senior Engineer Identity and Access at a government with 201-500 employees
In terms of Parallels Desktop, the coherence mode that allows Mac and Windows applications to run seamlessly side by side is highly regarded.
CEO at Etcetera Networks
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Virtual Server
Ranking in Application Virtualization
3rd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.1
Number of Reviews
39
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 January 2026, in the Application Virtualization category, the mindshare of Microsoft Virtual Server is 5.7%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is 14.4%, down from 16.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Virtualization Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft Virtual Server5.7%
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)14.4%
Other79.9%
Application Virtualization
 

Featured Reviews

UdaySiddu - PeerSpot reviewer
Software Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Virtual machines have improved cost savings and now provide safe, fast, snapshot-based recovery
Virtual Servers are valuable to us. We have been using Microsoft Virtual Server for the last five years. We use it for common applications and server applications. Microsoft Virtual Server machines are good compared to on-premises infrastructure. You can take a snapshot whenever we require it, and we can rebuild it. The data is safe, easily accessible, fast, and scalable. For snapshots, whenever we do any maintenance activity, the admin team takes snapshots. If there are any issues or upgrade problems, they revert back to the old one.
JohanSkibdahl - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
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879,422 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Computer Software Company
15%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Healthcare Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business20
Midsize Enterprise8
Large Enterprise15
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business14
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise10
 

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?
I do not know about disadvantages as I am not a system engineer, but something can be challenging or complex.
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 ...
 

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: December 2025.
879,422 professionals have used our research since 2012.