Parallels Desktop vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) comparison

Parallels Desktop and Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) are both solutions in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category. Parallels Desktop is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.0, while Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.0. Parallels Desktop holds a 13.4% mindshare in VD, compared to Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)’s 2.4% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Parallels Desktop users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) users who would recommend it.

Parallels Desktop

Read 2 Parallels Desktop reviews

4,925 Views
4,925 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

Read 25 Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) reviews

1,565 Views
1,487 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Parallels Desktop

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) and Parallels Desktop compete in the virtualization space, targeting different users. RAS appeals to businesses focusing on application access, while Desktop offers a virtual environment on Mac, excelling in features that users find valuable despite cost.

Features: RAS provides secure remote access, load balancing, and a seamless desktop experience, ideal for enterprises. Desktop offers flexibility to run Windows alongside macOS, ensuring robust integration and performance, catering to individuals with diverse needs.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: RAS is designed for smooth enterprise-scale deployments with comprehensive support maintaining business flow. Desktop offers a user-friendly setup for personal use, supported by tailored customer service.

Pricing and ROI: RAS is known for cost-effective deployment with scalable resource management enhancing business ROI. Desktop requires higher investment but delivers strong ROI for individual cross-platform use.

To learn more, read our detailed Parallels Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Parallels Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

July 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

Parallels Desktop

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

6th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Parallels Remote Applicatio...

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

10th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Virtualization (4th)

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category, the mindshare of Parallels Desktop is 13.4%, up from 9.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is 2.4%, up from 2.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Featured Reviews

Grant-Donald

Information Security Consultant at Excellenta

It integrates seamlessly with macOS, but it's not compatible with VMware

Parallels Desktop does the same thing as VMware but for Apple users Parallels Desktop integrates seamlessly with macOS. It works better than VMware on Apple operating systems. The biggest challenge is compatibility between VMware and Parallels because the two systems are incompatible. It can be…

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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.

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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

"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."

"The connection is compressed so we don't need a lot of resources to run it."

"It provides flexible access to Windows applications from many types of devices."

"Simplicity of the interface is a valuable feature."

"The solution is powerful, and it has good speed and performance."

"Valuable features include the ability to set up security groups for accessing certain apps, and the ability to add apps easily and centrally without touching the servers they’re hosted on."

"It is a stable solution."

"You have the opportunity to virtualize applications in different locations. Everything is in one pane or one window, which is quite good."

"The stability is ok - once I finished the setup, the system was quite stable."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pros

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."

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

"A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS."

"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."

"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."

"Improvement is needed in performance monitoring of the client's endpoint, and automatic re-connection of the client in the event of circuit disruptions (this works well generally but can present challenges)."

"Opening a ticket should be available from the actual RAS console. It is cumbersome to go to a portal, hunt around for five minutes for a link to open a ticket, answer questions meant to direct you towards FAQs instead of live support, then fill out information (license #, version #, etc.) which could more easily be supplied by sending a ticket straight from the console with all of that information automatically specified."

"If the solution crashes, then all the customers connected through that agent, lose their session."

"The product does not utilize SQL for reporting purposes. Also, it does not support some hypervisors similar to Citrix. These particular areas need improvement."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"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."

"Just compare it to Citrix and you will see the value in it."

"Pricing is a little steep."

"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."

"Parallels is a cost effective alternative to Citrix."

"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 don't like the subscription model because it feels like I have to pay every month. If Parallels could go back to the professional license, it would be much better."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

14%

Computer Software Company

14%

University

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Parallels Desktop?

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.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Parallels Desktop?

If you want the standard version, it is more expensive but more advanced. You get what you pay for. These products cost money, and the company has to make a profit.

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What needs improvement with Parallels Desktop?

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.

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What do you like most about Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)?

The solution is powerful, and it has good speed and performance.

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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...

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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 77% of the time

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Compared 13% of the time

Azure Virtual Desktop vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 2% of the time

Horizon 8 vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 2% of the time

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs Parallels Desktop

Compared 1% of the time

More Parallels Desktop Competitors

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

Compared 24% of the time

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

Compared 22% of the time

Horizon 8 vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 10% of the time

VMware Workstation vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 7% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 6% of the time

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

June 2025

Download Parallels Desktop product report

Buyer's Guide

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

July 2025

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) report

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Also Known As

No data available

Parallels RAS

Overview

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software for Mac that allows users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems alongside macOS without rebooting. It provides a seamless experience for users who need access to different operating systems on a single machine.

As a powerful cross-platform solution, Parallels Desktop is designed for developers, testers, and users who require flexibility in operating multiple systems concurrently. It efficiently manages resources, offering significant advantages for those who need Windows applications on a Mac without compromising on performance. Its intuitive setup and strong integration with macOS make it highly appealing to technical teams looking for productivity enhancements.

What features stand out in Parallels Desktop?

Coherence Mode: Integrates Windows applications with macOS for a unified user experience.
Resource Allocation: Allows users to fine-tune resources dedicated to each virtual machine for optimal performance.
Cross-Platform Data Transfer: Enables easy sharing of files and data between operating systems.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Increased Productivity: Seamless access to Windows applications on Mac can enhance workflow efficiency.
Cost-Effective Solution: Reduces the need for multiple devices, saving on hardware costs.
Improved Flexibility: Offers the ability to run testing environments on a single device, increasing operational flexibility.

In industries like software development and design, Parallels Desktop is often implemented to streamline operations, allowing professionals to simultaneously utilize macOS and Windows tools. This adaptability proves essential in environments that demand the use of diverse software applications, ensuring continuity and productivity.

Parallels

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

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

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

Parallels Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

July 2025

Free Report: Parallels Desktop vs. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

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