Parallels Desktop vs Workspace ONE UEM comparison

Parallels and Omnissa are both solutions in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category. Parallels is ranked #7, while Omnissa is ranked #8 with an average rating of 6.9. Parallels holds a 5.9% mindshare in VD, compared to Omnissa’s 2.5% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Parallels users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 84% of Omnissa users who would recommend it.

Parallels Desktop

Read 2 Parallels Desktop reviews

4,961 Views
4,961 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Workspace ONE UEM

Read 102 Workspace ONE UEM reviews

9,478 Views
1,422 Comparison Views

84% willing to recommend

Parallels Desktop

Workspace ONE UEM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Parallels Desktop and Workspace ONE UEM target different technology needs with Parallels focusing on virtualization and Workspace ONE on unified endpoint management. Workspace ONE might be superior due to comprehensive features, but Parallels receives better feedback on pricing and support.

Features: Parallels Desktop offers seamless integration with Windows on Mac, drag-and-drop functionality, and valued resource management. Workspace ONE UEM focuses on comprehensive device management across operating systems, emphasizing security and configuration management. The key difference is Parallels' virtualization efficiency versus Workspace ONE's robust endpoint capabilities.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Parallels Desktop is praised for a straightforward installation process and efficient customer support, accessible for small to medium operations. Workspace ONE UEM requires more complex deployment with IT involvement but offers extensive customer service tailored to large-scale enterprises. The difference lies in Parallels' simplicity versus Workspace ONE's scalability.

Pricing and ROI: Parallels Desktop provides an affordable setup with a quick ROI due to simplicity and support. Workspace ONE UEM involves a higher initial cost with a greater long-term ROI from enhanced management capabilities. Parallels appeals with lower costs and faster returns, while Workspace ONE justifies its pricing through comprehensive management tools.

To learn more, read our detailed Parallels Desktop vs. Workspace ONE UEM Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Parallels Desktop vs. Workspace ONE UEM

February 2026

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Helped 883,026 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

Parallels Desktop

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

7th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Workspace ONE UEM

Ranking in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

8th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

102

Ranking in other categories

Remote Access (10th), Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) (5th), Identity and Access Management as a Service (IDaaS) (IAMaaS) (16th), Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) category, the mindshare of Parallels Desktop is 5.9%, down from 15.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Workspace ONE UEM is 2.5%, down from 2.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Parallels Desktop	5.9%
Workspace ONE UEM	2.5%
Other	91.6%

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Featured Reviews

Mark Hardy

Payments Architect at Self Employed

A great platform to develop interoperable code on

The decision to transition away from Intel chips to their silicon. They are processing, and there are many examples. Instead of not having a product to use for a while, they have just released it now. However, if you're seeking a product that is industry-ready regularly or has plans to make it so, considering the upcoming changes, I recommend trying out Parallels Desktop in beta. When you're only dealing with Windows, we do much in the Windows version, but it is not improving the Windows operating system. If you're hosting a Windows platform or another version of the machine, the code will have limitations. Windows is not a walled garden, with no significant volatility or instability. Windows is quite versatile. I never encountered intrusive ads or unused features, which is quite good. Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Read full review

Vishal Bhatia

Trainer/Consultant at Koenig Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Effective product tracking and monitoring enhances daily operations despite needing documentation improvement

The documentation part of Workspace ONE UEM can be confusing. The documentation is not comprehensive compared to other VMware solutions or Microsoft documentation. Most people struggle to connect the dots when looking at the documentation. Even the training material and PowerPoint slide decks that trainers use are sometimes too confusing or overwhelming, with too much content but not enough clarity. The support side has recently become weaker compared to what it used to be with VMware. This is another area that needs improvement. Since working with Workspace ONE UEM from when it was AirWatch, it has improved significantly over the last five years. However, there are still some gray areas and scope for improvement, especially in documentation and workflow between different aspects of the solution.

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 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."

"It helps the end users to work on the road without needing to set up all kinds of VPN connections"

"It is a stable solution. I would rate the stability a ten out of ten."

"The product offers integration capabilities with third-party solutions."

"Its value is when you use it with a Workspace ONE UEM solution as it is part of the ecosystem for VMware Workspace ONE."

"AirWatch has one of the best User Interfaces and it's quite easy to figure out where particular items are within the menu system."

"The solution has very good documentation."

"The most valuable feature is the interface with SCAP, which is the Security Content Automation Protocol."

"The product has fully automated features that help people do tasks easily."

More Workspace ONE UEM pros

Cons

"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."

"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."

"VMware Workspace ONE should allow certain common settings and restrictions across multiple operating systems."

"I would like to have better support for multi-cloud sessions."

"The portal is not user-friendly."

"Cost of licensing is quite high."

"The initial setup is a bit complex."

"Integration with Microsoft needs improvement. There are some dependencies with Microsoft that aren't 100% yet, for example: compliance synchronization."

"Its performance is quite good on Apple phones or even mid-range phones. If you install an AirWatch on a phone that is not too powerful, you will have performance issues. That's only because the phone is not too powerful, and there is not enough memory, etc. They could do a lighter version for a less powerful phone. It would also be useful for very small companies that don't want to spend money on expensive phones. Having said that, I don't think that is their target market. If their target market is enterprise, all enterprises perhaps have an agreement with Google or Apple, and they would get a phone that has already been tested, and they know that AirWatch will work on that phone."

"I would like to see some integration with native Microsoft products such as Anti-value."

More Workspace ONE UEM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"Depending on the requirements of users, there is a need to make yearly payments towards the licensing costs attached to the product."

"VMware Workspace ONE is not cheap; it's quite expensive. However, in the end, they gave us a reasonable price."

"The pricing and licensing are affordable. They are not too high."

"The solution runs at roughly around $36/user for a year."

"If you purchase it for one year, it is very expensive. If you get it for three years or up to five years, then you can bargain a better price."

"For the moment, we have a multi-year contract, meaning that we cannot go with a different solution at this time even if the price should prove more favorable."

"Our organization has stopped using the solution because it was expensive."

"All licenses from VMware are only yearly. They start with a yearly license and look for a three-year commitment and yearly PO."

More Workspace ONE UEM pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

14%

Computer Software Company

12%

University

10%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	41
Midsize Enterprise	21
Large Enterprise	58

Questions from the Community

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How does Microsoft Intune compare with VMware Workspace One?

Microsoft Intune is a great tool for managing a mobile device fleet while keeping access control. The solution makes it easy to control security and manage the usage of mobile apps when you have a ...

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How does VMware Workspace One compare with VMware Horizon 7?

VMware Workspace One has a powerful set of helpful features. The solution offers very good documentation, the initial setup is easy, and the product is very stable and reliable. I think the fact th...

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What do you like most about VMware Workspace ONE?

The platform provides a stable environment for operations and quickly creates new environments. Additionally, it offers efficient flexibility.

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 50% of the time

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Compared 11% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Compared 21% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

January 2026

Download Parallels Desktop product report

Buyer's Guide

Workspace ONE UEM

February 2026

Download Workspace ONE UEM product report

Also Known As

No data available

VMware Workspace ONE, VMware AirWatch, Workspace ONE Assist, VMware Identity Manager, Workspace ONE Access, VMware Horizon Air

Overview

Parallels Desktop optimizes the virtualization experience on Mac, catering to professionals needing dual OS capabilities for seamless integration.

Designed for Mac users seeking efficient virtualization, Parallels Desktop enables Windows applications to run alongside macOS without rebooting. It integrates smoothly with current workflows, offering robust performance and comprehensive connectivity, supporting diverse professional needs.

What are its key features?

Coherence Mode: Effortlessly blend Windows and macOS applications for a unified desktop experience.
Resource Allocation: Dynamic adjustment of CPU and RAM helps maintain performance based on your tasks.
Seamless Integration: Easily access Mac files from Windows applications, ensuring fluid cross-platform interactions.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Increased Productivity: Simultaneously run multiple operating systems, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
Enhanced Compatibility: Access various applications, broadening tool availability across platforms.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces costs by eliminating the need for additional hardware or separate setups.

Parallels Desktop transforms industry practices by enabling diverse sectors such as education and finance to optimize software use without disruptions. In education, it supports a wide range of applications needed for enhanced learning experiences. Financial firms utilize dual systems for versatile data management and analysis.

Parallels

VMware Workspace ONE is an intelligence-driven digital workspace platform that delivers any app on any device. It integrates access control, multi-platform endpoint management, and application management. With the VMware Workspace ONE platform, IT teams can deliver a digital workspace that includes the devices and apps of the company’s choice, but with security and control.

VMware Workspace ONE is available:

As a cloud service
On-premises
Hybrid

VMware Workspace ONE Key Features

Simple app authentication: VMware Workspace ONE allows end-users to have password-less single sign-on, giving them access to virtually any app (mobile apps, web apps, cloud apps, and Windows apps).
Unified Endpoint Management options: VMware Workspace ONE aims to support all devices, offering convenience, access, security, and management that will work for any business.
Conditional access: VMware Workspace ONE provides a powerful policy engine to help you make dynamic decisions regarding end-user access rights and to protect sensitive information.
Automated app management: With VMware Workspace ONE the application delivery process can be automated, which improves security and compliance. Software packages can be automatically installed, updated, and removed, and automated workflows can also be created.

VMware Workspace ONE Benefits

Some of the benefits of using VMware Workspace ONE include:

Less IT intervention necessary: Because VMware Workspace ONE has simple app authentication, end-users can help themselves by selecting the applications they need rather than having IT intervene.
Smoother employee onboarding: Transform employee onboarding by enabling self-service access to the apps your end-users need to complete their job duties.
Compliance: VMware Workspace ONE helps end-users reach compliance by using advanced device restrictions.
Real-time visibility: You can have real-time visibility with application, device, and console events that provide detailed information for system monitoring. You can also view logs in the console or export pre-defined reports.

Workspace ONE Components

Workspace ONE Access
Workspace ONE UEM
VMware Workspace ONE® Intelligence
VMware Unified Access Gateway
Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub

Reviews from Real Users

Below is some feedback from our PeerSpot users who are currently using the solution:

PeerSpot user Patrick B., Cybersecurity Architect at a tech services company, says, "Its UI is extremely easy to use whether you're an advanced user or a novice user. When I first opened it up and had to learn the product, I was easily a novice. By the end of the third month, I was digging into the backend of the system and using it as a highly advanced user to accomplish what I needed to accomplish, and I was able to do it through the UI mostly."

Roshan T., Partner Manager North America at a tech company, mentions how satisfied he is with the product, saying, "You can put all your applications on a mobile device, be it a phone or tablet. It is secure and easy to use. Because it is centrally managed, you don't have to do any configuration on the phone. I just got the phone and connected to the central applications. I just downloaded one thing and everything got rolled out. Email, calendar, and other things were deployed centrally. If you don't have AirWatch, you have to configure your phone manually. For example, you need to deploy and configure your email manually and then synchronize everything. It is much simpler when a mobile device is centrally managed."

Omnissa

Sample Customers

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

Australian Sports Commission, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Lomond School, Merck, United Bank, Medical College of Wisconsin, Latymer Upper School, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Dowling Aaron Inc., Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Harrogate Grammar School, Duke University Football, Delta Air Lines, Adventist Health System, Giochi Preziosi, Cramlington Learning Village, Intermountain Healthcare, Safexpress, TAG Aviation

Buyer's Guide

Parallels Desktop vs. Workspace ONE UEM

February 2026

Free Report: Parallels Desktop vs. Workspace ONE UEM

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