

Parallels Remote Application Server and VMware Workstation compete in the virtualization and remote application domains. Parallels RAS has the upper hand in pricing and support, whereas VMware Workstation stands out for its superior features.
Features: Parallels RAS offers seamless application delivery, comprehensive cloud integration, and centralized management, making it suitable for organizations needing remote access solutions. VMware Workstation provides robust performance, advanced virtualization features, and broad OS compatibility, making it ideal for developers and testers.
Room for Improvement: Parallels RAS could improve in simplifying deployment processes and enhancing user interface intuitiveness. Additionally, better integration with non-remote access-related tools would be advantageous. VMware Workstation could enhance cost-effectiveness, increase user-friendliness for non-technical users, and improve customer support for advanced technical queries.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: VMware Workstation has a simple installation process known for its reliability, while Parallels RAS involves more complex deployment due to its broad remote capabilities but compensates with extensive support and responsive customer service.
Pricing and ROI: Parallels RAS offers cost-effective solutions presenting strong ROI, appealing for businesses looking for remote access with lower initial costs. VMware Workstation, although pricier, justifies its higher cost through superior features and advanced virtualization options.
For Parallels RAS, the support is rated eight out of ten.
On a scale of one to 10, I would rate their support or customer service a two or three since they never did anything.
The documents provided for Workstation were not hard to understand.
It's a very special way of working with VMware Workstation.
I can start from fifteen users and scale it to nearly any size.
VMware Workstation is scalable enough for larger companies, though it requires some skills.
We are using the network in a very specific way, and this network adapter causes crashes in the VM.
A potential improvement could be reducing the dependency on Microsoft solutions for Parallels RAS.
Eventually, we had to get some licenses with Broadcom, and all the costs went up dramatically.
We faced challenges with backup due to limitations in the free version, requiring us to switch to a paid version.
The problem we are facing with stability is that the network adapter causes crashes of the VM when we're using it for developing purposes.
No additional fees for maintenance or support are required.
In terms of Parallels Desktop, the coherence mode that allows Mac and Windows applications to run seamlessly side by side is highly regarded.
I use it for a test machine for checking emails, so if the email has a virus in it, we can just destroy the machine and create a new one.
VMware Workstation works correctly and has more features compared to Oracle VirtualBox.
Simply being able to run several Windows PCs with different development environments has had the largest impact on our operational efficiency.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| VMware Workstation | 11.2% |
| Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) | 3.3% |
| Other | 85.5% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 15 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 10 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 32 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 15 |
| Large Enterprise | 17 |
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) offers efficient remote application and desktop delivery across diverse devices, providing businesses with easy management and robust performance, ensuring stable and secure access.
RAS simplifies remote access through its user-friendly design, encompassing app publishing, device compatibility, and management capabilities. Users benefit from its HTML 5 Client convenience and impressive speed. With features like security groups and client compatibility, RAS excels in providing a stable and flexible environment. Its scalability across platforms and affordability makes it attractive for many organizations. However, areas such as printing stability, customization, and performance monitoring could benefit from further enhancements.
What are the key features of Parallels RAS?Industry implementations of Parallels RAS include its use as a client gateway and an alternative to Windows RDS. With support for Macs, Windows, Linux, and Android devices, it facilitates application publishing and migration from platforms like VMware. Organizations employ RAS for remote control, VDI, and ERP solutions, improving remote workforce operations and geographic application distribution.
VMware Workstation offers virtualization with a user-friendly approach, allowing multiple OS to run on a single machine. It supports snapshots, backups, and comes with high-quality graphics and USB support, ideal for development and software testing.
VMware Workstation is known for its ease of use, making it a popular choice for both educational and professional environments. Its support for multiple platforms, user-friendly setup for virtual machines, and third-party software compatibility provide a reliable solution for running diverse operating systems simultaneously. Users benefit from features like network virtualization, resource allocation, and folder sharing, providing a streamlined approach to workload management. While it excels in creating isolated virtual environments ideal for testing and development, areas of improvement include resource management, pricing strategies, and comprehensive documentation for non-expert users. Enhancements in performance, stability, and network configuration compatibility, particularly with macOS, could further elevate its standing.
What are the key features of VMware Workstation?Many industries implement VMware Workstation to create streamlined testing environments and manage virtual machines for various development needs. Companies use it to deploy specific configurations securely, offering a robust setup for application testing and management of legacy systems. In education, it allows instructors to showcase system functionalities efficiently, supporting diverse learning objectives.
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