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.

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."

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

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

"We use Cloudpaging to package and deploy the vast majority of our applications to our standard Windows 10 desktops. With the use of Parallels integration into Software2 AppsAnywhere hub, this means we can use the same packages to deliver Windows applications to almost any device - Windows, mac OS, iOS, Android, Linux, Xbox One, PS4 - just by ticking a box."

"Simplicity of the interface is a valuable feature."

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

"Allows us to publish applications accessible by current-generation HTML5 browser or OS-specific client (Windows, Android, iOS), and it supports popular single sign-on and multi-factor authentication protocols."

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

"The most valuable feature is the ease with which you can publish applications to different groups of users, by integrating with Windows Active Directory."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) 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."

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

"We use several gateways because access to our secret zone requires two-factor user authentication. It is a lot of hassle differentiating among users with or without two-factor. Of course, we could use two farms, but that would mean more management too."

"Currently in the RD Session Hosts – Sessions section, I can see what server a user is logged into but not what app he is using. Being able to do so would be immensely helpful when a non-technical user is complaining of issues, but I can’t tell which app he is using, and he is actually logged into multiple servers since they serve multiple apps."

"It would be great if there were more sophisticated GPO templates/options."

"The customization of the web interface could possibly use some improvement. Little things, like being able to place a background image instead of just choosing from a palette of colors, would be nice."

"HALB is not stable in our environment. When running two HALBs we have stability problems, so we use an active one and a passive for backup. Also, it would be nice to implement an upgrade of the environment without having to stop the servers. As it is, this must be done during off-hours."

"A web-based management interface for administration and reporting would be nice, instead of needing to log into a remote server."

"The main issue we have with all of our users is printing. Randomly, a printer will disconnect or someone won't connect to it and I will have to reset the print service and then nobody can print. That's the big headache we've had over the course of the five years."

More Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"It is not that high. It is in the medium range. Of course, it could be lower, but the price is not the issue."

"The product is not expensive. I rate its pricing a three or four out of ten."

"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."

"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."

"It is inexpensive compared to one of its competitors."

"I recommend testing Parallels and comparing it to your needs. Compare the prices against what you are able to do with the product and its alternatives. Parallels is not a cheap product."

"I think the new pricing is a little bit high. If the price was lower, we could use it for many more customers. If there was one improvement to be made to this product, it would be a small-business version, at a much lower price point."

"Pricing is a little steep."

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

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

13%

University

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

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.

See all answers

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.

See all answers

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.

See all answers

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...

See all answers

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

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Compared 2% of the time

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

Compared 1% of the time

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Compared 26% of the time

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Compared 25% of the time

Horizon 8 vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 12% of the time

VMware Workstation vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 6% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS)

Compared 5% 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)

June 2025

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) report

Download Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) product report

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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