Parallels Desktop icon
Parallels Desktop icon

Parallels Desktop

Virtualization software for running Windows, Linux, and other OSes on Mac. Supports Windows 11 on Apple Silicon, resource adjustments, and seamless app access and file sharing between OS environments.

Parallels Desktop screenshot 1

Cost / License

  • Subscription
  • Proprietary

Application type

Platforms

  • Mac
Parallels Desktop screenshot 1
Parallels Desktop screenshot 2
+6
Parallels Desktop screenshot 3
Alternatives  
148likes
57alternatives
10articles
Save

Features

  1.  Run Windows software
  2.  Virtualization
  3.  Support for Apple M1
  4.  Drag and Drop
  5.  Works Offline
  6.  Ad-free
  7.  Support for Multiple Monitors
  8.  Compatibility Layer
  9. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Microsoft Office integration

 Tags

Parallels Desktop News & Activities

Highlights All activities

Recent News

Recent activities

Comments and Reviews

   
Top Positive Comment
OmgItsTheSmartGuy
1

In case you don't know, "Coherence" mode is a feature in Parallel Desktops that simulates running Windows apps natively in OS X. Appearance-wise, it's sort of like Wine in Linux, except that it works with everything and it's a whole lot easier to configure.

I'll admit that I found Coherence mode to be rather trippy the first time I used it, but once you get used to seeing the Windows Task Manager pop up a few times over Finder, the whole thing is actually really, really cool.

P.S. I recommend turning off "Crystal Mode", which shares your Windows apps with your Mac while you're running Coherence Mode. That sounds nice, but it's not really well implemented. Basically, it just adds a couple (hundred) .exe files to your LaunchPad, so that it becomes impossible to find anything.

EDIT: In VMWare Fusion, this is called Unity Mode. It works about as well.

disembowelingADware
Replying to @OmgItsTheSmartGuy

like Wine in Linux, except

except a hefty price tag

Kelson V
0

Stable and fast, and makes it super-easy to set up a Windows or Linux VM on your Mac. Host/guest integration is solid, and auto-updates as needed, as long as you stick with the major distros it supports (Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu and Kali).

Downsides:

  • It's a paid subscription.
  • Getting non-supported guests to work can be dicey. I've gotten it to run other Linux distros, but not any BSD variants, and immutable distros don't work with the host integration.
  • Emulating different hardware is...experimental at this time.
disembowelingADware
3

Unless you already know exactly why parallels meets your corporate, multi-site needs, there is no reason to invest money exploring this option.

In the last four years there has been explosive growth in virtualization on both server farms ("the cloud"), and end user appliances as evidenced in on-chip support in consumer intel lines.

Also popular spy technique for NSA relies on native hardware virtualization and "always on" internets access even while computer is "off"

Consider unplugging computer when it is "off" to be off.

User8860227
0

Make sure you have enough RAM before do virtualization!

OmgItsTheSmartGuy
2

I get a popup from Parallels Desktop asking me to register every time I reboot my computer, and it's annoying as hell. Here's how to disable it. http://forum.parallels.com/showpost.php?p=441726&postcount=5

docandreore
0

Worked great for me since version 4. Latest version 6 is even faster and much better. I never tried Fusion, so I have no idea if it is any better than Parallels, but I did try VirtualBox and I could not even install Windows XP on that. Parallels all the way for me.

ShiroiSame
1

Parallels 5 completely freeze my MacBook! I'll move to vmware...

Featured in Lists

macOS Apps I use

A list with 43 apps by deadman36g_ without a description.
By deadman36g_43 appsUpdated

Best of MAC Software

A list with 139 apps by boniaditya without a description.
By boniaditya139 appsUpdated

APPS - BEGIN curated by colin the catalyst

This is a list curated for the purpose of helping to choose the software/ applications (apps) that should be considered at the initial phase i.e. a new or restored device (Mobile Phone, Tablet, Computer/ Laptop, VR/ MR Headset). The list is based on continuous research, testing and feedback that is intended to help you create an experience that aligns with the goals of your life/ workflow. The research began in 1992 and has included scenario's that consider living conditions guided by the exploration of the three-world model. (The range of countries is currently limited as it requires continued research while factoring in limited time to test, implement and ongoing refinement.) The list has been curated using a custom time saving processes designed by colin the catalyst that considers a range of life/ work styles. The sub-categories for this list include the following: • OPERATING SYSTEM • INTERNET BROWSER • APP BROWSER • FILES • REMOTE ACCESS • END
By Colin the Catalyst78 appsUpdated

Official Links

AppStores & Other Links

Download from Mac App Store
Page may contain affiliate links. Affiliate links never affect ranking.

What is Parallels Desktop?

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization program that allows Windows and Windows-based applications to run on Mac systems. It enables the simultaneous operation of macOS, Windows, and Linux on a single device. As the first Microsoft-approved partner for running Windows on a Mac with Apple silicon, Parallels Desktop supports Windows 11 on Apple silicon Mac systems.

Key features include playing popular Windows games, running Windows 11 on Arm Pro and Enterprise via Apple Silicon on Mac, access to Windows apps like Microsoft Office 365, Excel, and PowerPoint. It supports both Intel-based and ARM-based Macs, and is compatible with the latest macOS and Windows versions. Users can adjust resources allocated to the Virtual Machine (VM) such as CPU, GPU, and RAM for better performance.

Parallels Desktop offers various viewing options, including making Windows invisible while using its applications or setting Windows in full screen. It facilitates the transfer of files and images between Windows and Mac apps, and users can directly access and open files stored on the Mac within the Windows environment. It also supports the playing of classic Windows-exclusive games on the Mac.

Parallels Desktop Videos

Parallels Desktop information

AlternativeTo Categories

Network & Admin, OS & Utilities

Popular alternatives

View all

Top Parallels Desktop apps (extensions / mods etc)

View all

Our users have written 7 comments and reviews about Parallels Desktop, and it has gotten 148 likes

Parallels Desktop was added to AlternativeTo by Drdul on and this page was last updated . Parallels Desktop is sometimes referred to as Parallels, Parallels Desktop Lite.