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  3. Parallels RAS
Logo of Parallels RAS

Parallels RAS

byParallels
in
4.5
Market Presence: Desktop as a Service, Server Virtualization (Transitioning to Server Virtualization Platforms)

Overview

Product Information on Parallels RAS

Updated 2nd June 2025

What is Parallels RAS?

Parallels RAS (remote application server) is a flexible, simple and secure virtual application and desktop delivery solution that empowers organizations of all sizes to work from anywhere, on any device.

Parallels RAS Pricing

Parallels RAS Product Images

Unparalleled user experience
Unparalleled user experience
High flexibility
High flexibility
Simplified IT administration
Simplified IT administration

Overall experience with Parallels RAS

Project Manager
500M - 1B USD, Consumer Goods
FAVORABLE

“Best-in-class solution for running Windows on macOS, especially on Apple Silicon”

4.0
Jan 28, 2026
Parallels Desktop has consistently delivered an excellent virtualization experience on macOS, especially on Apple Silicon. It enables seamless use of Windows applications alongside macOS's strong performance, stability, and ease of use. Setup and daily operation are straightforward, and integration between macOS and Windows feels mature and well thought out. While licensing costs and some limitations related to ARM compatibility exist, Parallels remains the most polished and reliable solution for running Windows on a Mac
SOLUTION ARCHITECT & TEAM LEADER
50M - 250M USD, IT Services
CRITICAL

“Parallels RAS Streamlines RDS Setup Yet Raises Overall Implementation Costs”

3.0
Jan 30, 2026
Parallels RAS simplifies RDS deployments but elevates costs. In general it is agile and easy to implement, but its own marketing strategy really relies on pushing the customer into the wrong idea that Microsoft CALs are not needed.

About Company

Company Details

Updated 14th April 2025
Year Founded
1999
Head office location
Canada
Website
https://www.parallels.com/

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Key Insights

A Snapshot of What Matters - Based on Validated User Reviews

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Peer Discussions

Parallels RAS Reviews and Ratings

4.5

(77 Ratings)

Rating Distribution

5 Star
48%
4 Star
47%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Why ratings and reviews count differ?

Customer Experience

Evaluation & Contracting

4.3

Integration & Deployment

4.6

Service & Support

4.4

Product Capabilities

4.5

Filter Reviews
Sort By:
Most helpful
Last 12 Months
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Reviewer Type
Reviewer's Company Size
Reviewer's Industry
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Reviewer's Job Function
  • Project Manager
    50M-1B USD
    Consumer Goods
    Review Source

    Best-in-class solution for running Windows on macOS, especially on Apple Silicon

    4.0
    Jan 28, 2026
    Parallels Desktop has consistently delivered an excellent virtualization experience on macOS, especially on Apple Silicon. It enables seamless use of Windows applications alongside macOS's strong performance, stability, and ease of use. Setup and daily operation are straightforward, and integration between macOS and Windows feels mature and well thought out. While licensing costs and some limitations related to ARM compatibility exist, Parallels remains the most polished and reliable solution for running Windows on a Mac
  • ENGINEERING MANAGER
    <50M USD
    IT Services
    Review Source

    Great versatility in integration for the virtualization of your applications.

    4.0
    Feb 3, 2026
    Excellent application virtualization (similar to competing solutions). High availability thanks to the pool of servers hosting the applications, with load balancing. Compatible with legacy applications that require enhanced security.
    Automated Translation from Spanish
  • It Associate
    50M-1B USD
    Miscellaneous
    Review Source

    Practical use of Parallels RAS for digital signatures in a Mac environment.

    5.0
    Apr 9, 2026
    I primarily use Parallels for digital signatures that aren't compatible with macOS. The solution allows for fast and stable access to a remote Windows desktop. It works well for everyday use, but sometimes the configuration and settings can be less intuitive.
    Automated Translation from Portuguese
  • Engineer
    <50M USD
    IT Services
    Review Source

    This economical and efficient tool faces challenges in technical support and hardware.

    5.0
    Jan 21, 2026
    A simple and cost-effective solution that works well. It's an easy-to-install and configure tool. Deployment and configuration take little time, and it's ready for production.
    Automated Translation from Spanish
  • It Associate
    Gov't/PS/Ed
    Education
    Review Source

    Reliable and efficient solution for testing and managing computers.

    5.0
    Feb 12, 2026
    The software is reliable, intuitive and provides great visibility into many devices. It allows me to create a virtual lab environment efficiently and monitor multiple machines at once. It has streamlined our testing processes and improved productivity across the IT team.
...
Showing Result 1-5 of 84

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User Sentiment About Parallels RAS
Reviewer Insights for: Parallels RAS
Deciding Factors: Parallels RAS Vs. Market Average
Performance of Parallels RAS Across Market Features

Parallels RAS Likes & Dislikes

Like

1) Excellent performance on Apple silicon Parallels delivers smooth and responsible Windows 11 performance on M-series Macs, even for professional applications. 2) Seamless macOS and Windows integration Features like Coherence mode, shared clipboard, drag-and-drop, shared folders, and file associations make Windows apps feel native on macOS. 3) Very easy setup and user experience Installing Windows and configuring a VM is simple, even for non-experts, with sensible defaults and automation. 4) Strong stability and reliability The VM environment is stable for daily professional use, including long sessions and frequent suspend/resume cycles.

Like

It is very easy to implement and maintain. The UX is really fluid and simple to use. Parallels licensing is straightforward in its proposition.

Like

Of particular note are the reports on the usage of virtualized applications and the resource consumption of the servers hosting the applications. This feature allows you to accurately size the farm and the license pool.

Automated Translation from Spanish
Dislike

1) Subscription-based licensing cost Ongoing subscription pricing may be perceived as expensive for occasional users. 2) ARM compatibility limitations Some Windows applications or drivers that depends on x86 architecture may not be fully compatible on Apple Silicon. 3) Limited enterprise management features Parallels is excellent for individual or small-team use but lack centralized management compared to entreprise hypervisors 4) Dependence on Microsoft Windows licensing Users must separately manage Windows licensing, which can add complexity.

Dislike

Their position in terms of Microsoft CAL is not clear enough. It's based on the RDP protocol which lacks some functionalities of newer (even Microsoft) protocols.

Dislike

The least appealing aspect of the solution is upgrading to newer versions. It's not possible to do it on the fly, so services must be stopped, causing significant problems for users. This has been the Partner Support's standard operating procedure.

Automated Translation from Spanish