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Parallels Desktop For Mac
Global leader in cross-platform solutions, providing virtualization tools
4.4
(55)
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Parallels Desktop For Mac Reviews & Product Details

Parallels Desktop For Mac Overview
What is Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Parallels is a virtualization software that allows users to run multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, simultaneously on a single hardware platform without rebooting. It's commonly used on Mac computers to run Windows applications, providing a seamless integration between the two operating systems.

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Parallels Desktop For Mac Product Details
Segment
Small Business
Mid Market
Ease of use
Beginner
Deployment Desktop Mac
Support Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum
Training Documentation
Languages English
Parallels Desktop For Mac Features
Access Controls/Permissions
Audio Support
Bandwidth Optimization
Chat
Clipboard Synchronization
Cross-Platform Access
Custom Branding
Customizable User Interface
File Transfer
Instant Messaging
Integrations
Mobile Access
Multi-Monitor Navigation
Multi-Session Handling
Remote Printing
Remote Reboot
Role-Based Permissions
Screen Sharing
Scripting
Security Compliance
Session Recording
Session Timeout
Session Transfer
Two-Factor Authentication
Unattended Access
Usage Reporting
User Management
Video Support
Wake-On-LAN
Whiteboard
Parallels Desktop For Mac Media
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Last updated: December 25, 2024
Parallels Desktop For Mac Logo
55 Parallels Desktop For Mac Reviews
4.4 out of 5
Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Jul 15, 2020
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Parallels Desktop for macOS"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Speed. Extremely fast boot of virtual machines

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Actually nothing. Used for many years and have not encountered any problems using it

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

Development of Windows Application. Faster than competitors and easier to use

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Oct 04, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Excellent Virtual Desktop when Windows is Required"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

It can function in it's own window or integrated with MacOS. It saves it's state well, and can read files back and forth with MacOS. It starts quickly and I have not found any major limitations in function as of yet. Installing programs is easy, can be done from MacOS or Windows.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I have not tested high performance 3D graphics, or any development applications so I cannot speak to how well it would work in those scenarios. Note that a product key for Windows is also required, not included in the cost of Parallels software, which is substantial.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

It allows be to run software required for school/work that is only available for Windows, without having to reboot my Mac to boot with Windows.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Mar 01, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Review of Parallels Desktop for Mac"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I like the ability to be able to run Windows programs and apps directly on my MacBook Pro and that I can easily switch between the two operating systems quickly and without having to shut down either system or programs that I am running in them. This allows me to use programs on the Windows OS that are not available with Mac and then integrate the work that Ive done into projects that I am working on my Mac.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I would like there to be a better pricing option on the Parallels program because I only need to use it for specific tasks on certain projects.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

I am able to utilize Windows based software and applications that are unavailable for the Mac OS and then incorporate them into projects that I am working on and this has allowed me to expand the services I can offer my clients.

Mid Market (51-1000 emp.)
Feb 28, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Efficient and Collaborative"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

The fact that I could switch between OS and WIndows was amazing. Being able to run my windows based applications while still retaining my OS applications made myself and team extremely more efficient. This tool coupled with Mac allowed us to upgrade our tech stack across the organization.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Not much that I didn't dislike about this product. However, its worth noting that the applications I ran didn't require much power rather they were legacy systems.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

Due to the fact that my org specialized in state and federal grants we were required to use quite a few legacy systems. On the other hand our partners were highly tech advanced and required quite a bit of processing power for us. Parrallels solved this problem for us by allowing us to access the systems while helping accelerate the learning curve for a staff whose medium age was mid 50's.

Mid Market (51-1000 emp.)
Feb 28, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Awesome Tool for Mac users "
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

This application is so much more powerful than boot camp. It allowed me to execute applications in internet explorer in record time.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

It’s hard to say I disliked anything. Most of the applications I ran weren’t the most ram or power intensive.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

Our office is Mac based, but our systems were windows based. Our business deals with state and federal grants. As a result many times We are forced to deal with “antiquated” systems.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Feb 22, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Parallels for Mac is hands down amazing"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I love that I can run Parallels on my Mac and and it runs seamlessly and you wouldn't even know that it was running. You can start programs up and not have to worry if you booted under PC/Mac. I love it

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I truly can't figure anything I don't like about Parallels. It works amazing!

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

I use Mac for most of all my work but a few things need to be ran on a PC and this helps it out without having 2 computers!

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Feb 22, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Parallels for Mac Is Amazing"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I couldn't survive without Parallels on my Mac. What we do involves a lot of Mac computers and some Pc and this helps to not have multiples

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I truly don't dislike anything, except for sometimes booting up takes a few seconds

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

Not having to own multiple types of computers!

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Feb 21, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"One of the Best VM's out there"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Of all the VM software I've used, it's been the most intuitive from the start. The graphics are also really good, which makes a huge difference when checking web responsiveness between Mac and Windows browsers.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

The only issue I've had was switching between screens and it getting confused with my mouse, but even then I was able to configure that so it didn't happen. I don't have a lot of negative things to report.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

I'm currently developing a tool for our communications platform and it requires both Mac and Windows compatibility. I work primarily on a Mac so I need to reference Windows quite a bit in development. It's been a real time saver.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Jun 18, 2020
 Source
Overall Rating:
4.5
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"An easy way to run Windows on your Mac"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Parallels for Mac allows me to easily run window on my computer, giving me the flexibility to run a huge range of applications across both Mac and Windows one device. It was easy to set up using the built-in installer and has been updated throughout the past few years with new features. Once Windows has booted up, I am able to access files saved from both my Mac partition and my Windows partition at the same time, through the Windows operating system in Parallels. This makes it really easy for me to work across multiple documents between the 2 operating systems quickly and easily. In my set-up, the bootable software for Windows is run through an external hard-drive, which was easy to set up using the Parallels guidance information. This gives me the flexibility to have both operating systems available without the requirement to partition a large part of my Mac's internal memory.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

It’s very CPU intensive which can rapidly degrade battery life. It can sometimes lag when used on older Macs, but this is not very often. The programme sometimes sufferers from network connectivity issues which means that the Windows emulator can not connect to the internet or other internet-connected devices, such as wireless printers and other devices on the same shared network.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

I’m able to run a set of software designed only for Windows PC, but on my Mac. This gives me a huge flexibility and also has saved dramatically on the hardware costs of not needing to own 2 separate computers with separate operating systems.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Oct 10, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
4.5
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Must have for professional Mac users"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Fast and flawless use of Windows applications, switching between Mac and Windows

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

License model that requires to purchase annual subscriptions after expiration.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

I required native support for Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint and Excel) and Parallels was a perfect solution - I can create presentations and spreadsheets like on a native Windows machine.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Mar 10, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
4.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Parallels review "
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I love the fact that I can use a pc on my Mac to do scripting but mainly work from my Mac

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

I don’t like the the cost of the product when there are similar free versions now out there

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

I use it so that I can script in both operating systems

Mid Market (51-1000 emp.)
Jun 15, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
3.5
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"beginner user to access windows apps for remote nonprofit organization"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

i like that this program exists because there are some softwares and plugins that are only available on windows (such as fuzzy lookup in excel, which was made by windows developers). this allows for more precise approximate data matching, which isnt possible with excel otherwise

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

once i open excel files with parallels, ive found that it will auto default to open parallels. its very annoying and hard to change back permanently without accidently triggering it. it can also crash my computer when loading. I have included a screenshot in the attribution for reference.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

I am solving data issues that I cannot otherwise use on Mac. I have had the benefits of being able to use any software regardless of compatibility.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Dec 18, 2023
 Source
Overall Rating:
3.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"parallels on Mac Pros and cons"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

It great as you can use PC software on a amc rather than having to have two computers. you can alos have the mac running at the same time to swtich between things eg photoshop- NED graphics.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

its slow and i think you have to use half of your mac memory to run the programme so it rreally slows down both interfaces. it also takesges to update and restart or close down the programme.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

can use NED graphics for drisigning as this programme does not operate on a mac interface. makes design much easier for cleanign artworks etc

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Jun 14, 2022
 Source
Overall Rating:
1.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Parallels is no longer useful on my M1-based Mac"
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

Parallels used to be my go-to way to run a couple of Windows apps on an occasional basis. I made the mistake of "upgrading" Parallels when I got an M1-based Mac and it orphaned all of my VMs with no way to recover them or their data. Parallels lost its place in my Dock and I am not even sure why I bother to have it on my Mac any longer.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

It no longer works on my M1-based Mac. Actually, it "works," in that it loads, it just can no longer access any of the VMs I had or provide any useful service to me.

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

Parallels no longer solves a problem for me, unless that problem is that I have too much money and too much free disk space. It does not benefit me at all any longer.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Jun 18, 2019
 Source
Overall Rating:
1.0
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"horrible."
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

none... literally loved it at first, but after 2 weeks, I begged IT to give me VM back since it either would not let me connect or it wouldn't slide to my secondary screen (being a video editor,having video on my secondary screen- my biggest screen, was kind of important)

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop For Mac?

we use this specifically for iNews and most of us either can no longer slide it to our secondary screens or log in... it worked at first, but after 2 weeks, the problems began

What problems is Parallels Desktop For Mac solving and how is that benefiting you?

moved back to virtual machine which has its own problems, but at least we can access the one program we need to put a newscast together

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