Parallels Desktop

B tier on Virtual machine softwareScore 7.8 · #8 of 26

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: No
Runs on: Linux, Mac, Windows

parallels.com

Summary

Parallels Desktop is virtualization software for running Windows and Linux virtual machines on a Mac, so you can use Windows apps such as Excel, Power BI, Access, and QuickBooks alongside macOS. It supports Intel Macs running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Big Sur 11 or later; Microsoft authorizes it for Windows 11 on Apple Silicon. Virtual machines support snapshots, nested virtualization, and GPU acceleration. Standard allows up to 8 GB of vRAM and 4 vCPUs per VM, while Pro raises those limits to 128 GB and 32 vCPUs. Pro also supports command-line workflows and Jenkins and Vagrant integrations. Business adds centralized administration, license management, and Jamf and Intune deployment integrations; Enterprise includes encrypted VMs under organizational control. Standard and Pro include unlimited phone and email support, and subscribers get 24/7 chat. It is paid, with a 14-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on qualifying direct purchases; renewals are excluded.

Who it is for

Parallels Desktop suits Mac users who need Windows or Linux virtual machines, including people using Windows applications or developers using the Pro integrations. Business and Enterprise features are aimed at organizations managing deployments and virtual machines.

What is good

Runs Windows apps alongside macOS on supported Macs
Snapshots, nested virtualization, and GPU acceleration
Pro supports Jenkins and Vagrant integrations
Business includes centralized administration and license management

What to know first

Paid product; no free plan
Standard VM limit is 8 GB vRAM and 4 vCPUs
30-day guarantee excludes renewals

Verdict

Parallels Desktop brings Windows and Linux virtual machines to supported Macs, with VM limits and management options varying by edition. The 14-day trial offers a way to try it before choosing a paid plan.

Parallels Desktop plans and pricing

All plans

Standard Edition Not published 8 GB vRAM · 4 vCPUs parallels.com · 20 Sept 2026

Pro Edition Not published 128 GB vRAM per VM · 32 vCPUs per VM parallels.com · 20 Sept 2026

Business Edition Not published Centralized administration · License management · CI/CD workflow automation · Mac provisioning tools · Volume licensing parallels.com · 20 Sept 2026

Compared on virtual machine software

Free plan: Noparallels.com
Isolation mode: remoteparallels.com
File transfer controls: Yesparallels.com
Data loss prevention: Yesparallels.com
Deployment model: hybridparallels.com

Facts

Host platforms: macOSparallels.com · 20 Sept 2026
Guest architecture: bothparallels.com · 20 Sept 2026
VM snapshots: Yesparallels.com · 20 Sept 2026
Nested virtualization: Yesparallels.com · 20 Sept 2026
GPU acceleration: Yesparallels.com · 20 Sept 2026
Management interface: desktopparallels.com · 20 Sept 2026
Standard VM Limit: Up to 8 GB vRAM and 4 vCPUs per virtual machineparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Pro VM Limit: Up to 128 GB vRAM and 32 vCPUs per virtual machineparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Free Trial: The page offers a Try free option and sends trial download instructionsparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee for qualifying direct purchases; renewals excludedparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Supported Hosts: Intel Macs with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, and Apple Silicon Macs with macOS Big Sur 11 or laterparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Microsoft Authorization: Microsoft-authorized solution for Windows 11 on Apple Silicon Macsparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Supported Apps: Runs Windows apps including Excel, Power BI, Access, QuickBooks, and thousands moreparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Supported Operating Systems: Supports current macOS, Windows, and Linux versionsparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Gaming Limit: Classic Windows-exclusive games are supported up to DirectX 11parallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Security Certification: Standard, Pro, and Business editions are SOC 2-certifiedparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Encrypted VMs: Enterprise provides encrypted VMs locked to organizational controlparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Team Administration: Business adds centralized administration and license managementparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Deployment Integrations: Business supports Jamf and Intune integration for automated deployment and updatesparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Developer Integrations: Pro supports CLI workflows and integrations with Jenkins and Vagrantparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Included Support: Standard and Pro include unlimited phone and email support; subscribers get 24/7 chatparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
Company History: Parallels Desktop has been available since 2006parallels.com · 28 Sept 2026
User Base: Trusted by over 7 million Mac users worldwideparallels.com · 28 Sept 2026