Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Parallels Desktop is one of the ripe options for Mac users who need to run Windows , Linux – and even macOS – as a virtual machine on their Mac . Parallels Desktop 20 is an telling climb , and a solid focus on developers and AI means it is now a knock-down tool for developer on all platform .
Price When look back
This time value will show the geolocated pricing text for ware undefined
Screenshot
Best Pricing Today
Best Prices Today: Parallels Desktop for Mac
The Mac is no longer dismiss as an insignificant ecological niche market that sputter to contend with Microsoft Windows . But , even so , there are still times when many Mac users need to run apps and software that are only available for Windows PC . Perhaps your employer use particular line of work software package that ’s only useable for Windows , or you may need to use a website that relies on some Windows - only technologies . Many developers want to try their apps and services on both Macs and microcomputer and , of course , there are all those A - inclination games that only run on Windows as well .
It used to be easy to install Windows on Macs , thanks to Apple ’s Boot Camp software system and the fact that from 2006 to 2020 all Macs used the same Intel processor as Windows PCs . However , with the advent of M - series Macs , Boot Camp is no more , so if you need to endure Windows on a Mac you call for to regard one of the various virtualization options that we feature in our rung - up of theBest Virtual Machine software for Mac .
The advent of Apple ’s own chips , aka Apple Silicon , also means that the stock version of Windows , designed for X-86 chips , wo n’t run on Arm - based chips like Apple ’s M - series . If you need to lean Windows on an M - series Mac you need the Arm version of Windows .
Screenshot
Our top solution forrunning Windows on a Macis Parallels Desktop . Read on to find out why .
What is Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop is advert to as a virtualization curriculum , because it allows you to make a virtual motorcar on your Mac – sometimes known as a VM – which is basically a piece of software that simulates the physical hardware of a Windows PC ( process also known as emulation ) and lets you go Windows on your Mac .
One of the benefit of a solution like Parallels Desktop is it permit you to operate Mac and Windows apps side by side , without having to reboot your Mac to shift between the macOS and Windows ( which you had to do with Boot Camp ) .
Screenshot
Screenshot
Foundry
Parallels gives you a lot of control over how you mix Windows on your Mac . You could choose to keep Windows and macOS totally separate , with a full Windows desktop windowpane float on the Mac desktop , or the Windows VM can be blow up to full - screenland sizing to hide out the Mac desktop . But you could also use Coherence style to unravel your Windows apps on your Mac so that they integrate fully with your Mac apps – you could even add them to your Dock .
you may run more than Windows as a VM on your Mac with Parallels Desktop . you could create a VM that run Linux , or even a VM that draw a different version of macOS itself . This can be useful for developers who demand to prove a internet site or an app on different versions of the macOS , although it ’s currently only potential to make VMs that run for Monterey ( macOS 12.0 ) or later on Macs with Apple Silicon . However , Intel - establish Macs can go right back to Mac OS X 10.7 Lion – we have the details ofhow to find one-time version of macOS here .
Another useful lineament of Parallels is Rollback style , which let you prevail Windows ( or Linux , or macOS ) like a kiosk . What this means is that nothing is lay aside and after you have finished work and restart the computer the VM will come back return to it ’s original country , this is perfect for developer who can try out and then return to a clean slating .
This is a braggart deal because the Arm variation of Windows is n’t normally licensed to private user . Fortunately , Parallels has do work closely with Microsoft to simplify the process of create VMs that use the ARM version of Windows . Just select the File / New command to create a Modern VM ( or adjure the ‘ + ’ release in the computer program ’s main Control Centre window ) and it will present you with a with child button labeled : Get Windows 11 From Microsoft .
Windows 11 On subdivision allow you to run away most older software and apps that were originally written for the Intel version of Windows , so you should n’t have any compatibility problems when scarper practical machines that use Windows On ARM .
Older Intel - based Macs can still run Windows 10 via Parallels , although older versions of Windows are no longer supported .
Read our guide toHow to use Parallels Desktop to guide Windows on a Macfor more info .
Parallels Desktop system requirements
Since your Mac is effectively run two operating systems at the same clock time – the macOS and Windows – so you ’ll demand a moderately fast Mac with plenty of retentivity , disk space and – above all – processor power to run your practical machines efficiently .
luckily , modern multi - core mainframe like Apple ’s M - series of splintering can function workaday apps such as the Windows version of Microsoft Word or Excel using virtualization with no fuss at all , and faster Mac mannikin can do a pretty good job run 3D games or gamy - final stage tools for design and graphics work .
You do need lot of memory to execute the macOS and Windows alongside each other though . Parallels Desktop generally recommends a minimum of 1 - 2 GB for each VM , but that really is the right-down lower limit , and it ’s in addition to the memory that your Mac needs just to launch the macOS , so if you ’ve got a Mac with just 8 GB of memory then you ’re not die to get the good possible functioning when running Windows in a VM .
Juggling memory and central processing unit cores can be confusing for less experienced drug user , but Parallels Desktop can help by recommend options that will be suitable for run unlike type of Windows apps and package . On high - end Macs , such as the Mac Studio , you may configure your virtual machines to use up to 62 GB of retentivity and 18 CPU cores for improved performance . Unfortunately , Parallels inform us that the multiple GPU cores on Apple Silicon chips are controlled solely by the macOS itself , so Parallels does n’t currently allow you to also specify the number of GPU inwardness used by your virtual machines .
Parallels Desktop update: What’s in Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac?
One other benefit is that Parallels Desktop has a even update cycle of one-year updates that more often than not cooccur with Apple ’s big updates to the macOS itself . analog also observe up with the speedy development of Apple ’s M - series processors .
Speaking of even updates , Parallels Desktop 20 arrived in September 2024 , bringing backing for macOS Sequoia and new features in that version of macOS .
Parallels 20 includes a phone number of fresh features that are only useable to Mac ’s be given Sequoia . With Sequoia as your Mac ’s independent operating system – rather than just a Edgar Albert Guest run in a virtual machine – you now have the ability to sign into a Mac virtual machine ( VM ) using your Apple ID , which will reserve you to use your Apple e-mail and other Apple services . And it will be possible to habituate the Apple intelligence operation - powered composition Tools feature within Windows apps once that arrives on Macs later in 2024 . See : Apple Intelligence FAQ : What it is , what it does , and when you ’ll get it .
There are performance improvements when using Parallels ’ file - sharing features to exchange files between your main Mac and your virtual machines . Macs with Apple Silicon also gain the ability to speedily save and touch on ‘ snapshots ’ of your VMs so that you’re able to make or discard change to your VMs for examination purposes ( although the snapshots feature was already available when go Parallels on Macs with Intel processor in the yesteryear ) .
Parallels Desktop 20 is also compatible with the latest Windows 11 On Arm update – known as 24H2 – which has an improved Prism emulator that provides as much as 80 % execution betterment when running some Old window apps that were written for Intel processors . Prism is similar to Apple ’s Rosetta , which tolerate older Mac apps that were written for Intel processors to run on modern Macs with Apple Silicon – and , strictly utter , this is an improvement furnish by Microsoft within Windows 11 24H2 , but it still profit Parallels drug user by rush along up older Windows apps running within your virtual machines .
Currently , Macs with Apple Silicon only have the ability to create practical machines that run Windows 11 On Arm – a special rendering of Windows get specifically for computing machine that utilize ARM processors ( including Apple Silicon ) . However , Parallels informed us that it is work on an update for Parallels Desktop 20 that will also leave Macs with Apple Silicon to launch the original Intel variation of Windows . That will be utilitarian for developers who want to turn on both ARM and Intel platform , and Parallels says that there will be a preview of this feature useable for developers presently .
Parallels Desktop version history
Parallels Desktop 19 arrived in August 2023 and introduce a redesign interface with windowpane and dialogue boxes that adopted the curved strain and confect colouring material of macOS . More serious eye confect also come with bread and butter for 3D graphic in Windows using OpenGL 4.1 , better compatibility and execution for some significant graphics and designing programs , such as ArcGIS Pro , VectorWorks and VariCAD . The 2023 update also contribute Touch ID to Windows virtual machines , allowing users to sign in to a Windows VM using both Touch ID and a personal Microsoft account statement .
Apple changed the printing system used in Sonoma , so Parallels Desktop 19 also introduced a new Internet Printing Protocol ( IPP ) to allow for user to publish documents from a practical machine using their normal pressman .
Parallels screen background 19.2 impart a faster option for cloning VMs . That ’s useful for developer and professional users who may need to create multiple VMs based on an existing template . It also amend the ability to apply Sign In With Apple to signal in to a Parallels account using computer hardware certificate keys that users may have created on their Mac . The introduction of Sonoma change the way the macOS do by Windows disk formats , causing some VMs to become unstable when running from an external operose drive or SSD , so rendering 19.2 also fixed this job to improve the stability of VMs on international drives .
And , in March 2024 , the program was update to version 19.3 . This frozen graphics problems that had affected a number of well - jazz Windows games , such as Dark Souls II and Genshin Impact . Gamers should be cognisant , though , that ( at the time of writing ) Parallels is still working on support for Microsoft ’s DirectX 12 graphics software , and Parallels Desktop is still limited to games that use DirectX 11 .
Parallels Desktop Pro vs Standard, Business vs Enterprise
Parallels Desktop has traditionally been available in three separate interpretation , with the Standard Edition contrive for home substance abuser and education , the Pro Edition for developers , and the Business Edition for corporate substance abuser . However , 2024 sees the comer of a new Enterprise Edition , which is due for release ‘ later this fall ’ ( with pricing available on asking ) .
Features for developers
Parallels state that it is seeing more and more Mac user execute the macOS as a guest operating system on a VM , peculiarly developer who require to try out their apps with dissimilar versions of the macOS .
Parallels therefore supplies configuration option when create VMs that execute the macOS , ply greater freedom to configure the act of processor and the amount of retention used . developer get a dictation - bloodline interface to speed up testing , advanced networking features , and the ability to share folders and volume between different rendering of the macOS . There ’s even some TLC for Linux user , with improved handling of Mac trackpads , and fast initiation for the popular Ubuntu translation of Linux .
The version 20 update to Parallels Desktop Pro brings an assortment of novel feature for developers including the Parallels AI Package ( available in all variation , apart from Standard ) . This will leave developers to create a ready - made virtual machine that include 14 different sets of AI tool , along with code sample and instructions . It ’s even possible to use average language command – such as “ Parallels , bulge my Windows 11 VM ” . These creature are designed to help all developers , including students and diminished teams , so that they can start experimenting with AI cursorily and easy . There is also improved keep for Microsoft ’s Visual Studio maturation tools , which now admit the consumption of Microsoft ’s CoPilot AI boast within Windows . ( www.parallels.com/products/desktop/ai/ )
Version 19 land several new features specifically purpose at developer including an extension for using Visual Studio code that makes it leisurely to organize and use multiple VMs , and improved support for produce VMs that run different version of macOS .
As we mentioned above , Parallels has confirm it is sour on a feature that will also let Macs with Apple Silicon to take to the woods the original Intel variant of Windows . This will be a breakthrough for developer who need to influence on both ARM and Intel platforms .
Features for businesses
The Business Edition of Parallels Desktop include several feature to help IT departments in declamatory organizations cursorily roll out Parallels virtual machines to multiple users . There are improved security features , and , since rendering 19 , those with the Business edition of Parallels Desktop can apply their VMs with corporate management systems such as Hashicorp Packer and Microsoft ’s InTune .
The Enterprise Edition , coming later in 2024 , will include a Management Portal that cause it easier to instal and supervise virtual machines for large numbers of users within an organisation . This Edition will also provide SOC Type 2 reports , which are used to maintain protection standards within bombastic organisations .
Features for gamers
Gamers who want to run Windows games on a Mac can do so via Parallels Desktop , and are able to utilize secret plan controllers with those games .
There has been support for DirectX 11 since Parallels Desktop 15 . There is no DirectX 12 support yet .
Version 4.1 of OpenGL is also theorise .
Parallels Desktop for Mac pricing
Parallels Desktop is available in three different edition : Standard , Pro and Business .
The Standard version is mainly direct at home and educational users and costs$99.99/£89.99per year , with additional discounts also available for students and educational activity users . That annual subscription fee includes any fresh version and updates that may be bring out in the future tense . It ’s also potential to grease one’s palms the standard variant with a eonian licence for a one - metre fee of$129.99/£104.99(although you ’ll have to compensate surplus for future upgrades ) .
The Pro variant , which is mainly aimed at developers , is only available as a subscription , costing$119.99/£99.99(currently reduced to $ /£74.99 ) per year , while the Business variant for larger governing body also want a subscription and cost $ 149.99/£119.99 per year ( currently reduced to $ /£89.99 ) .
Pricing for the forthcoming Enterprise Edition is useable from Parallels on request .
It ’s deserving bring up that there ’s also a variation of Parallels Desktop that is deal on theMac App Store – however , Apple imposes some serious technological limitation on this rendering so it ’s probably good to buy Parallels Desktop right away fromParallelsitself .
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Can you use Parallels for Mac for free?
The Parallels site offer a14 - day free trialso that you may see how Parallels Desktop works before corrupt the full version . Just think that you do still involve to buy a license for Windows 11 Pro or endeavor , which begin at a rather hefty$199.99/£219.99 .
Can you use Parallels Desktop on more than one Mac?
To use Parallels background on two or more Macs you will require to buy additional licenses . If you are just moving to a new Mac you could uninstall the software program on the first Mac and set up it on the new Mac .
Should You Buy Parallels Desktop?
Parallels is n’t the only option available for break away Windows on a Mac , but its changeless bicycle of even update has assure that it continues to outpace rival virtualization plan , such as VMWare Fusion . It ’s also more straight to apply than substitute applied science , such as CrossOver from Codeweavers .
Parallels keep up with the in style growing on Macs with Apple Silicon to ensure that it remains one of the best selection presently available for running Windows and Windows software on a Mac .
Should you update to Parallels Desktop 20?
The strong focus on developers in this rendering means that Parallels Desktop 20 may not be an essential climb for average home exploiter and small business . However , it remains the safe virtualization option for any Mac user who needs to run Windows – or Linux – apps on their Mac .
