Parallels Desktop for Mac

Why Parallels Desktop is a great alternative to VMware Fusion for virtualization and more

Struggling to choose between Parallels Desktop vs. VMware Fusion? Or trying to find a good VMware Fusion alternative? Discover how Parallels Desktop is a better way to run Windows or Linux on Mac than VMware Fusion, seamlessly creating virtual machines on Apple M series Macs and so much more.

14-day fully functional free trial

Why choose Parallels Desktop over VMWare Fusion

VMware Fusion
DirectX 11 Graphics Support Intel only
One-click download of Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, Mint*, and Debian Intel only
Run macOS in a VM Intel only
50+ productivity tools to enhance your experience Intel only
Pricing Starting at $149 for Player, $199 for Pro; $79 and $99 to upgrade respectively
Parallels Desktop
Automatic Windows 11 Download and Installation Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Integration with Mac — shared folders & apps, copy/paste, drag & drop, web camera, keyboard layout sync Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
DirectX 11 Graphics Support Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
ProMotion display support (high refresh rate support) Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
One-click download of Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, Mint*, and Debian Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Run macOS in a VM Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on a Mac with Apple silicon Yes
50+ productivity tools to enhance your experience Yes, Parallels Toolbox comes with a subscription to Parallels Desktop for Mac
Pricing Subscriptions start at annually for Standard, for Pro

See why teams love Parallels Desktop more than VMware Fusion

TrustRadius rating

Many individual users, teams, and organizations prefer Parallels Desktop over VMware Fusion, and you don’t have to take our word for it! See what real users have to say...

"Parallels give you power, functionality and a smooth interface for all your desktop virtualization needs"

trustradius

Director in Information Technology Education Management Company

See review

"Best Application of Virtual Machine for MacOS"

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Professional in Information Technology Marketing & Advertising Company

See review

"Parallels Desktop Review on a MacBook Pro M3 Max"

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Kris Giorgetti
Partner Giorgetti, LLC

See review

14-day fully functional free trial

VMware icon VMware Fusion
Parallels Desktop icon Parallels Desktop
91%
Likelihood to recommend
94%
100%
Likelihood to renew
100%
90%
Usability
100%
100%
Support rating
90%
100%
Implementation rating
100%

Why choose Parallels Desktop as your virtualization solution?

A seamless experience

Access your favorite Windows applications effortlessly, including full-featured versions of popular Windows apps like Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook to popular PC games.

Parallels Desktop fulfills your professional, educational, and even your personal gaming software and application requirements.

A seamless experience

Use your hardware of choice

Run the applications and software you need for work, school, and play (such as full-featured Microsoft Office 365 applications, accounting software, trading software, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and more) without needing to buy a separate PC.

Parallels Desktop eliminates the hassle of owning and carrying multiple laptops or other devices.

Use your hardware of choice

Play PC games on a Mac

Play hundreds of Windows-exclusive games on Mac with Parallels Desktop, from first person to multiplayer games. Parallels Desktop transforms your Mac into your gaming companion.

Play PC games on a Mac

Top-notch technical support

Access online customer support, detailed documentation, and an active community plus a knowledge base to gain answers to your questions and to deepen your understanding of Parallels Desktop.

Top-notch technical support

Get started with Parallels Desktop and start maximizing the potential of your Mac

Buy now
Try free Free for 14-days

Here’s how to migrate from VMware Fusion to Parallels Desktop

Open Parallels Desktop icon

Open Parallels Desktop

Open Parallels Desktop and select File > Open on the menu bar.

Import icon

Import

Select the Windows data file you want to import, then click Open.

Start Windows icon

Start Windows

After you start Windows, select Actions > Install Parallels Tools and follow the onscreen instructions. Here’s more information on how to migrate from VMware Fusion to Parallels Desktop.

Parallels Desktop is the solution of choice in a variety of scenarios...

Develop and test software across platforms

Build, test, and QA solutions across platforms easily in virtual environments. Developers and testers can easily switch between operating systems and browsers, maintaining high performance and security throughout the development process. Rollback mode, a Microsoft Visual Studio plug-in, and more enhance the cross-platform development experience.

Meet academic requirements

Educators and students alike benefit from cross-platform compatibility. Equip yourself with all the essential tools for your career or your course of study, from Microsoft Office 365, Windows-based CAD tools, statistics and accounting tools, and more.

Office 365 software compatibility

Create a Windows OS environment on your Mac with a virtual machine and run the full-featured versions of the most popular Office 365 applications, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Parallels Desktop vs. VMware Fusion FAQs

VMware Fusion not rocking your world? Choose the right Parallels Desktop version for you

Standard Edition

Limited version for those that need to run Windows applications on base model Mac computers.

Supports future operating systems.
Cancel anytime.

/yr

Current version only. Full compatibility with future versions not guaranteed.

$129.99
Most popular

Pro Edition

Versatile, fully loaded version for developers, individual business users, and gamers seeking the best performance and productivity.

Supports future operating systems.
Cancel anytime.

/yr