The best way to run Windows on Mac: Why Parallels Desktop is a great alternative to UTM
Struggling to make a choice between Parallels Desktop vs. UTM? Or just trying to find a good UTM alternative for PC gaming on Mac?
Discover how Parallels Desktop is a preferred way to run Windows or Linux on Mac, seamlessly enabling you to play Windows-exclusive games on Mac, create virtual machines, and more.
14-day fully functional free trial
Why choose Parallels Desktop as your virtualization solution?
See why real-world users prefer Parallels Desktop to UTM
Many individual users, teams, businesses, and organizations prefer Parallels Desktop over UTM and you don’t have to take our word for it! Discover how real users benefit from using Parallels Desktop.
"Easy to install — always being updated and works with latest releases of Mac"
See review"I'm using Parallels Desktop to have multiple operating systems all in one device. I can set the CPU, RAM, and hard disk according to how many sources I need. Also, this app is really stable and supports almost all operating systems. Also, it’s possible to sync files between the local device and the virtual machine."
See review"Parallels Desktop has been a game-changer for me. Setting it up was a breeze, and even for someone like me who isn't the most tech-savvy, the whole process was surprisingly easy."
See review14-day fully functional free trial
Discover how Parallels Desktop is the right UTM alternative for your needs
A seamless experience
Run the full-featured version of Windows applications on your Mac, including the most popular Windows apps like Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Plus accounting software, trading software, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and even PC-exclusive games!
Effortlessly run the professional, educational, and entertainment applications you need on your hardware of choice with just one new piece of software — Parallels Desktop.
Run your favorite 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 a gaming machine.
World-class technical support
Need assistance? Parallels Desktop subscribers get access to online customer support, detailed documentation, and an active community contributing to a rich knowledge base. Find answers to all your questions and become a Parallels Desktop power user.
Get started with Parallels Desktop and maximize the potential of your Mac
Parallels Desktop is the solution you need for many use cases
Cross-platform development and testing
Build, test, and QA your code in all necessary platforms seamlessly in a virtual environment. Developers and testers, switch between operating systems and browsers effortlessly, maintaining high performance, isolation, and security. Streamline the development process and reduce risk with Rollback mode, a Microsoft Visual Studio plug-in, and more.
Fulfill educational demands
Educators and students need cross-platform compatibility to learn. Meet academic requirements and access the essential tools for your studies or career, including the full-featured Windows version of Microsoft Office 365, Windows-based CAD tools, common statistics and accounting software, and more.
Compatible with Office 365 applications
Experience a Windows OS environment on your Mac. Use a virtual machine to run the full-featured versions of the most used Office 365 applications, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
14-day fully functional free trial
Parallels Desktop vs. UTM FAQs
Switching from UTM to Parallels Desktop is fast and easy.
You simply need to purchase and install Parallels Desktop (plus the relevant Windows licenses and games). Once that is done, you are free to enjoy using Windows apps and games on your Mac!
Parallels Desktop offers customer support across various channels, including phone, email, and live chat, for the lifetime of your subscription. Because UTM is an open-source product, its users must seek community support, forums, and crowdsourced documentation for any troubleshooting.
Parallels Desktop offers an easy setup and integration with macOS, making it simple for less technical users to install and use. UTM does offer some public documentation, but users must find their own resources and help if they need support.
Parallels Desktop offers robust 3D graphics support, making it suitable for running games and graphics-intensive applications. UTM, however, has been reported to struggle with 3D acceleration and is not ideal for gaming or heavy graphics tasks.
Parallels Desktop offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of setting up and managing virtual machines. In contrast, UTM's interface is fairly basic and can be more challenging for beginners to navigate.
Is UTM not the solution you’ve been hoping for? Choose the right Parallels Desktop version for your needs and enjoy a better UTM alternative
Standard Edition
Limited version for those that need to run Windows applications on base model Mac computers.
Supports future operating systems.
Cancel anytime.
Current version only. Full compatibility with future versions not guaranteed.
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.