The best way to run Windows on Mac

The best way to run Windows on Mac: Why Parallels Desktop is a great VirtualBox alternative

Can’t decide what’s a better fit for your needs, Parallels Desktop vs. VirtualBox? Or just trying to find a good alternative to VirtualBox?

Discover how Parallels Desktop is a superior way to run Windows or Linux on Mac, seamlessly creating virtual machines on Apple M series Macs and more.

14-day fully functional free trial

Why choose Parallels Desktop as your virtualization solution?

VirtualBox
Run multiple operating systems Intel only
Test software in an isolated environment Yes
Create a VM that will run on Windows Yes
Set up and configure a VM Yes
Save the state of the VM Yes
Pricing Yes
Parallels Desktop
Run multiple operating systems Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Test software in an isolated environment Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Create a VM that will run on Windows Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Set up and configure a VM Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Save the state of the VM Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Install guest OS drivers automatically Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Shared profile and applications Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Installation Assistant Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Download and install Windows 11 in one click Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Out-of-the-box support for Retina displays Yes, for both Intel and M-series Macs
Use a virtual TPM chip 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 $99.99 annually for Standard, $119.99 for Pro

See why real-world users prefer Parallels Desktop to VirtualBox

Many individual users, teams, businesses, and organizations prefer Parallels Desktop over VirtualBox, and you don’t have to take our word for it! Discover how real users benefit from using Parallels Desktop.

"I use Parallels Desktop to access Windows on my Mac. There are eLearning, and local government design applications that require the exclusive use of the Windows OS, and this has helped me not to need to have two computers but to work on one machine with access to both operating systems. Additionally, on occasion, there are colleagues who require support on their computers, and I can replicate the problem they may have with the operating system they are running in a friendly and very fast way."

Eduardo, Managing Director

"Parallels Desktop is used in my organization and with our customers to support Windows apps when there is no Mac application, or the Mac Application is not fully featured.
We have a legacy application where only administrative functions can be performed in a Windows App. For some of our customers, all users are Mac users. Parallels and their Coherence Mode provide these users with a near-seamless virtual machine/desktop experience. Coherence Mode means they don't have to deal with a Windows environment and can work side-by-side with our app and their other Mac apps (Adobe Creative Cloud apps, for example)."

Will, VP Solutions

"We are an all-Apple environment, but still, we have plenty of applications that require us to run Windows. In some cases, we have entire departments with this need; in other instances, it’s a single user. Before implementing Parallels Desktop, we had some people who were lugging around an old Dell laptop in addition to a MacBook Pro for a single application. The IT department also uses [Parallels Desktop] to easily spin up virtual machines for testing and training on our machines."

Engineer in Information Technology

14-day fully functional free trial

Discover how Parallels Desktop is the right VirtualBox alternative for both users and organizations

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 to PC-exclusive games.

Effortlessly meet your professional and educational application needs with just one new piece of software — Parallels Desktop.

A seamless experience

Enjoy your hardware of choice

Run all the apps you need for work, school, and entertainment, including full-featured Microsoft Office 365 applications, accounting software, trading software, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and more on your Mac.

Enjoy your hardware of choice

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.

Run your favorite PC games on a Mac

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.

World-class technical support

Get started with Parallels Desktop and maximize the potential of your Mac

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Try free Free for 14-days

Here’s how to migrate from VirtualBox 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

Migrate to VirtualBox

After you start Windows, select Actions > Install Parallels Tools and follow the onscreen instructions. For more information on how to migrate VirtualBox virtual machines to Parallels Desktop, explore this Knowledge Base article.

Parallels Desktop is 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 commonly used Office 365 applications, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

14-day fully functional free trial

Parallels Desktop vs. VirtualBox FAQs

Is VirtualBox not the solution for you? Choose the right Parallels Desktop version for your needs and enjoy a better VirtualBox alternative

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