# Parallels Desktop for Mac, QEMU vs VMware Workstation Pro Comparison

| | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 59 | 29 | 138 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (67.8% of reviews) | Small-Business (50.0% of reviews) | Mid-Market (37.8% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $99.99 1 seat Per Year | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Parallels Desktop for Mac

Pros:
- Connection Speed (1 reviews)
- Cross-Platform (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (1 reviews)
- Feature Limitations (1 reviews)

### QEMU

**Not enough data**

### VMware Workstation Pro

Pros:
- Integrations (2 reviews)
- Snapshots (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Billing Issues (1 reviews)
- Difficult Configuration (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.9 (49 reviews) | 8.3 (20 reviews) | 9.4 (127 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (51 reviews) | 5.9 (20 reviews) | 8.9 (127 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.8 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (45 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.0 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.0 (42 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (38 reviews) | 6.6 (17 reviews) | 8.7 (102 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.3 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.8 (37 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.0 (47 reviews) | 8.2 (19 reviews) | 8.7 (121 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Parallels Desktop for Mac

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Parallels Desktop Business Edition

Price: $99.99 1 seat Per Year

Description: For Use in Work Settings




Key Features:
- Access Microsoft Office for Windows and Internet Explorer
- Run more than 200,000 Windows apps on your Mac without performance issues
- Develop and test across multiple OSs in a virtual machine for Mac

[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/parallels-desktop-for-mac/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### QEMU

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### VMware Workstation Pro

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Server Virtualization

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Parallels Desktop for Mac** | N/A | N/A |
| **QEMU** | N/A | N/A |
| **VMware Workstation Pro** | 9.2/10 | 31 |

#### Performance

| Feature | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.4 (29 reviews) | 
| **Portability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (29 reviews) | 
| **Data Recovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.0 (28 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **OS Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.5 (28 reviews) | 
| **Resource Saving** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (28 reviews) | 
| **Performance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (29 reviews) | 
| **Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.5 (29 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Server Virtualization

| Feature | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Remote Desktop

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Parallels Desktop for Mac** | 8.6/10 | 43 |
| **QEMU** | N/A | N/A |
| **VMware Workstation Pro** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Usage Information** | 8.7 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integrations** | 8.5 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Diagnostics** | 8.1 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Session Recording** | 8.5 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Session Transfer** | 8.7 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Unattended Access** | 8.5 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **File Sharing** | 9.1 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cross-Platform Access** | 9.2 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Device Access** | 8.1 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Applications Management** | 8.6 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Device Control** | 8.5 (25 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Remote Wipe** | 8.6 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Device Management** | 8.8 (25 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Device Enrollment** | 8.5 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to Parallels Desktop for Mac (1):** [Remote Desktop Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/remote-desktop)

**Unique to QEMU (1):** [Remote Desktop Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/remote-desktop)

**Unique to VMware Workstation Pro (1):** [Server Virtualization Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Parallels Desktop for Mac | QEMU | VMware Workstation Pro | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 67.8% | 50.0% | 33.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 15.3% | 23.1% | 37.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 16.9% | 26.9% | 28.9% | 

### By Industry

#### Parallels Desktop for Mac

- **Information Technology and Services:** 16.9%
- **Computer Software:** 8.5%
- **Financial Services:** 6.8%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 6.8%
- **Arts and Crafts:** 5.1%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 5.1%
- **Media Production:** 5.1%
- **Retail:** 3.4%
- **Research:** 3.4%
- **Construction:** 3.4%
- **Other:** 35.6%

#### QEMU

- **Computer Software:** 34.6%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 11.5%
- **Semiconductors:** 7.7%
- **Internet:** 7.7%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 7.7%
- **Wireless:** 3.8%
- **Research:** 3.8%
- **Professional Training & Coaching:** 3.8%
- **Industrial Automation:** 3.8%
- **Financial Services:** 3.8%
- **Other:** 11.5%

#### VMware Workstation Pro

- **Computer Software:** 23.7%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 23.7%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 8.1%
- **Higher Education:** 5.2%
- **Internet:** 3.7%
- **Computer Networking:** 3.0%
- **Semiconductors:** 2.2%
- **Information Services:** 2.2%
- **Financial Services:** 1.5%
- **Telecommunications:** 1.5%
- **Other:** 25.2%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Parallels Desktop for Mac

- [Crossover](https://www.g2.com/products/crossover/reviews) — 3.7/5 stars (21 reviews)
- [RealVNC](https://www.g2.com/products/realvnc/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (438 reviews)
- [Kasm Workspaces](https://www.g2.com/products/kasm-workspaces/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (49 reviews)
- [TeamViewer](https://www.g2.com/products/teamviewer/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (3959 reviews)
- [AnyDesk](https://www.g2.com/products/anydesk/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1091 reviews)
- [Citrix DaaS](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (546 reviews)
- [ScreenConnect](https://www.g2.com/products/screenconnect/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (501 reviews)
- [RemotePC](https://www.g2.com/products/remotepc/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (640 reviews)
- [Splashtop Remote Access](https://www.g2.com/products/splashtop-remote-access/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (508 reviews)
- [Zoho Assist](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-assist/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (694 reviews)

### Alternatives to QEMU

- [TeamViewer](https://www.g2.com/products/teamviewer/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (3959 reviews)
- [Crossover](https://www.g2.com/products/crossover/reviews) — 3.7/5 stars (21 reviews)
- [RealVNC](https://www.g2.com/products/realvnc/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (438 reviews)
- [Citrix DaaS](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-citrix-daas/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (546 reviews)
- [AnyDesk](https://www.g2.com/products/anydesk/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1091 reviews)
- [BeyondTrust Remote Support](https://www.g2.com/products/beyondtrust-remote-support/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (384 reviews)
- [ScreenConnect](https://www.g2.com/products/screenconnect/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (501 reviews)
- [LogMeIn Resolve](https://www.g2.com/products/logmein-resolve/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (467 reviews)
- [Remote Desktop Services](https://www.g2.com/products/remote-desktop-services/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (140 reviews)
- [LogMeIn Central](https://www.g2.com/products/logmein-central/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (213 reviews)

### Alternatives to VMware Workstation Pro

- [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (292 reviews)
- [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (393 reviews)
- [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (952 reviews)
- [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2389 reviews)
- [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (975 reviews)
- [Proxmox VE](https://www.g2.com/products/proxmox-ve/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (36 reviews)
- [Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)](https://www.g2.com/products/nutanix-cloud-infrastructure-nci/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (324 reviews)
- [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (286 reviews)
- [Red Hat OpenShift](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-red-hat-openshift/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (303 reviews)
- [SC//HyperCore](https://www.g2.com/products/sc-hypercore/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (265 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Parallels Desktop for Mac

- Title: [Is parallels Free for Mac?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-parallels-free-for-mac) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "No. There are two payment options - $80 one time purchase for the "Standard" version of Parallels, or $99/year for the "Business"/"Professional" version of..."
- Title: [How does parallel desktop work on Mac?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-does-parallel-desktop-work-on-mac) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It runs as an application, like any other, but allows you to "install" other operating systems within Parallels as a virtual machine."

### QEMU

No discussions available for this product.

### VMware Workstation Pro

- Title: [Is Workstation Pro free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-workstation-pro-free) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes there is free plan for personal use"
- Title: [Is VMware a workstation pro?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-vmware-a-workstation-pro) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, VMware Workstation Pro is a powerful virtualization tool that serves as a workstation platform for professionals working with multiple operating..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/parallels-desktop-for-mac-vs-qemu-vs-vmware-workstation-pro)