--- title: Parallels Desktop for Mac Reviews meta_title: 'Parallels Desktop for Mac Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 59 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Parallels Desktop for Mac works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.3 review_count: 59 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-11-11' parent_category: name: IT Infrastructure url: https://www.g2.com/categories/it-infrastructure ---

Parallels Desktop for Mac Reviews & Product Details

Profile Status

This profile is currently managed by Parallels Desktop for Mac but has limited features.

Are you part of the Parallels Desktop for Mac team? Upgrade your plan to enhance your branding and engage with visitors to your profile!

Pricing

Pricing provided by Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Parallels Desktop Business Edition

$99.99
1 seat Per Year

Parallels Desktop Pro Edition

$99.99
1 seat Per Year

User Insights

Average based on 59 real user reviews.

Perceived Cost

$$$$$

Typical contract price

$0k - $0k

Sign in to view

Per Year

Parallels Desktop for Mac Reviews (59)

Reviews

Parallels Desktop for Mac Reviews (59)

4.3
59 reviews

What do users say?

Generated using AI from real user reviews

Pros & Cons

Generated from real user reviews
View All Pros and Cons
Search reviews
Filter Reviews
Clear Results
G2 reviews are authentic and verified.
Fauzi D.
FD
Fauzi D.
Electrical Instrument Engineer
Oil & Energy
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Parallels makes running engineering software on Mac easily"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

As an electrical engineer working mainly on a Mac, Parallels has been a game-changer. It allows me to run Windows-based engineering tools like AutoCAD, ETAP, and vendor specific configuration software directly on my MacBook with Apple Silicon. The performance is surprisingly smooth, especially on M1/M2 chips. The seamless integration between macOS and Windows (like shared clipboard and file sync) makes multitasking between environments incredibly efficient Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

One limitation is the need for a separate Windows license, which can be a hassle if you're just getting started. Occasionally, I experience minor issues with USB dongles or external licensing hardware not being detected properly. Also, some graphic intensive 3D CAD apps may not perform as smoothly as on native Windows hardware Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Sarah S.
SS
Sarah S.
Senior Manager, Revenue Marketing
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Unethical Renewal Practices and Subpar Performance"
0/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

The product claims to be useful for testing web page experience on multiple devices. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Parallels auto-renewed my annual subscription without clear notice or active consent, despite zero usage for over a year. I never received a renewal reminder and was denied a refund — an issue many customers have faced. The software itself is clunky and outdated, and it's clear the company relies on deceptive billing tactics rather than delivering real value. Charging customers without explicit consent is unacceptable. I strongly warn others against using Parallels and recommend exploring more trustworthy alternatives. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Valter M.
VM
Valter M.
Sys Admin
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Parallels Desktop is the best for creating virtual machines"
5/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Parallels Desktop is easy to use, easy to implement, and has a lot of features. The switch from Mac to Windows or another VM is very fast. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

I do not dislike it, the transition is perfect and the device sharing to VM Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
UM
Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Originally submitted 9/13/2024
"Provides same user experience as you are running on PC desktop/laptop"
5/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Ease of use, ability to share HW & SW resources between different OSs, stability. Very easy to setup and use. No maintenance required. Auto snapshots are life-saver. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Notthing on the down side really, so far so good Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Yasith W.
YW
Yasith W.
Software Engineer
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Seamless Windows Integration: Parallels Desktop for Mac"
5/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

I recently tried out Parallels Desktop for Mac, and I have to say, it's 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. Once I got it running, I was genuinely impressed by how well it handled all those Windows applications alongside my usual Mac stuff – no lag or hiccups whatsoever. The coolest part? The integration is so seamless that I can run Windows apps right alongside my Mac ones, almost like they're all part of the same family. The interface is user-friendly, offering a bunch of viewing options to suit how you like to work. Plus, knowing that they keep it up to date and have a support team ready to help if needed gives me real peace of mind. Long story short, if you're like me and need both Windows and Mac in your life, Parallels Desktop is the way to go – it's made things a whole lot smoother and more enjoyable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Parallels Desktop for Mac has genuinely impressed me, and it's challenging to find substantial dislikes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Design
UD
Verified User in Design
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"parallels on Mac Pros and cons"
3/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

It great as you can use PC software on a amc rather than having to have two computers. you can alos have the mac running at the same time to swtich between things eg photoshop- NED graphics. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

its slow and i think you have to use half of your mac memory to run the programme so it rreally slows down both interfaces. it also takesges to update and restart or close down the programme. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Takasur A.
TA
Takasur A.
Mobile Engineer | iOS Apps Developer (Swift/SwiftUI)
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"The best tool for virtualization on Mac"
5/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

It's seamless integration with the host machine. The virtual machine doesn't even feel like a virtual machine. It feels like an independent operating system running on actual hardware than on a virtual layer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

I'm not an everyday user of the software so the price is a bit high for someone like me. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Manuel H.
MH
Manuel H.
Manager
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Great Virtual Software For Mac"
5/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

It was easy to install, and is easy to use with well written documentation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

It takes up more disk space than I expected. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Ali J.
AJ
Ali J.
iOS Engineer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Running Microsoft Windows"
4/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

It supports Windows, Linux, and other OS. You can run them if you have a Mac, also you can share files between the two OS. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Nothing special in mind, the main problem is the RAM distributor, but it's not related to the platform. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Sameed ul hussan A.
SA
Sameed ul hussan A.
Unity Game Developer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Parallels Desktop for Mac"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Its internet speed And Completely same as original desktop Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Pretty much I like it very much, only thing that is disturbing is it gets lag if your internet is slow Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Questions about Parallels Desktop for Mac? Ask real users or explore answers from the community

Get practical answers, real workflows, and honest pros and cons from the G2 community or share your insights.

GU
Guest User
•
Last activity over 4 years ago

Is parallels Free for Mac?

0 Upvotes
1
Join the conversation
GU
Guest User

What is Parallels Desktop for Mac used for?

0 Upvotes
0
Join the conversation

Pricing Options

Pricing provided by Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Parallels Desktop Business Edition

$99.99
1 seat Per Year

Parallels Desktop Pro Edition

$99.99
1 seat Per Year

Parallels Desktop Standard Edition For Home & Student Use

$79.99
1 seat Per Year
Parallels Desktop for Mac Comparisons
Parallels Desktop for Mac Features
Remote Wipe
Device Management
Device Enrollment
Cross-Platform Access
Mobile Device Access
Applications Management
Usage Information
Active Directory Integration
Diagnostics