Parallels
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBellevue, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
Parallels firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Parallels
- Legal name
- Parallels International GmbH
- Website
- https://parallels.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Parallels industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Desktop Virtualization Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Virtual Desktop & Application Virtualization (VDI) (HDABADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Virtual Desktop & Application Delivery (VDI/DaaS, Remote Apps) (BPAEAIAC)
Keywords
Where Parallels is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellevue
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Parallels business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Parallels Desktop Licenses: Parallels Desktop for Mac sold as subscription or perpetual license in Standard, Pro, and Business/Enterprise editions. Individual and organizational deployments.
- Parallels RAS (Remote Application Server): On-premises and hybrid VDI solution licensed per user/endpoint for enterprise deployments. Supports SPLA (Service Provider License Agreement) for hosting providers.
- Parallels DaaS: Cloud-based desktop-as-a-service offering providing application and desktop streaming from the cloud, subscription-based delivery.
- Parallels Secure Workspace & Browser Isolation: Zero-trust secure remote access solutions, cloud services with subscription delivery model.
- Support and Maintenance: Technical support services, with basic support included and enhanced support packages available for purchase.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | 14-day free trial available for Parallels Desktop Pro |
| Subscription | Annual | Parallels Desktop editions: Standard, Pro, Business/Enterprise |
| Subscription | Annual | Special pricing for Education, Military, Government, and Nonprofit sectors |
| Subscription | Monthly | Parallels RAS licensing |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Parallels product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Parallels develops virtualization software that enables Mac users to run Windows and other operating systems alongside macOS, and provides enterprise-grade virtual application and desktop delivery (VDI/DaaS), zero-trust secure remote access, and browser isolation solutions for organizations. Its two main product pillars are Parallels Desktop for Mac (consumer/prosumer Windows-on-Mac virtualization) and the Parallels Workspace enterprise suite (RAS, DaaS, Secure Workspace, Browser Isolation).
Product overview
Parallels offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on two core pillars: desktop virtualization for Mac users and enterprise application/desktop delivery. The core Mac virtualization product, Parallels Desktop for Mac, is available in Standard, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers serving individual, developer, and enterprise segments respectively. For enterprise IT environments, Parallels RAS provides server-based virtual application and desktop delivery with hybrid cloud support, while Parallels Secure Workspace enables zero-trust browser-based access and Parallels DaaS delivers cloud-hosted desktops. Parallels Browser Isolation adds security through remote browser isolation. All enterprise products (RAS, DaaS, Browser Isolation, Secure Workspace) are governed by the Parallels Product Licensing Terms, while consumer/SMB products (Desktop Standard/Pro, Toolbox) use the End User License Agreement. The portfolio serves organizations needing cross-platform workflow support, remote/hybrid work solutions, and secure application delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Parallels Desktop for Mac: Virtualization software enabling Windows and other operating systems to run on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
- Parallels RAS
- Parallels DaaS
- Parallels Secure Workspace
- Parallels Browser Isolation
- Parallels Toolbox
- Awingu
Products and services
- Parallels Desktop for Mac Virtualization software enabling Mac users (Intel and Apple Silicon) to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems alongside macOS applications without rebooting. Supports Windows 11 on ARM with over 200,000 compatible Windows applications, includes Coherence Mode for native-like Windows app integration within macOS. Offered in Standard, Pro, Business, and Enterprise editions serving individual, developer, and organizational customers.
- Parallels RAS (Remote Application Server) Enterprise virtualization platform for virtual application and desktop delivery (VDI), publishing Windows applications and desktops from a central server to end users across any device. Supports hybrid and multi-cloud deployments through the Custom Provider Framework, integrates with Microsoft Azure, Azure Virtual Desktop, Nutanix, and other hypervisors. Licensed per user/endpoint with SPLA available for hosting providers.
- Parallels DaaS Cloud-based Desktop-as-a-Service offering providing application and desktop streaming from the cloud on a subscription basis, enabling access from anywhere without on-premises infrastructure.
- Parallels Secure Workspace Zero-trust secure remote access solution enabling users to access applications, desktops, and files from any browser without requiring VPN or client installation. Provides unified workspace access from any device or browser.
- Parallels Browser Isolation Remote browser isolation product providing secure isolated browser sessions for safe access to web applications and SaaS services, protecting enterprise endpoints from web-based threats.
- Parallels Toolbox
Quantifiable outcome
- Supports 200,000+ Windows applications on Apple silicon Macs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Parallels
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Parallels technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature5 records
Parallels partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- NutanixcoreCustom Provider Framework in Parallels RAS 21.2 enables integration with Nutanix hypervisor and cloud platform. Language-independent connector model allows partners to create integrations using PowerShell, Python, or similar scripting languages.
- Microsoft Azure / Azure Virtual DesktopcoreCustom Provider Framework enables Parallels RAS integration with Microsoft Azure and Azure Virtual Desktop. Enhanced hybrid and multi-cloud deployment capabilities for enterprise customers.
- 10ZiG TechnologycoreExpanded partnership for virtual application and desktop delivery in hybrid work environments. Combines Parallels RAS with 10ZiG thin and zero client hardware/software solutions. Integrations across various infrastructure platforms to help organizations reduce costs and support broad range of endpoint devices.
- Corel CorporationcoreParallels is a subsidiary of Cascade Parent Limited, which is owned by Corel Corporation. Cascade Parent Limited and Corel subsidiaries form the parent corporate structure.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft authorized Parallels Desktop to run Windows 11 virtual machines on Apple silicon Macs. Deep integration with Microsoft Office and Excel applications.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Parallels competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Microsoft (Azure Virtual Desktop): Both a partner (via Custom Provider Framework integration) and direct competitor in cloud-hosted DaaS. Parallels Desktop is also authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on ARM, making the relationship strategically double-edged.
- VMware (Omnissa / Broadcom): Dominant VDI/endpoint virtualization incumbent via Horizon; Parallels RAS competes directly for enterprise app/desktop delivery workloads and was explicitly called out as competition in Parallels' 2025 partner program launch.
Emerging players
- Splashtop: Remote access and VDI provider competing in SMB and MSP segments — a comparable go-to-market motion to Parallels RAS via the Elevate Now Partner Program.
- Cameyo (Google): Cloud DaaS acquired by Google; competes with Parallels DaaS in delivering virtual Windows applications and desktops from the browser without client installation.
- Island (Enterprise Browser): Enterprise browser / secure workspace startup competing with Parallels Secure Workspace and Parallels Browser Isolation in zero-trust browser-based application delivery.
- Nutanix Frame: Cloud DaaS platform that Parallels now integrates with via its Custom Provider Framework; comparable in multi-cloud virtual desktop delivery but smaller scale and narrower channel.
Direct peers
- Oracle VM VirtualBox: Free, open-source desktop virtualization software widely used by developers and technical Mac users — the most direct free alternative to Parallels Desktop in the consumer/prosumer segment.
- Citrix Systems (Cloud Software Group): Closest direct competitor in enterprise VDI/virtual application delivery. Parallels' website explicitly markets itself as a 'Citrix alternative' and partner program materials cite Citrix as a primary competitive threat.
- Amazon WorkSpaces: Cloud-native DaaS offering directly comparable to Parallels DaaS for customers seeking managed cloud desktops and application streaming.
- VMware Fusion: Direct competitor for Windows-on-Mac desktop virtualization; VMware made Fusion free for personal use, putting price pressure on Parallels Desktop's Standard tier.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Parallels social profiles
Digital presenceParallels financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Parallels leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Parallels subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Parallels funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Parallels M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Parallels
What does Parallels do?
Parallels develops virtualization software that enables Mac users to run Windows and other operating systems alongside macOS, and provides enterprise-grade virtual application and desktop delivery (VDI/DaaS), zero-trust secure remote access, and browser isolation solutions for organizations. Its two main product pillars are Parallels Desktop for Mac (consumer/prosumer Windows-on-Mac virtualization) and the Parallels Workspace enterprise suite (RAS, DaaS, Secure Workspace, Browser Isolation).
Is Parallels a public or private company?
Parallels is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Parallels founded?
Parallels was founded in 1999. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Parallels based?
Parallels is headquartered in Bellevue, United States, in the North America region.
How does Parallels make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Parallels Desktop Licenses are the primary driver. The others are parallels RAS (Remote Application Server), parallels DaaS, parallels Secure Workspace & Browser Isolation and support and Maintenance.
Who are Parallels's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Microsoft (Azure Virtual Desktop) and VMware (Omnissa / Broadcom). Emerging players are Splashtop, Cameyo (Google), Island (Enterprise Browser) and Nutanix Frame. Direct peers are Oracle VM VirtualBox, Citrix Systems (Cloud Software Group), Amazon WorkSpaces and VMware Fusion.
Does Parallels have an API?
No public API is recorded for Parallels.
What industry is Parallels in?
Parallels's product category is Desktop Virtualization Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABADAH, Virtual Desktop & Application Virtualization (VDI), with a secondary code of BPAEAIAC, Virtual Desktop & Application Delivery (VDI/DaaS, Remote Apps). Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 7373.