Parallels offers virtualization and workspace software that lets users run Windows, Linux, and cloud workloads on macOS and other devices. Its Parallels Desktop for Mac provides high‑performance virtual machines with seamless integration of Windows apps, while Parallels Remote Application Server delivers a unified VDI/DaaS platform for on‑premises, hybrid, or public‑cloud deployments, featuring centralized management, automated provisioning, and enterprise‑grade security.
Funding
$5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
MCFounders
Product
Problem
Mac users and enterprise IT teams often need to run Windows‑only applications or deliver virtual desktops and apps without maintaining separate hardware, complex infrastructure, or costly licensing. Traditional solutions can be bulky, require dedicated servers, or lock users into a single platform, limiting flexibility and increasing total cost of ownership.
Solution
Parallels provides a suite of virtualization and workspace products that enable seamless execution of Windows, Linux, and cloud‑based workloads on macOS and other devices. Parallels Desktop for Mac creates a high‑performance virtual machine that integrates Windows apps directly into the macOS environment, supporting up to 128 GB of virtual RAM and 32 vCPUs, DirectX 11 graphics, and developer tools. For enterprise deployments, Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) delivers a unified, hybrid VDI/DaaS platform that can be installed on‑premises, in private clouds, or public clouds such as Azure and AWS, with built‑in support for Azure Virtual Desktop. The solutions offer a single management console, automated provisioning, granular policy control, and end‑to‑end security features—including encryption, Zero‑Trust access, and SSO/SAML integration—while allowing users to access applications from any device or browser.
Target Audience
Primary customers include macOS professionals, developers, and power users who need Windows applications on a Mac, as well as enterprise IT departments, managed service providers, and educational institutions seeking a flexible, secure VDI/DaaS solution for mixed‑OS environments.
Features
- High‑performance VM engine with up to 128 GB vRAM, 32 vCPUs, and DirectX/OpenGL 3D acceleration for graphics‑intensive Windows apps
- Coherence mode and shared folders that let Windows applications run side‑by‑side with macOS, with direct file access from Finder
- Integrated developer tools: command‑line interface, Visual Studio plug‑in, Vagrant support, and built‑in debugging utilities
- Enterprise‑grade RAS console for centralized provisioning, image management, golden image creation, and automated CI/CD workflows
- Flexible deployment models: on‑premises, hybrid, private cloud, or public cloud (Azure, AWS) with no hypervisor lock‑in
- Multi‑device client support (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5) and peripheral pass‑through (printers, smart cards, USB)
- Security and compliance: SOC 2 certification, encrypted VMs, granular access controls, Zero‑Trust networking, SSO/SAML with SCIM provisioning
- Licensing options for individuals, education, SMBs, and large enterprises, including volume licensing and per‑user/device models