Parallels Desktop
Provider profile: how trustworthy is Parallels Desktop?
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Company profile
Parallels Desktop was released in 2006 and has been the way to use Windows on a Mac ever since – without rebooting, alongside macOS. Since the switch to Apple silicon it has been practically the only convenient solution for Windows on M-series chips; Microsoft names Parallels Desktop in its support article as an authorised solution for Windows 11 on Arm.
Corel bought Parallels at the end of 2018, and the private equity firm KKR acquired Corel in 2019; from 2022 the group traded under the name Alludo. In February 2026 Corel announced a split: the creative business (CorelDRAW, WinZip) goes to Vector Capital, while Parallels stays with funds of KKR (announcement of 26 February 2026). According to the legal notice, the contract partner is Parallels International GmbH in Schaffhausen. Besides Desktop, the product family also includes Parallels RAS (enterprise virtualisation).
The model: an annual subscription in three editions (Standard, Pro, Business) – a one-off purchase is only available for the Standard Edition, and according to Parallels it does not include free upgrades to future major versions. Parallels Desktop can be tried free for 14 days. Version 27 only runs on Macs with Apple silicon; for Intel Macs, version 26 remains available.
Milestones
- 2006First version of Parallels Desktop – Windows on Intel Macs without rebooting
- 2018Corel buys Parallels; in 2019 the private equity firm KKR acquires Corel
- 2021Native support for Apple silicon (M-series chips) – one of the very first solutions to offer it
- 2026Corel is split up, Parallels stays with KKR; version 27 only runs on Apple silicon
Products and plans at a glance
- Standard Edition
- For home users – as an annual subscription or one-off purchase. Up to 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores per virtual machine; covers Office, browsers and most Windows programs.
- Pro Edition
- For developers and power users: according to Parallels up to 128 GB of RAM and 32 CPU cores per VM (for Apple silicon the Parallels FAQ quotes 62 GB and 18 cores), plus command line and developer tools. Subscription only.
- Business Edition
- For teams: central licence and device management, volume licences. Subscription only.
- Student discount
- 50% off the Pro Edition for students and teachers with proof of status.
What users say
Two very different pictures: Macwelt rates version 27 as good virtualisation software for Macs with Apple silicon but criticises graphics performance and price (review of 22 September 2026). On Trustpilot Parallels stands at 1.7 out of 5 from 1,804 reviews (as of 9 October 2026). The criticism there is aimed almost exclusively at auto-renewal, refused refunds and support – hardly at the software itself.
- Runs natively on Apple silicon; Macwelt attests to high stability and performance
- Coherence mode: Windows programs feel like Mac apps
- Easy installation – the Windows download is built in
- Automatic subscription renewal is on by default
- Renewals are excluded from refunds
- Standard Edition limited to 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores per VM
- One-off purchase only for Standard and without upgrades to new major versions
Alternatives, honestly rated
- Free for all types of use – technically solid, but more setup effort and without the convenience of Coherence.
- UTMOpen source and free – fine for tinkerers, noticeably less convenient for everyday use.
- Boot CampNo longer exists on Apple silicon Macs – on M-series chips there is no way around virtualisation.
FAQ
Is Parallels legitimate?
Yes. Parallels Desktop has been on the market since 2006, is owned by funds of the private equity firm KKR and is named by Microsoft as an authorised solution for Windows 11 on Arm Macs. The software is regarded as technically leading; user criticism concerns subscription renewal and refunds.
Subscription or one-off purchase?
Both are possible – but only the Standard Edition is available as a one-off purchase, and it does not include free upgrades to future major versions. Pro and Business are annual subscriptions only.
What should I watch out for when buying?
Auto-renewal is active from the moment of purchase. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to a first purchase made directly from Parallels; according to the refund policy, Parallels does not refund renewals or purchases from other resellers. Our tip: if you are unsure, switch off auto-renewal in your customer account straight after buying – the licence still runs for the full year.
Is there a free alternative?
Yes – VMware Fusion is free for all types of use but requires more tinkering. The detailed comparison: (→ Parallels vs VMware Fusion 2026: is Parallels worth it when Fusion is free?).
Does Parallels run on M1 to M5?
Yes. Version 27 runs on all Macs with Apple silicon from macOS 14.7 and uses the Arm version of Windows 11. Version 27 can no longer be installed on Intel Macs; version 26 remains available for them.
Do classic x86 programs and games run too?
Many do, thanks to the emulation built into Windows 11 on Arm – but not everything. According to Parallels, most anti-cheat systems do not run in a virtual machine, and DirectX 12 is not supported. Use the 14-day free trial and check your own software.
How much does Parallels Desktop cost?
Standard prices according to Parallels: Standard $99.99 per year, Pro $119.99 per year, Standard as a one-off purchase $219.99 (as of 28 July 2026). New customers regularly get a discount on the first year.
Is there a student discount?
Yes. According to Parallels, students and teachers get 50% off the Pro Edition on proof of status.