Unleashing the Power of Parallels Desktop for Mac - Free Download and Alternatives

Parallels Desktop for Mac is a top-notch application that comes at a price. However, there is a free 14-day trial available for download on their website which provides access to all features. This allows users to test out the software before committing to a purchase. Parallels Desktop is a user-friendly solution for running Windows on Mac, and supports a wide range of models including the latest Apple Silicon and older Intel Macs. While there are no free versions or discounts available, the standard version starts at $99.99 for the home and student edition, which offers 8GB of VRAM, 4 virtual CPUs, and 30 days of phone and email support.

Is Parallels Desktop Free?

For those looking for more advanced features, the Pro Edition of Parallels Desktop is available for $119 per year. This upgrade includes an increase in VRAM to 128GB and virtual CPU count to 32, as well as additional perks such as a Virtual Studio plugin, enhanced networking tools, improved sorting for VMs, and round-the-clock phone and email support. For enterprise users, the Business edition is available for $149.99 per year with features tailored to their needs. All versions of Parallels Desktop allow for installation and operation of Windows, Linux, and macOS, as long as the underlying hardware is compatible. Apple Silicon users can even download and install Windows 11 on ARM within Parallels Desktop. Students and educators can also take advantage of a 50% discount on Standard and Pro editions, though verification of student status is required and the discount only applies to subscription-based purchases.

Get Discounts and a Free Trial of Parallels Desktop

Parallels understands the value of service, which is why they offer discounts to active military members, government employees, and charity/nonprofit employees. But that's not all. You can also try Parallels Desktop for free by downloading it from the trial page. During installation, simply activate Parallels Desktop and click on the "Try Free for 14 days" button to delay payment.

You have a 14-day trial period to test the software. During this time, you can download and install various operating systems, optimize virtual machines for gaming or other tasks, tweak virtual hardware setups manually, and install any software to ensure the app meets your expectations. At the end of the trial period, the app will notify you and offer the option to upgrade to the full version. If you choose not to upgrade, you can uninstall Parallels Desktop like any other Mac app to free up space. Any virtual machines you've created can be kept if you do decide to upgrade.

Parallels Desktop is a top virtual machine app for Mac, offering a user-friendly experience. Its setup process is seamless and it provides superior 3D acceleration within your VMs, setting it apart from other virtualization apps.

For those who prefer a more affordable option for running Windows on their Apple Silicon Mac, VMware Fusion Player is now available for non-commercial usage. This software offers similar functionality to Parallels Desktop, but requires a more hands-on setup process. Another free option is Oracle's VirtualBox, which now supports Apple Silicon chips, though the functionality is still limited to the developer preview build as of this writing.

Alternatively, Don’t Run Windows At All

Other alternatives for running Windows applications on your Mac exist beyond virtual machines. One option is to use Wine through the Wineskin Winery app or to employ a high-quality wrapper app known as CrossOver. It's worth noting that even if you opt for a virtual machine, you'll still need a Windows license, regardless of whether you're using the ARM version of Windows 11. However, if you're content with Microsoft withholding certain features and prompting you to activate, you can install and utilize Windows 11 without a license.