Parallels Desktop vs VMware Horizon comparison

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Parallels Logo
4,615 views|4,085 comparisons
100% willing to recommend
VMware Logo
5,472 views|4,605 comparisons
90% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Parallels Desktop and VMware Horizon based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Parallels Desktop vs. VMware Horizon Report (Updated: May 2024).
772,679 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Parallels Desktop integrates seamlessly with macOS. It works better than VMware on Apple operating systems.""I like how, with Parallels, you can either boot into Mac or Windows to get better control over the resources of the laptops since you're sharing the resources in dual mode."

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"We use VMware Horizon to provide remote access for remote users.""The most valuable features of the solution stem from the fact that it is easy to set it up, and the user experience it provides is just like a normal desktop.""The most valuable feature of this solution is secure remote access to resources.""Its most valuable feature is the rapid and versatile access from clients operating on various Windows, Linux, and MacOS systems.""It is stable and easily scalable.""The thin image offers efficiency and stability for the system, which is not always available in other alternatives.""The most valuable feature in this solution which really helped for my use case was the stand out three dimensional acceleration. It was really important for enhancing the performance for certain clients based on their scenarios.""Scalable and stable virtualization solution, with good technical support offering timely responses."

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Cons
"The biggest challenge is compatibility between VMware and Parallels because the two systems are incompatible. It can be challenging if you are switching between Windows and Mac. I recommend sticking with one product because there isn't good compatibility between the different products.""There may have been some issues with device drivers on my Mac. Similarly, there are some issues with transferring data from Parallels to the Mac."

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"VMware Horizon could be improved with more integration. It is also very costly for Enterprise Plus, which is a drawback. The renewal costs for the license are very, very high.""It is a little bit complex. You need a little bit of experience with ESXi installation and VMware before using this solution. You cannot directly jump to this solution. It also requires training. After you get trained, you can do anything with Horizon 7. In terms of features, it has been sufficient for my needs, but it can always have more features. They can maybe merge the servers. They can give the Horizon 7 server in one package with ESXi.""I would highlight the challenges related to integrating with Microsoft Azure services. Specifically, there are issues with MDM-managed devices and the necessity for MDM-managed compliant devices. In the non-persistent horizon model, there's a delay before each new desktop becomes compliant. Users can access these desktops before fully onboard into the MDM solution.""Areas for improvement in VMware Horizon 7 would be the logging and the troubleshooting, e.g. they could be made clearer.""There is room for improvement in the integration with other parts of the suite. For example, you currently need separate windows to manage app volumes and the dynamic environment manager (DEM).""There is room for improvement in the pricing model.""VMware Horizon needs to integrate with Azure, Teams, and Zoom.""In the next release, I would like to have more support when optimizing the master templates for PDI. There are tools that are available to be used but they are not supported at the moment and are more, "use at your own risk.""

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Pricing and Cost Advice
Information Not Available
  • "Its cost is fair. You can go for a free trial, but for initializing a project, you need to purchase a license. There are different types of licenses."
  • "There are different editions available at different cost points."
  • "I don't know about the price. I know there are different tiers with the license, but I'm not sure exactly what it costs anymore."
  • "It is hard to know for sure. It is definitely in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. It is quite expensive, but you do save money on desktop power, desktop upgrades, etc. You're able to extend the useful life of your previous desktops. Previously, we used to change desktops regularly, and now we just change them when they break."
  • "The VMware Horizon 7 license is for three months. We are in the testing stage, we are still evaluating the product. We are sure now that we need to buy a license for the production environment."
  • "The license is very costly, as well as the renewal cost."
  • "We are happy with the price."
  • "The license for this product is paid on a monthly basis."
  • More VMware Horizon Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:I like how, with Parallels, you can either boot into Mac or Windows to get better control over the resources of the laptops since you're sharing the resources in dual mode.
    Top Answer:If you want the standard version, it is more expensive but more advanced. You get what you pay for. These products cost money, and the company has to make a profit.
    Top Answer:There may have been some issues with device drivers on my Mac. Similarly, there are some issues with transferring data from Parallels to the Mac.
    Top Answer:VMware Workspace One has a powerful set of helpful features. The solution offers very good documentation, the initial setup is easy, and the product is very stable and reliable. I think the fact that… more »
    Top Answer:VMware offers a friendly environment, and it's easy to provide the user with the package. It is a bundled solution that is readily deployable. The advantage lies in its simplicity, it requires minimal… more »
    Top Answer:Pricing for Horizon is relatively high, earning a rating of one out of ten.
    Ranking
    Views
    4,615
    Comparisons
    4,085
    Reviews
    2
    Average Words per Review
    406
    Rating
    7.5
    Views
    5,472
    Comparisons
    4,605
    Reviews
    18
    Average Words per Review
    450
    Rating
    8.9
    Comparisons
    Learn More
    Parallels
    Video Not Available
    Overview
    Parallels Desktop Business Edition brings Windows and Windows applications to employees on Mac and enables integration of Mac computers into any work environment from education to financial services, technology, consulting, or medical. Optimized for Windows 10 and 7, macOS High Sierra, and Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. It can help employees to run business-critical applications without compromise: Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, Quicken and QuickBooks for Windows, Access, Project, Autodesk Revit and Inventor, CorelDRAW, ArcGIS, Visio, QuickBooks, Internet Explorer and Adobe Photoshop. Parallels Desktop restricts External Device Access that enforces policies on the use of USB devices, smart cards, and any other external devices plugged into a Mac, for use in Windows. It creates an Expiring Virtual Machines, time-bound and encrypted, that will automatically expire and lock at a defined time to ensure additional security when corporate data is shared externally. Also, Parallels Desktop Business Edition can be deployed through standard software deployment tools. Mass deployment is supported with Jamf Pro, Apple Remote Desktop, IBM Endpoint Manager, Parallels Mac Management for Microsoft SCCM, and other solutions.

    VMware Horizon is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution designed to allow users to create secure and scalable virtual desktops and applications that work on any device, from any location. These virtualization capabilities help simplify and speed up application delivery and greatly reduce enterprise costs.

    VMware Horizon’s centralized management console provides IT admins with comprehensive control over all of their virtual desktops and applications, making them simple to manage and secure. The solution enables using features such as identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, and encryption, to ensure ultimate data protection.

    VMware Horizon benefits:


    Some of key the benefits of using VMware Horizon include:


    • Increased security: VMware Horizon includes multiple security features such as identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, and encryption, to ensure a high level of security and data privacy.


    • Compliance: Meet regulatory and compliance requirements by providing users with secure and controlled access to data and applications.


    • Reduced costs: By using VMware Horizon, organizations can reduce the costs associated with managing and maintaining physical desktops and applications, as well as reduce the costs associated with providing secure remote access to these resources.


    • Easy management: VMware Horizon provides IT administrators with a user-friendly centralized management system, making it easier and faster to manage and secure their virtual desktops and applications.


    • Enhanced user experience: Users are able to access their virtual desktops and applications from any device, and from any location. Work from any location, without being tied to a specific device or area.


    VMware Horizon features:


    Some of the top features of VMware Horizon include:


    • Virtual desktops: Create secure and scalable virtual desktops, with a choice of operating systems and settings.


    • Virtual applications: Create virtual applications that can be run from any device or operating system.


    • Central management: Control and manage virtual desktops and applications from a single pane of glass.

    • Quick duplications: Clone virtual machines and applications instantly.


    • Scalability: VMware Horizon can scale on demand to meet the needs of any business large or small.


    • Reporting and analytics: Gain insight into user activity and behavior with detailed analytics and reporting.


    • Security features and ID management: Ensure the security and privacy of data with a wide variety of security features, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and network security.


    • Seamless integration: VMware Horizon integrates easily with other VMware solutions, including VMware vSphere, VMware NSX, and VMware Workspace ONE.


    Reviews from Real Users

    VMware Horizon stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Several major ones are its high performance, flexibility, and powerful virtualization capabilities.

    Natnael A., a consultant at IWM Network Solutions, writes, “The app virtualizing is a great feature. The system developers use it to deliver apps to targeted staff. It basically reduces the server infrastructure resource. The solution provides good functionality.”

    Rob M., a systems administrator at Saint Tammany Parish Hospital, says, “The solution has provided flexibility by allowing an end user to remote in, log in, and get their VM. VDI session and have all the icons and applications they need to use and retain the same booking view regardless of location.”

    Sample Customers
    Lytro, University of Washington, Slalom, Veeva Systems, Oklahoma Christian University
    LCMC Health
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Educational Organization10%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    University9%
    REVIEWERS
    University19%
    Government19%
    Computer Software Company14%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company13%
    Government11%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Financial Services Firm8%
    Company Size
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business32%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise50%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business52%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise30%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business21%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise63%
    Buyer's Guide
    Parallels Desktop vs. VMware Horizon
    May 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Parallels Desktop vs. VMware Horizon and other solutions. Updated: May 2024.
    772,679 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Parallels Desktop is ranked 9th in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) with 2 reviews while VMware Horizon is ranked 3rd in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) with 34 reviews. Parallels Desktop is rated 7.6, while VMware Horizon is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of Parallels Desktop writes "A great platform to develop interoperable code on". On the other hand, the top reviewer of VMware Horizon writes "Compelling solution for virtual desktop infrastructure with advanced technology, straightforward licensing, easy setup, and seamless integration". Parallels Desktop is most compared with VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation, NComputing vSpace and NVIDIA GRID, whereas VMware Horizon is most compared with Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, VMware Workspace ONE, VMware Horizon View and VMware Player. See our Parallels Desktop vs. VMware Horizon report.

    See our list of best Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) vendors.

    We monitor all Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.