Parallels RAS
Swiss-registered app and desktop publishing platform, a Citrix alternative with broad cloud support
Quick Overview
| Company | Parallels International GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Remote Desktop Software |
| Headquarters | Schaffhausen, Switzerland |
| EU Presence | Switzerland (adequacy decision, outside the EEA) |
| Open Source | No |
| Pricing | Per concurrent user, prepaid 1, 2 or 3-year subscription with volume discounts; monthly SPLA billing available for service providers; quote on request |
| Free Option | 30-day free trial, up to 50 concurrent users |
| Replaces | Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, TSplus, Microsoft RDS CALs |
Detailed Review
Parallels RAS is not a remote-support tool in the sense the rest of this category uses the term — it does the same job as TSplus and, at a larger scale, Citrix: publishing Windows applications, desktops and full virtual-desktop sessions to remote users, from infrastructure the customer controls rather than handing a technician the keyboard of one specific machine.
The contracting entity, Parallels International GmbH, is registered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and the product is sold as a single all-inclusive licence rather than feature-gated editions.
Where it goes further than TSplus is platform reach: deployment on-premises, in a private cloud, or directly into Azure Virtual Desktop or AWS, with hypervisor support spanning VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, KVM, Xen and Nutanix, plus clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and a browser. Licensing is per concurrent user on a prepaid one, two or three-year subscription, with volume discounts and a monthly SPLA option for service providers.
Against TSplus's simpler perpetual-per-server model, Parallels RAS trades a subscription for considerably more infrastructure flexibility — the natural comparison is which of the two actually matches the estate you run, not which is remote-support software, because neither one is.
What Parallels RAS does well
- Publishes apps and full desktops, not just one machine
- Runs on-premises, private cloud, Azure Virtual Desktop or AWS
- Hypervisor-agnostic: VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, KVM, Xen, Nutanix
- 30-day free trial for up to 50 concurrent users
- Swiss-registered contracting entity
Where Parallels RAS falls short
- Subscription rather than TSplus-style perpetual licence
- Considerably more complex to deploy than a support tool
- Pricing not published, quote-based only
- Overkill for a helpdesk that just needs remote control
Standout feature. Citrix-class application publishing with hypervisor reach TSplus does not attempt, from a Swiss-registered entity.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Publishes apps and full desktops, not just one machine
- Runs on-premises, private cloud, Azure Virtual Desktop or AWS
- Hypervisor-agnostic: VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, KVM, Xen, Nutanix
- 30-day free trial for up to 50 concurrent users
- Swiss-registered contracting entity
Cons
- Subscription rather than TSplus-style perpetual licence
- Considerably more complex to deploy than a support tool
- Pricing not published, quote-based only
- Overkill for a helpdesk that just needs remote control
Alternatives to Parallels RAS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Parallels RAS?
Parallels RAS is not a remote-support tool in the sense the rest of this category uses the term — it does the same job as TSplus and, at a larger scale, Citrix: publishing Windows applications, desktops and full virtual-desktop sessions to remote users, from infrastructure the customer controls rather than handing a technician the keyboard of one specific machine.
The contracting entity, Parallels International GmbH, is registered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and the product is sold as a single all-inclusive licence rather than feature-gated editions.
Where is Parallels RAS based?
Parallels RAS operates from Schaffhausen, Switzerland, which places it under Switzerland (adequacy decision, outside the EEA).
What does Parallels RAS cost?
Per concurrent user, prepaid 1, 2 or 3-year subscription with volume discounts; monthly SPLA billing available for service providers; quote on request. 30-day free trial, up to 50 concurrent users.
Who is Parallels RAS best for?
Teams publishing apps, not remote-controlling one PC. Citrix-class application publishing with hypervisor reach TSplus does not attempt, from a Swiss-registered entity.
What are the drawbacks of Parallels RAS?
Subscription rather than TSplus-style perpetual licence. Considerably more complex to deploy than a support tool. Pricing not published, quote-based only. Overkill for a helpdesk that just needs remote control.
Is Parallels RAS a good alternative to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops?
Parallels RAS is built as a European alternative to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops: Swiss-registered app and desktop publishing platform, a Citrix alternative with broad cloud support. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
How does Parallels RAS compare to other Remote Desktop Software?
Parallels RAS is one of several European Remote Desktop Software we cover. It is most often compared with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, TSplus, Microsoft RDS CALs.