VMware Workstation Pro vs Parallels Desktop

VMware Workstation Pro8.8Visit Parallels Desktop7.9Visit

Higher score VMware Workstation Pro #3 in Virtual Machine Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit VMware

vs

Parallels Desktop #8 in Virtual Machine Software 7.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit site

• VMware Workstation Pro fits best

  Free Windows and Linux desktop virtualization

• Parallels Desktop fits best

  Mac users running Windows and Linux

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Side by side

Feature	VMware Workstation Pro 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Parallels Desktop 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Virtual Machine Software	#8 in Virtual Machine Software
Best for	Free Windows and Linux desktop virtualization	Mac users running Windows and Linux
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, Linux	macOS
Support	Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	1 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features VMware Workstation Pro 3/3 · Parallels Desktop 3/3
VM snapshots	✓	✓
Nested virtualization	✓	✓
GPU acceleration	✓	✓
Specs
Host platforms	Windows, Linux	macOS
Guest architecture	X86_64	Both
Management interface	Desktop	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Runs multiple VMs concurrently with snapshots and cloning Includes encrypted VMs, vTPM, UEFI, and Secure Boot Supports containers, Kubernetes, 3D graphics, and vSphere connectivity	Runs Windows, Linux, and macOS virtual machines alongside macOS Supports Apple silicon and Intel guests with virtualized 3D graphics Adds snapshots, nested virtualization, and business administration
Cons	Host support is limited to Windows and Linux Nested hypervisors are not generally supported Management is provided through a desktop interface	Requires macOS as the host platform No free plan; the free trial lasts 14 days Apple silicon Windows 11 guests do not support nested virtualization
Our verdict	VMware Workstation Pro is a desktop hypervisor for IT professionals, developers, educators, and other users who need isolated virtual machines on Windows or Linux PCs. It supports multiple concurrent VMs, configurable virtual networking,… Read the review →	Parallels Desktop is desktop virtualization software for Mac users who need Windows, Linux, or macOS alongside macOS without restarting. It supports Apple silicon and Intel-based Macs, Windows applications, shared files and folders,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• VMware Workstation Pro — where it wins

  • Runs multiple VMs concurrently with snapshots and cloning
  • Includes encrypted VMs, vTPM, UEFI, and Secure Boot
  • Supports containers, Kubernetes, 3D graphics, and vSphere connectivity

  Where it doesn't

  • Host support is limited to Windows and Linux
  • Nested hypervisors are not generally supported
  • Management is provided through a desktop interface

• Parallels Desktop — where it wins

  • Runs Windows, Linux, and macOS virtual machines alongside macOS
  • Supports Apple silicon and Intel guests with virtualized 3D graphics
  • Adds snapshots, nested virtualization, and business administration

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires macOS as the host platform
  • No free plan; the free trial lasts 14 days
  • Apple silicon Windows 11 guests do not support nested virtualization

• VMware Workstation Pro8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free desktop hypervisor with strong VM lifecycle, security, and developer tooling.

  Visit VMwareFull verdict →
• Parallels Desktop7.9/10 · 14-day trial

  A capable Mac virtualization suite for Windows apps, development, and managed deployments.

  Visit siteFull verdict →