Parallels Desktop vs Virtual PC : Which is Better?

Parallels Desktop icon

Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop for Mac, by Parallels, is software providing hardware virtualization for Macintosh computers with Intel processors. Developed by Parallels IP Holdings GmbH

License: Commercial

Apps available for Mac OS X

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Virtual PC icon

Virtual PC

Virtual PC is free virtualization software for Windows. Developed by Microsoft

License: Free

Apps available for Windows

Parallels Desktop VS Virtual PC

Parallels Desktop offers a premium virtualization experience with seamless integration into macOS, high performance, and support for various operating systems. In contrast, Virtual PC is a free, lightweight option, but lacks the advanced features and support for modern OSes that Parallels provides.

Parallels Desktop

Pros:

  • Seamless integration with macOS
  • Supports a wide range of operating systems
  • High performance and speed
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Supports DirectX and OpenGL for gaming

Cons:

  • Paid software with subscription model
  • Requires a Mac to run
  • Can be resource-heavy on lower-end systems

Virtual PC

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Lightweight and less resource-intensive
  • Compatible with older Windows versions
  • Basic virtualization features
  • Simple interface

Cons:

  • Limited support for modern operating systems
  • Less features compared to premium alternatives
  • Infrequent updates

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