Buy a Parallels Desktop licence

What is Parallels Desktop?

Parallels Desktop is virtualisation software for macOS. It enables you to install an additional operating system, such as Windows or Linux, as a virtual machine on your Mac and use it alongside macOS. Unlike traditional dual-boot solutions, you do not need to restart your Mac to switch between macOS and Windows. Instead, both operating environments run simultaneously.

Using Windows programmes on a Mac

The main advantage of Parallels Desktop is the ease with which you can use Windows programmes on your Mac. Many users prefer to work with macOS but require specific Windows applications for work, study, administration, bookkeeping, development or specialised software. With Parallels Desktop, you can run such programmes directly on your Mac without needing to have a separate Windows PC to hand. This is particularly useful if you only need Windows software for specific tasks but do not want to switch back and forth between your Mac and Windows hardware all the time. Files, programmes and workflows remain centrally available on your Mac.

Using Windows and macOS side by side

With Parallels Desktop, you can not only open Windows as a separate system, but also integrate it very closely with macOS. Depending on your working style, you can use Windows in full-screen mode, in a programme window, or integrated in such a way that Windows apps appear similar to Mac apps. This makes it easier to switch between programmes and ensures a smooth workflow.

This flexibility is a major advantage, particularly in a professional setting: for example, you can open a Windows application for accounting, ERP, data analysis or development whilst continuing to work with Mac apps such as Mail, Safari, Pages, Keynote or Finder.

Who would benefit from a Parallels Desktop licence?

A Parallels Desktop licence for Mac is worth it for anyone who wants to use macOS but also relies on Windows applications. It’s suitable for everyone from home users and the self-employed to businesses, developers and IT teams.

Parallels Desktop for home users

Home users benefit from Parallels Desktop if they wish to run Windows programmes on their Mac that are not available – or not fully available – for macOS. These may include older applications, management programmes, educational software, tax programmes, specific tools or Windows-only programmes.

Those switching from a Windows PC to a Mac will also find Parallels Desktop a practical solution: familiar Windows applications can continue to be used, whilst retaining the benefits of macOS.

Parallels Desktop for the self-employed and businesses

Parallels Desktop is particularly useful for the self-employed and businesses where business-critical software only runs on Windows. This includes, for example, industry-specific programmes, accounting software, ERP solutions, management software, database tools or certain Microsoft applications in their Windows versions.

Instead of purchasing additional Windows devices, staff can continue to use their Mac hardware and launch Windows applications in a virtual environment as and when required. This saves space, reduces the need to switch between devices and simplifies day-to-day work.

Parallels Desktop for developers and power users

Developers, administrators and technically advanced users often opt for the Pro Edition. Compared to the Standard Edition, it offers more virtual resources and additional features such as nested virtualisation, linked clones, rollback mode, advanced networking features and command-line tools. Parallels explicitly positions the Pro Edition for developers, web and graphic designers, power users and demanding professional users. For testing, development environments, multiple virtual machines or resource-intensive applications, a Pro or Business licence is therefore usually the better choice.

Which version of Parallels Desktop is the right one?

When purchasing a Parallels Desktop licence, you should consider which edition suits your intended use. The main versions are Parallels Desktop Standard, Parallels Desktop Pro and Parallels Desktop Business.

Parallels Desktop Standard for everyday use and office tasks

The Standard Edition is suitable for typical everyday tasks. These include Office programmes, simple Windows applications, management software, light business tools, browser testing or occasional use of Windows on a Mac. If you mainly wish to use individual Windows programmes and do not have particularly high performance requirements, Parallels Desktop Standard is sufficient in many cases.

According to Parallels, the Standard Edition is intended for personal use and supports up to 8 GB of vRAM and 4 virtual CPUs per virtual machine.

Parallels Desktop Pro for performance, development and demanding workflows

The Pro Edition is aimed at users who require more performance and advanced features. It is suitable for developers, IT professionals, designers, power users and those who regularly work with virtual machines. Compared to the Standard Edition, the Pro Edition supports significantly higher virtual resources: up to 128 GB of vRAM and up to 32 virtual CPUs per virtual machine.

Additional features such as system and performance monitoring tools, command-line interfaces, developer tools and command-line functions make the Pro Edition particularly suitable for test environments, development projects and technical workflows.

Parallels Desktop Business for teams and businesses

The Business Edition is designed for teams, small businesses and managed IT environments. It offers features for centralised administration, licence management, provision and enterprise use. Parallels describes the Business Edition as a solution for teams and small businesses with centralised administration and licence management. Parallels Desktop Business is therefore the right choice for organisations with multiple users, IT management, standardised workstations or centralised rollouts.

Using Parallels Desktop on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

Parallels Desktop supports modern Macs with Apple Silicon chips, as well as many Intel-based Macs. It is important to check the relevant version, the macOS being used and the desired version of Windows before purchasing.

Parallels Desktop for Macs with M-chips

On Macs with Apple Silicon chips – such as the M1, M2, M3, M4 or newer M-series chips – Windows is virtualised in its ARM version. Microsoft lists Parallels Desktop as an authorised solution for running ARM versions of Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise on Apple M-series Macs in a virtual environment.

This is particularly relevant for users of current MacBook, iMac, Mac mini and Mac Studio models. Many modern Windows applications run natively on Windows 11 ARM or via emulation. Nevertheless, specialised software with high performance requirements, drivers, older programmes and hardware-dependent applications should be tested before being used in a production environment.

Parallels Desktop for Intel Macs

Intel Macs may also continue to be supported, depending on the Parallels version and macOS version. According to the system requirements for Parallels Desktop 26, the supported processors include Intel Core i5, i7, i9, Intel Core M and Xeon processors.

Intel Macs are particularly relevant if you intend to use older x86-based Windows environments or certain legacy applications. Here, too, you should check before purchasing whether your Mac, your macOS version and the desired Windows environment are compatible with the relevant version of Parallels Desktop.

Buy Parallels Desktop from LizenzDeals24

If you’d like to buy a Parallels Desktop licence, LizenzDeals24 offers a digital software solution for your Mac. You can order conveniently online, so you’ll receive your licence details quickly and can start the installation straight away.

Digital provision

After purchase, your Parallels Desktop licence will be provisioned digitally. This means you don’t have to wait for a physical disc; instead, you can download, install and activate the software straight away. This is particularly handy if you need to use Windows applications on your Mac at short notice.

Installation support and 100% activation guarantee

LizenzDeals24 is here to help with any queries regarding purchase, download, installation and activation. With virtualisation software in particular, expert support is invaluable if you’re unsure which edition you need or how to set it up on your Mac.

The right licence for every need and Trusted Shops buyer protection

The right licence depends on how intensively you intend to use Parallels Desktop. For simple Windows applications and occasional use, the Standard Edition is often sufficient. For developers, power users and demanding workflows, the Pro Edition is usually more suitable. For businesses, teams and centrally managed environments, the Business Edition is the right choice.

At LizenzDeals24, you can order securely online and also benefit from Trusted Shops Buyer Protection. This means you can purchase your Parallels Desktop licence with confidence and receive expert support if you have any questions regarding your order, download or activation.

Parallels Desktop licence: your benefits at a glance

• Run Windows programmes directly on your Mac
• No need to restart between macOS and Windows
• Ideal for Office, business, accounting, development and specialist software
• Support for modern Macs with Apple Silicon chips and many Intel-based Macs
• Depending on the edition, suitable for everyday use, professional use or business
• Digital provision after purchase
• Easy installation and activation
• Support for queries regarding activation and use

With a Parallels Desktop licence, you can combine the benefits of your Mac with the compatibility of a Windows environment. This allows you to remain flexible, productive and independent of any single operating system.