# Parallels Desktop

The flagship, Microsoft-authorized way to run Windows on a Mac — including Windows 11 on Apple Silicon — from the company that’s been building Mac virtualization since 2006.

- **Category:** [Utilities](https://notchlist.vercel.app/category/utilities/)
- **Price:** From $54.99/yr (Standard, discounted from $99.99), or $219.99 one-time (current version only, no guaranteed future-OS compatibility); Pro $65.99/yr (subscription only); Business $97.49/yr per seat; Enterprise custom
- **Open source:** no
- **Official site:** https://www.parallels.com
- **Available via:** Mac App Store, Direct
- **Requirements:** macOS 13.3 or newer (Mac App Store listing)
- **Maker:** Parallels International GmbH

## Kitsmith's take

The default pick for anyone who needs real Windows compatibility rather than a Linux-flavored alternative: officially authorized by Microsoft for Windows 11 Arm on Apple Silicon, with two-click setup that sources the Windows image for you. It’s a subscription now for ongoing updates — Standard runs $54.99/yr (discounted from $99.99) or $219.99 as a one-time, current-version-only purchase; Pro (developers, more RAM/vCPUs, CLI tools) is subscription-only at $65.99/yr.

## Features

- **Microsoft-authorized Windows 11 on Apple Silicon:** The only solution Microsoft has authorized to run Windows 11 Arm editions on Apple Silicon Macs, per Parallels.
- **Two-click Windows setup:** Downloads, installs, and configures Windows without you sourcing a Windows image yourself.
- **Deep macOS integration:** Share your Mac’s camera, trackpad, and files with Windows apps, or run them side-by-side with Mac apps in Coherence mode.

## FAQ

**Is Parallels Desktop free?**

The Mac App Store download is free, but you need a paid subscription or one-time license to actually run a virtual machine. Standard starts at $54.99/yr.

**Can Parallels Desktop run Windows 11 on an M-series Mac?**

Yes — it’s the solution Microsoft has officially authorized for running Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise (Arm editions) on Apple Silicon.

**What’s the difference between Standard and Pro?**

Pro adds more virtual RAM/vCPUs, a command-line interface, and nested virtualization (Docker, Android Studio, and similar workflows), and is subscription-only — Standard can be bought as a one-time, current-version-only license instead.


---

Hand-verified listing on Kitsmith: https://notchlist.vercel.app/apps/parallels-desktop/