Boxes vs Parallels Desktop

Struggling to choose between Boxes and Parallels Desktop? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Boxes is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like virtualization, opensource, operating-systems.

It boasts features such as Runs multiple operating systems in isolated environments, Supports many popular operating systems like Windows, Linux, Android, Easy to install and set up virtual machines, Open source and free to use, Lightweight resource usage, Live migration of virtual machines between hosts, 3D acceleration support, Snapshotting for easy restores, Shared folders for host-guest file transfers and pros including Free and open source, Simple and easy to use, Good performance, Supports many operating systems, Lightweight on system resources, Active development and community support.

On the other hand, Parallels Desktop is a Os & Utilities product tagged with virtualization, macos, windows, linux, parallel-computing.

Its standout features include Run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems virtually alongside macOS, Seamless integration and usability with macOS, Shared folders allow easy file transfer between macOS and virtual machines, Resource optimization for improved performance, Easy installation and setup of virtual machines, Snapshots allow you to save and restore virtual machine state, Travel mode to easily move virtual machines between Macs, 3D graphics acceleration support, Retina display support, Touch Bar support, Virtual printing and other peripherals, and it shines with pros like Excellent performance and usability, Easy to set up and use, Seamless integration with macOS, Shared folders make file transfer easy, Good virtual machine customization options.

Feature	Boxes	Parallels Desktop
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Os & Utilities	Os & Utilities

Product Overview

Boxes

Description: Boxes is an open-source virtualization platform that allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single machine. It is designed to be simple, lightweight, and easy to set up.

Parallels Desktop

Description: Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software for macOS that allows users to run multiple operating systems, including Windows and Linux, alongside macOS on a Mac computer. Known for its ease of use and performance, Parallels Desktop provides a seamless integration of virtual machines with the macOS environment.

Key Features Comparison

Boxes Features

• Runs multiple operating systems in isolated environments
• Supports many popular operating systems like Windows, Linux, Android
• Easy to install and set up virtual machines
• Open source and free to use
• Lightweight resource usage
• Live migration of virtual machines between hosts
• 3D acceleration support
• Snapshotting for easy restores
• Shared folders for host-guest file transfers

Parallels Desktop Features

• Run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems virtually alongside macOS
• Seamless integration and usability with macOS
• Shared folders allow easy file transfer between macOS and virtual machines
• Resource optimization for improved performance
• Easy installation and setup of virtual machines
• Snapshots allow you to save and restore virtual machine state
• Travel mode to easily move virtual machines between Macs
• 3D graphics acceleration support
• Retina display support
• Touch Bar support
• Virtual printing and other peripherals

Pros & Cons Analysis

Boxes

Pros

• Free and open source
• Simple and easy to use
• Good performance
• Supports many operating systems
• Lightweight on system resources
• Active development and community support

Cons

• Limited features compared to paid options
• No commercial support
• Less stable than mature virtualization platforms
• Lacks advanced management features

Parallels Desktop

Pros

• Excellent performance and usability
• Easy to set up and use
• Seamless integration with macOS
• Shared folders make file transfer easy
• Good virtual machine customization options

Cons

• Can be resource-intensive
• Expensive compared to competitors
• Limited support for older macOS versions
• Advanced features require paid upgrades

Pricing Comparison

Boxes

• Open Source
• Free

Parallels Desktop

• Subscription
• One-time Purchase