Parallels Desktop vs virt-manager

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

Parallels Desktop is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like virtualization, macos, windows, linux, parallel-computing.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including 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.

On the other hand, virt-manager is a Network & Admin product tagged with virtualization, kvm, xen, libvirt, open-source.

Its standout features include Graphical interface to manage virtual machines, Supports KVM and Xen hypervisors, Create, start, pause, and stop VMs, Live migration of VMs between hosts, Remote connection via SSH/TLS, VM console access, Storage and network management, VM snapshots, and it shines with pros like Open source and free, Simple and easy to use GUI, Good for managing multiple VMs, Active development and community support.

Feature	Parallels Desktop	virt-manager
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Os & Utilities	Network & Admin

Product Overview

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.

virt-manager

Description: virt-manager is an open-source graphical tool for managing virtual machines using libvirt. It provides a simple way to view, control, and manage guest virtual machines running on the KVM and Xen hypervisors.

Key Features Comparison

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

virt-manager Features

• Graphical interface to manage virtual machines
• Supports KVM and Xen hypervisors
• Create, start, pause, and stop VMs
• Live migration of VMs between hosts
• Remote connection via SSH/TLS
• VM console access
• Storage and network management
• VM snapshots

Pros & Cons Analysis

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

virt-manager

Pros

• Open source and free
• Simple and easy to use GUI
• Good for managing multiple VMs
• Active development and community support

Cons

• Limited features compared to paid solutions
• Steep learning curve for beginners
• No native support for other hypervisors like VMware
• Buggy release sometimes

Pricing Comparison

Parallels Desktop

• Subscription
• One-time Purchase

virt-manager

• Open Source