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.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop

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.

Categories:
virtualization macos windows linux parallel-computing

Parallels Desktop Features

  1. Run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems virtually alongside macOS
  2. Seamless integration and usability with macOS
  3. Shared folders allow easy file transfer between macOS and virtual machines
  4. Resource optimization for improved performance
  5. Easy installation and setup of virtual machines
  6. Snapshots allow you to save and restore virtual machine state
  7. Travel mode to easily move virtual machines between Macs
  8. 3D graphics acceleration support
  9. Retina display support
  10. Touch Bar support
  11. Virtual printing and other peripherals

Pricing

  • Subscription
  • One-time Purchase

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

virt-manager

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.

Categories:
virtualization kvm xen libvirt open-source

Virt-manager Features

  1. Graphical interface to manage virtual machines
  2. Supports KVM and Xen hypervisors
  3. Create, start, pause, and stop VMs
  4. Live migration of VMs between hosts
  5. Remote connection via SSH/TLS
  6. VM console access
  7. Storage and network management
  8. VM snapshots

Pricing

  • Open Source

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