Parallels Desktop 27 remains the easiest way to run Windows alongside macOS. If you need a Windows-only work, study or specialist business application but want to keep using your Mac for everything else, it is still the option I would start with.
The appeal is not simply that it runs Windows. Free alternatives such as VMware Fusion can do that too. Parallels earns its price by making the experience feel much less like managing a separate computer: Windows installs with very little effort, files can move between the two operating systems, and Windows apps can sit beside Mac apps in the Dock.
I’ve used Parallels for years on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs, and the setup video and screenshots below reflect the part of the experience that still sets it apart: it makes Windows feel like an extra workspace on your Mac rather than a project to maintain.
It is not right for everyone. Parallels is a paid product, Windows licensing is separate, and modern Windows games remain a weak point. But for regular use of a Windows-only application, it is the most polished local Windows solution I have used on a Mac.
| At a glance | Parallels Desktop 27 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Windows-only work, education and business software on Apple silicon Macs |
| Less suitable for | DirectX 12 gaming, strict anti-cheat games and apps that need specialist drivers or nested virtualization |
| Mac support | Apple silicon only; Intel Macs should use Parallels Desktop 26 |
| Windows support | Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise on Arm |
| Free trial | 14 days |
What Is Parallels Desktop?
Parallels Desktop is virtual-machine software. It creates a Windows environment inside macOS, allowing you to run Windows and Mac applications at the same time without restarting your Mac.
That makes it useful for people who need a Windows-only application such as Microsoft Access, Power BI Desktop, Visio desktop, Project, an industry-specific accounting package or a work application supplied by an employer. It is also useful for developers who need a separate Windows, Linux or macOS testing environment.
On an Apple silicon Mac, Parallels installs and runs Windows 11 on Arm. Windows on Arm can run many conventional x86 and x64 Windows applications through Microsoft’s own emulation layer, but compatibility is not identical to a normal Intel Windows PC. If one particular application, driver, USB device or game matters to you, test it during the free trial before buying.
What’s New in Parallels Desktop 27?
Parallels Desktop 27 is more of a technical update than a dramatic redesign, but its changes matter to the people most likely to need Windows on a modern Mac.
The headline change is that version 27 is built for Apple silicon Macs only. It supports macOS Golden Gate as well as Tahoe, Sequoia and Sonoma, while Intel Mac owners should stay on Parallels Desktop 26.
Parallels 27 also moves Windows graphics support from OpenGL 4.1 to OpenGL 4.3 using a new Metal-based driver. This is most relevant to people using technical Windows software, including some CAD, GIS, engineering and 3D applications that previously needed a newer OpenGL version. Parallels says the driver can be significantly faster on M3 Macs and later, but performance will still depend on the particular application and Mac configuration.
There is also new acceleration for some matrix-heavy AI and machine-learning workloads on M4 and newer Macs. That is aimed primarily at Linux virtual machines and developers; it is not a general performance boost for every Windows application.
Parallels Desktop 27 System Requirements
Parallels Desktop 27 requires an Apple silicon Mac, including M-series Macs and the A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo. It does not install on Intel Macs.
For a basic Windows setup, Parallels lists 8GB of unified memory as the minimum. In practice, I would treat 16GB as the sensible starting point if you plan to leave Windows open alongside several Mac apps, work with large files or use anything more demanding than routine productivity software.
You also need macOS Sonoma 14.7 or later, macOS Sequoia 15.5 or later, macOS Tahoe 26 or macOS Golden Gate 27. Parallels itself needs about 600MB of storage, but Windows, updates and applications will require considerably more free space over time.
If you have an Intel Mac, Parallels Desktop 26 remains the right version. It continues to support Intel hardware and is the version to use if you still rely on Boot Camp.
Setting Up Windows 11 in Parallels
One of Parallels’ strongest points is its setup process. The installation assistant can download Windows 11 on Arm, create the virtual machine and configure the essential settings without requiring you to find an ARM installation image or manually build a virtual PC.
The important cost detail is that Parallels does not include a Windows license. Microsoft’s supported Apple-silicon route is Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, and each Windows virtual machine needs its own eligible license. However, you can still use Windows 11 without activating it – you just need to put up with a small watermark and you won’t be able to customize it. If you have a transferable Windows 11 Pro retail key, it may activate Windows on Arm; otherwise, for the full experience, include a new Windows license in your total cost.
Once installed, you can run Windows in a normal window, full screen or Coherence mode. Coherence hides the Windows desktop and lets individual Windows applications appear alongside Mac apps. It is particularly useful when you only need one Windows program during an otherwise Mac-based working day.
How Well Does Parallels Run Windows Apps?
For ordinary work, Parallels is impressively convincing. Microsoft Office, browsers, email, accounting software, databases and most mainstream business applications behave much as they would on a PC. You can install Windows software normally, save files normally and use Windows keyboard shortcuts when you need them.
The important caveat is Windows on Arm. It can emulate a large number of older x86 and x64 applications, but software that relies on low-level drivers, specialist hardware, anti-cheat systems, Hyper-V, WSL2, Windows Sandbox or virtualization-based security may not work. That does not make Parallels unreliable; it means that a virtualized Arm version of Windows is not the same thing as a native x64 Windows PC.
This is why I would not buy Parallels solely because a compatibility list says an application should work. Install the trial, run the exact app you need, connect the exact peripheral you use and make sure the that everything works as expected before committing.
Windows and macOS Integration
Integration is where Parallels is noticeably better than most alternatives. It gives you three useful ways to work:
- Windowed mode: Windows stays in its own resizable window, which is the clearest option if you prefer to keep the two operating systems separate.
- Full-screen mode: Windows takes over a desktop space and feels closer to using a dedicated Windows PC.
- Coherence mode: Individual Windows apps appear beside Mac apps, and you can keep them in the Dock without looking at the Windows desktop.
Copy and paste, shared folders and drag and drop make it easy to move documents between macOS and Windows. You can choose whether Windows has access to folders such as Desktop and Downloads, or only share specific working folders.
That convenience is one of Parallels’ biggest strengths, but it is worth checking the sharing settings carefully if you work with confidential files.
Parallels can also use your Mac’s display, keyboard, trackpad, camera, microphone, printers and many USB devices. When you connect an external drive, Parallels can ask whether it should be used by macOS or Windows, which avoids the confusion of trying to access the same drive from both at once.
Does Parallels Slow Down a Mac?
It can, while Windows is running. Your Mac is effectively running two operating systems at once, so Windows takes a share of the processor, unified memory and graphics resources that macOS would otherwise use.
On a Mac with 16GB or more of memory, routine Windows work should feel responsive alongside normal Mac use. An 8GB Mac can meet the minimum requirements, but it has much less room for heavy browser use, large spreadsheets, demanding Windows apps or multiple Mac applications at the same time.
Start with Parallels’ recommended automatic settings. If Windows feels slow, shut it down before changing Configuration > Hardware > CPU & Memory. Do not give the virtual machine more than about half of your Mac’s memory unless you have a specific reason to do so, as macOS still needs enough resources to remain responsive.
The Standard edition can allocate up to 8GB of virtual memory and four virtual CPUs to a single virtual machine. That is ample for many everyday applications, but it is the key reason power users may need Pro.
Is Parallels Good for Gaming?
Parallels can play some Windows games, but it is not the best reason to buy it.
Parallels Desktop 27 supports DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4.3, not DirectX 12. It can work well with some older, lighter and compatible DirectX 11 games, especially on a Mac with at least 16GB of memory. Compatible Xbox, PlayStation and other controllers paired with macOS can also work in Windows through Parallels.
However, many recent PC games need DirectX 12, a native x64 Windows environment or anti-cheat software that will not run inside a virtual machine. Games that require Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) or nested virtualization can also be a problem on Apple silicon Macs.
If gaming is the main goal, test the exact title in the trial. For newer games, anti-cheat multiplayer titles and DirectX 12 releases, a native Mac version, cloud gaming, a Windows PC or a compatible game in CrossOver is usually a better route. For more options, see our guide to the best ways to play Windows games on a Mac.
Standard vs Pro vs Business: Which Edition Should You Buy?
Most people should start with Standard. It provides the core Parallels experience: Windows installation, Coherence mode, shared folders, copy and paste, USB support and the ability to run everyday Windows applications.
| Edition | Best for | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Home users, students and people with ordinary Windows software | Up to 8GB virtual memory and four virtual CPUs; annual or one-time purchase |
| Pro | Developers, technical users and people running demanding Windows apps | Up to 128GB virtual memory and 32 virtual CPUs, plus command-line, networking and development tools |
| Business | Small businesses and managed teams | Centralized licensing, deployment and management features |
| Enterprise | Larger IT-managed organizations | Advanced provisioning, policy and single sign-on controls |
Pro is worth considering if you run multiple virtual machines, work with more demanding technical applications or regularly hit Standard’s 8GB/four-CPU limit. It also includes developer tools such as command-line control and advanced networking options.
However, Pro does not remove the underlying Apple-silicon limitations of Windows on Arm. In particular, features that depend on nested virtualization, such as WSL2, Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox, are not supported in this setup.
Parallels Desktop Pricing and Value
Parallels Desktop is available in Standard, Pro, Business and Enterprise editions. Most home users, students and people who need one or two Windows-only applications will be fine with Standard.
| Edition | Best for | Standard list price* |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Everyday Windows apps, Office, education and business software | $99.99 / £89.99 per year, or $219.99 / £154.99 one-time |
| Pro | Developers, designers, engineers and power users | $119.99 / £99.99 per year |
| Business | Teams that need managed licences and deployment tools | $149.99 / £119.99 per year |
| Enterprise | Larger managed deployments | Contact Parallels |
*Prices checked in October 2026. Parallels frequently runs promotions, so check the current price before buying.
The Standard version is aimed at general and home users that want to run Windows only apps and games on their Mac. There’s also a one time purchase option of $219.99/£154.99 for the Standard Edition only but this is only valid for one year, doesn’t include free updates and may not work with future versions of macOS. I don’t recommend this option as you’ll have to pay almost the same again to upgrade it eventually so that it supports the latest version of macOS and get any new features that are added.
The Pro version of Parallels is aimed at developers of apps and games that need debugging tools such as support for Microsoft Visual Studio and AI virtual machines.
The Business Version of Parallels is aimed at large enterprises that need to manage multiple licenses of Parallels in an office environment.
All plans include free updates to the product as long as you maintain a subscription.
If you buy any version direct from Parallels, there’s also a 30 day money back guarantee although this doesn’t apply if you buy it from another retailer.
Parallels also offers a 50% discount to students and teachers.
You can try a free 14 day trial of Parallels to test it for yourself first.
You can see how the Standard, Pro and Business Editions differ below.
The overall value depends on how often you need Windows. If you use a Windows-only app every week, Parallels can be much more convenient than owning and maintaining a second computer. If you only need Windows a few times a year, the combined cost of Parallels and a Windows license is harder to justify.
Parallels Desktop Alternatives
Parallels is not the only way to run Windows software on a Mac. The best alternative depends on what you need to run.
| Alternative | Better when | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| VMware Fusion | You want a free, capable virtual machine and are comfortable with a more technical setup | Less polished setup and day-to-day Mac integration |
| CrossOver | You only need a compatible Windows application or game and do not want to install Windows | Compatibility varies by application and it is not a full Windows environment |
| Windows 365 or a remote Windows PC | You need a full Windows PC environment, specialist drivers or broader enterprise compatibility | Ongoing cost and dependence on a reliable internet connection |
You can also compare the major options in our guide to the best virtual machines for Mac.
Should You Buy Parallels Desktop 27?
Parallels Desktop 27 is worth buying if you regularly need Windows on an Apple silicon Mac and want the least complicated, most integrated local solution.
It is particularly strong for Windows-only business software, education tools, databases, Microsoft Office add-ins, specialist applications and general Windows productivity. Standard is the right starting point for most people, while Pro is for users who genuinely need more resources or development controls.
The drawbacks are clear: it costs money, Windows licensing is separate, and it cannot overcome every limitation of Windows on Arm or virtualized gaming. But those limitations are easier to live with when the Windows application you need works properly and is available in a couple of clicks alongside the rest of your Mac.
For most Mac users who depend on Windows software more than occasionally, Parallels remains my top recommendation.
FAQ
Can Parallels Desktop run Windows 11 on a Mac?
Yes. On an Apple silicon Mac, Parallels runs Windows 11 on Arm. Microsoft identifies Parallels Desktop as an authorized solution for running Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise in a virtual environment on Apple silicon Macs.
Does Parallels Desktop include a Windows license?
No. Parallels Desktop is the software that creates the virtual machine. You need a separate, eligible Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise license for a fully activated Windows installation.
Does Parallels Desktop 27 work on Intel Macs?
No. Parallels Desktop 27 is Apple-silicon-only. Intel Mac owners should use Parallels Desktop 26, which continues to receive maintenance and security updates.
Is Parallels safe to use on a Mac?
Parallels keeps Windows in a separate virtual machine, which provides useful separation from macOS. However, it is not an impenetrable security boundary. Keep Windows and macOS updated, use sensible Windows security precautions and take care with folders shared between the two systems.
Can Parallels run Windows games on a Mac?
It can run some compatible DirectX 11 games, but it is not a reliable solution for all Windows games. DirectX 12 titles, games with strict anti-cheat systems and demanding recent releases are often better played through another method.
Can you try Parallels Desktop for free?
Yes. Parallels offers a 14-day free trial. That is the best way to test the Windows application, game or peripheral that matters to you before paying for Parallels or a Windows license.