Seamlessly Blend The Best of Mac, Windows, and Linux Ecosystems
Works on Intel and Apple M-series chips
Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition is a powerful virtualization tool designed to meet the needs of developers, power users, and IT professionals. It provides an enhanced experience for those who need to run multiple operating systems on their Mac, particularly macOS and Windows, with superior performance and advanced features tailored for professional workflows.
With its ability to seamlessly integrate macOS and Windows environments, Parallels Desktop Pro Edition offers robust performance improvements, additional development tools, and powerful virtualization options that make it a must-have for users who demand more than just basic virtualization.
Parallels Desktop Pro Edition
If you're looking for enhanced performance while running multiple operating systems on your Mac, Parallels Desktop Pro is an excellent choice. It includes key features like macOS Sequoia 15 optimization, one-click Windows 11 installation, seamless integration of Windows game controllers, and setup-free usability. The Pro Edition is designed with power users in mind, such as developers, graphic designers, and engineers, ensuring smooth operation for graphic-intensive apps and advanced tools for virtual networking, debugging, and AI-based development.
The Pro Edition brings notable advantages over the Parallels Desktop Standard Edition, particularly with advanced resource management, which allows for higher CPU and RAM allocation, supporting more demanding workloads. Additionally, the Pro version integrates with Visual Studio, offering remote debugging and profiling tools for developers, and features like CLI for macOS VMs on Apple Silicon. Enhanced support for Vagrant, Docker, Packer, and Minikube further streamlines VM management, making it easier than ever to automate and handle complex workflows. The Pro Edition also offers premium 24/7 support, ensuring that users get help when they need it most.
The key differences between the Pro and Standard Editions focus on advanced resource allocation, better support for complex developer tools, and enhanced security features. The Pro Edition’s CLI support and its integration with popular developer tools are key features that distinguish it from the Standard Edition, providing more flexibility for power users.
For professionals like developers, creators, and power users, the Pro Edition is the perfect tool. Its performance boosts and advanced features make it essential for those who need to run demanding software, automate processes, and develop in multi-OS environments. Whether working on AI development, testing applications, or creating high-end graphics, Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition is built to meet the needs of those who require more power and flexibility from their virtual environments.
Features
Enhanced Performance and Resources
Parallels Desktop 20 Pro is designed to handle resource-intensive applications, offering higher CPU and RAM allocations compared to the Standard Edition. This makes it ideal for running demanding software like Visual Studio, AutoCAD, or 3D modeling tools without slowing down the Mac’s performance.
Advanced Virtualization Features
Pro Edition offers advanced virtualization options, including the ability to create and manage snapshots, clone virtual machines, and configure nested virtualizations. These features make it easier to test various software environments, ensuring greater flexibility in managing different systems for development and testing.
Developer Tools Integration
This edition integrates seamlessly with popular developer tools, such as Visual Studio, Vagrant, and Docker, allowing professionals to streamline their development workflows. With features like Microsoft Copilot integration and GitHub Actions, developers can automate processes, manage virtual machines with ease, and reduce repetitive tasks.
Networking and Debugging Capabilities
Networking and debugging are enhanced in the Pro Edition, with support for various networking modes, packet filtering, and more advanced debugging tools. These features are critical for developers and IT pros working on complex projects that require sophisticated testing in isolated environments.
Comprehensive Technical Support and Updates
Pro Edition users receive priority technical support and frequent updates that ensure they are always running the most optimized and secure version of Parallels Desktop. This includes exclusive access to the Parallels AI package (until Dec 31, 2024) for machine learning and AI development, offering additional value to power users.
Key Similarities to the Standard Edition
Both Parallels Desktop 20 Pro and Standard Editions share core features, such as the ability to run multiple operating systems simultaneously, access to Coherence Mode for seamless integration between macOS and Windows, and shared folders and files for easy collaboration between environments. Both versions also provide high-quality graphics support, allowing users to run applications that rely on DirectX 11 and OpenGL with ease.
Differences When Compared to Standard Edition
The Pro Edition offers several advantages over the Standard Edition, particularly in terms of performance and capabilities. While the Standard Edition is designed for everyday users, the Pro Edition allows for higher resource allocation (up to 32 CPUs and 128 GB RAM), advanced networking options, and more robust debugging tools. Additionally, the Pro Edition supports up to 128 virtual machines, while the Standard Edition is limited to fewer VMs. Pro users also benefit from priority support and frequent updates with exclusive features.
One significant feature exclusive to the Pro Edition is the ability to develop, automate, test, and debug software across Windows, Linux, and macOS environments. This capability is essential for developers and IT professionals who need to work on multi-platform applications. The Pro Edition integrates with advanced tools like Visual Studio, Vagrant, and Docker, allowing users to streamline complex workflows. This level of automation and testing is not available in the Standard Edition, making the Pro Edition ideal for professional software development tasks.
Here is the detailed breakdown of all differences, divided into the five groups:
General
In terms of overall features, Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition allows each virtual machine to utilize up to 128GB of virtual RAM and 32 virtual CPUs, making it ideal for high-performance tasks. It supports nested virtualization, enabling tools like WSL 2, Docker, and Android/iPhone emulators to run within a VM. The Pro Edition also features Linked Clones for fast testing environments, Rollback Mode to revert changes upon shutdown, and EFI Secure Boot for security. Additional features include smart card reader sharing and support for mmap() in Linux Shared Folders. It also supports the use of 8.3 filenames for shared folders. In addition, it allows you to prepare VM for transfer to another Mac or cloud storage.
Developer
Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition provides robust tools for developers, making it ideal for software development and testing across multiple platforms. It allows you to use Jenkins to run a build server on a Mac, and provides quick access to debugging, dumping VM data, and starting SSH sessions directly from the menu. The Pro Edition supports guest OS debugging and integrates with the Parallels Vagrant plugin, allowing users to create fast, disk-saving linked clones. Additionally, it supports Docker containers within a VM, including running x86_64 Docker containers on Apple Silicon using Rosetta.
Networking
Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition offers advanced networking features essential for IT professionals and developers. The enhanced network editor allows users to test various connectivity issues and simulate network configurations. With port forwarding, you can route traffic from a Mac port to a specific VM or IP address. The Pro Edition also supports custom host-only networks with user-defined names, and features such as DNS requests over TCP, using VM names as DNS names, and the ability to resolve DNS requests using /etc/resolver files. Additionally, users can employ tcpdump for monitoring virtual networks, offering deeper control and flexibility.
Appearance
Both editions allow seamless interaction between macOS and Windows environments through Coherence Mode, which hides the Windows interface while running Windows apps as if they were native to macOS. However, the Pro Edition also includes visualization tools for enhanced monitoring and management, giving power users greater control over how their virtual machines appear and function in various setups.
The Headless Mode in Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition allows users to run virtual machines without displaying the VM window. This feature is particularly useful for server setups or automated tasks where interaction with the VM’s GUI is unnecessary. Users can still control and manage the VM through the Command Line Interface (CLI) or remote connections, ensuring efficient use of system resources. This mode is not available in the Standard Edition, which requires the VM window to be active for operation.
Other Features
The Pro Edition offers several enhanced features to improve the management of virtual machines. Users can sort VMs in the Control Center and set a custom icon for each VM, making it easier to manage multiple environments. It also allows you to archive/unarchive VMs to save disk space when they’re not in use. The Pro Edition supports connecting physical disks to VMs as internal drives, and includes a Command Line Interface (CLI) with bash (zsh) autocompletion, providing power users with robust control and automation options for managing virtual machines.
Compare Parallels Desktop Editions
Who Needs It?
Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition is best suited for developers, creators, and power users who require advanced tools and more computing resources. Developers benefit from features like seamless integration with development environments, automation tools, and enhanced networking. Creators, such as designers and engineers, will appreciate the powerful graphics support and ability to run demanding applications without slowing down their system. For power users who frequently switch between macOS and Windows or need to run resource-intensive apps, the Pro Edition provides the performance and flexibility they need to stay productive.
Parallels AI Package
The Parallels AI Package in Parallels Desktop 20 is a specialized feature designed for developers and students working on AI projects. It provides a Linux-based virtual machine pre-configured with essential tools for machine learning, large language models (LLMs), and computer vision applications. The package is accessible through the Visual Studio Code extension and enables users to start developing AI solutions quickly, without complex setup. It offers a secure and offline environment for experimenting with AI, enhancing productivity for users focused on AI development.
Initially, the Parallels AI Package is available to the Pro Edition users, but only until December 31, 2024. After that date, in order to utilize the package, users will have to use either Parallels Desktop Business or Enterprise edition.
Numerous Developer Tools for Optimized Programming
As mentioned, Parallels Desktop Pro for Mac is a must in every developer's toolbox. Make full use of the following features:
- Command Line Interface: Control Parallels Desktop for Mac and virtual machines with ease using prlctl and prlsrvctl commands. Enjoy the convenience of auto-completion for these commands in bash and the ability to pass arguments to VM applications.
- Integration with Development Tools: Supports Jenkins, Visual Studio, Docker, Vagrant, and SSH for streamlined development workflows.
- Vagrant: Easily access Parallels virtual machines with Vagrant Parallels Provider. You can download ready-to-use machines or create and share your custom boxes with colleagues. With Vagrant Share, grant access to your VM via SSH or HTTP and simplify collaboration and teamwork.
- Kubernetes via Minikube: Use the Minikube driver for Parallels to establish a Kubernetes cluster locally.
- Docker: The Docker Machine Parallels Driver allows you to generate Docker hosts using Parallels Desktop, resulting in improved shared folders and overall performance.
- Jenkins: Achieve seamless build processes for macOS and iOS apps with Jenkins and continuous integration (CI). Utilize the Jenkins plugin to initiate and manage Parallels Desktop VMs dynamically during build jobs, suspending them during idle time for optimized resource usage and high-density performance.
- Nested Hyper-V Support: Parallels Desktop supports nested virtualization, allowing users to run Hyper-V and other virtual machines and emulators within the software.
- Packer: Use Parallels Builder to create virtual machines in Parallels Desktop.
- Linked Clones: Enables quick creation of VM copies for testing environments.
- Guest OS Debugging: Allows for detailed debugging across multiple operating systems.
- Nested Virtualization: Runs Docker containers, WSL 2, and mobile emulators within VMs.
- Support for Rosetta: Runs x86_64 Docker containers on Apple Silicon Macs.
- Automated Rollback Mode: Reverts changes after VM shutdown for safer testing.
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System Requirements
Before purchasing Parallels Desktop 20 Pro Edition, ensure your Mac meets the latest requirements. Your computer should feature an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, etc.) or Intel Core i5 or higher (Intel Core M and Xeon processors are also supported). A minimum of 4 GB of RAM is necessary, but 8 GB or more is recommended for better performance. The software requires 600 MB of free disk space for installation, and you’ll need at least 16 GB of additional space for the guest OS. The Pro Edition works with Apple M-series, Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD Radeon graphics cards for optimal performance.