Parallels Desktop
macOS virtualisation app that runs Windows and Linux VMs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Definition
Parallels Desktop is the most polished macOS virtualisation tool for running Windows or Linux guests, including Windows on Arm on Apple Silicon Macs. It competes with VMware Fusion (now free for personal use) and the free UTM. Parallels is the standard pick for Mac developers who need to test Windows-specific software like UiPath Studio or .NET workloads.
When to use
See also
- Docker Desktop — The official Docker GUI for macOS, Windows, and Linux — bundles the engine, CLI, Compose, and a Kubernetes node.