Download your 14-day free trial of Parallels Desktop Pro
Run Windows, Linux, or additional macOS environments effortlessly—without rebooting.
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What you can test during your free Parallels Desktop Pro trial
Run Windows and Linux on your Mac
Test Windows, Linux, and additional macOS environments without rebooting.
Use the apps you rely on
Run Windows-only apps, Linux tools, and required software in real conditions.
Test-drive your workflows
Develop, test, study, or complete real tasks—not demos or limited examples.
Check performance before committing
Evaluate speed, stability, and resource usage on your Mac.
Who is the Parallels Desktop Pro trial for?
The free trial helps you test real use cases before choosing a plan.
For students
Run Windows-only apps, Linux tools, and play Windows games on your Mac for classes, labs, or personal use.
For development and testing
Create Windows and Linux environments, run multiple virtual machines, and validate technical workflows.
For work
Use Windows apps on macOS, test compatibility, and evaluate performance for everyday professional tasks.
For advanced workflows
Test multi-VM setups, Linux-based workflows, and more demanding configurations using additional features.
Parallels Desktop Pro trial FAQs
Parallels Desktop is a paid subscription because it’s a fully supported virtualization solution designed to save time and reduce complexity.
It lets you run Windows, Linux, and additional macOS environments on your Mac without rebooting, with ongoing updates for performance, compatibility, and new macOS and Windows releases. For many users, this replaces manual setup, dual-boot systems, or maintaining multiple computers.
You can start with a 14-day free trial of Parallels Desktop Pro to decide if the value is right for you.
The free trial gives you access to Parallels Desktop Pro, allowing you to:
- Run Windows and Linux on your Mac
- Use Windows-only apps and Linux tools
- Test real workflows and performance
- Run multiple virtual machines
The trial is designed to help you evaluate real use cases, not just explore features.
Yes. The trial provides access to all Parallels Desktop Pro features, so you can evaluate advanced workflows, Linux environments, and multi-VM setups during the trial period.
The free trial lasts 14 days from activation.
Most people use the trial to confirm:
- Whether required Windows or Linux software runs on their Mac
- How Parallels performs with their real workloads
- Whether it fits into their daily workflow
- Which Parallels Desktop option best fits their needs
The goal of the trial is to help you make a confident decision before purchasing.
No. Testing Parallels Desktop Pro in your trial doesn’t lock you into any particular version after purchase.
The trial gives you access to advanced features available in the Pro edition so you can fully evaluate Parallels Desktop. After the trial, you can choose the Parallels Desktop edition or subscription option that fits your needs.
Yes. Students commonly use the trial to run Windows-only apps, Linux tools, and Windows games on a Mac for classes, labs, or personal use.
Educational pricing or discounts may be available after the trial.
You can use the trial to test Windows games on your Mac and see how they perform with your setup. Performance may vary depending on your Mac and the specific game.
Many people use the free trial to compare Parallels Desktop with other ways of running Windows or Linux on a Mac.
Parallels Desktop is designed to prioritize ease of setup, everyday usability, performance on modern Macs (including Apple silicon), and the ability to run multiple operating systems side by side without rebooting.
The best way to decide is to test Parallels Desktop with your apps and workflows during the free trial and compare it to the alternatives you’re considering.
No purchase is required to start the free trial.
When the trial ends, you’ll be prompted to choose a plan if you’d like to continue using Parallels Desktop. There’s no obligation to buy after the trial.