Parallels one off or subscription?

OU812

Need to use some windows only apps on my Mac so it looks like I need to get parallels and a copy of windows.

is it better to have the sun or a once off purchase?

generally don’t like subscriptions but I have one for O365

f I have a sub, can I deactivate and reactivate at will?

Doodah7

The thing I don't like about Parallels is that they only guarantee that the 'one-off' version will only work with one iteration of the MacOS and a new version of MacOS somehow 'breaks' Parallels until they bring out a new version. Quite often the old version works but they won't provide support.

I would first try VMWare Fusion and which is now free for personal use.

https://www.vmware.com/products/fusion.html

These two have been battling for years for supremacy and although Parallels is probably ahead, I'm not sure it is €80 ahead.

Cabaal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118593662#Comment_118593662

How is it free, checking the website and all the versions appear to be charged?

What am I missing?

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118598569#Comment_118598569

https://customerconnect.vmware.com/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=fusion-player-personal

Gregor Samsa

Virtual Box is another free (and open source) option:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/VirtualBox

Doesn't work on M1/Apple silicon Macs, though. I use it for fairly casual use, and it's fine for that. VMWare Fusion or Parallels would probably be better for daily or professional usage.

Noxegon

I'm with you on subscriptions, but if you like Parallels then it might be one of those cases where it's worth it.

Every OS update seems to break Parallels, without fail – so you will need updates.

Furze99

Subscriptions are the way the world is going at the moment and guess who has led the way encouraging developers - Apple :)

JonMac

Subscription! Last year a Mac update ended with my Windows licence disappearing. The Parallels lad logged into the Mac and sorted it.