Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Parallels Desktop VS NoxPlayer

Compare Parallels Desktop VS NoxPlayer and see what are their differences

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Parallels Desktop logo Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop 10 is a hardware and operating system virtualization program designed for the users of Mac Operating System to enjoy the most of the versions of Windows operating systems in their machine.

NoxPlayer logo NoxPlayer

Nox App Player is a free Android emulator dedicated to bring the best experience for users to play Android games and apps on PC and Mac.
  • Parallels Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-05
  • NoxPlayer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-30

Free Android emulator dedicated to bring the best experience for users to play Android games and apps on PC and Mac. Users can assign keyboard and mouse to the APK games and Apps with simple key mapping and enjoy easy access to functions like location, adjust volume, and many more.

Key features: * A simple interface that makes the app easy to use. * Intuitive keyboard mapping for app and game controls. * Support for multiple control devices. * A stable and reliable platform. * Support three Android systems, Android 4.4.2, Android 5.1.1 and Android 7.1.2

Parallels Desktop features and specs

  • Seamless Integration
    Parallels Desktop allows for smooth integration between macOS and Windows, enabling sharing of files, drag-and-drop functionality, and shared clipboard.
  • Ease of Use
    The user-friendly interface makes it easy for both novice and experienced users to set up and manage virtual machines.
  • Performance
    Parallels Desktop is optimized to provide excellent performance, ensuring that Windows applications run smoothly on macOS.
  • Wide OS Support
    The software supports a variety of operating systems, including several versions of Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing for flexibility in use.
  • Coherence Mode
    This feature allows users to run Windows applications as if they were native macOS apps without displaying the Windows desktop.

Possible disadvantages of Parallels Desktop

  • Cost
    Parallels Desktop requires a subscription or one-time purchase, which may be considered expensive compared to some free alternatives.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running a virtual machine requires substantial system resources, which can affect the performance of both the host and guest operating systems.
  • Compatibility Issues
    While generally reliable, some Windows applications may not run perfectly or may encounter issues within a virtualized environment.
  • License Restrictions
    Each license is generally limited to a single Mac, which can be restrictive for users with multiple devices.
  • Limited Customization
    Compared to other virtualization solutions, Parallels Desktop offers fewer customization options for advanced users needing specific configurations.

NoxPlayer features and specs

  • Free to Use
    NoxPlayer is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users without any subscription fee or one-time payment.
  • High Performance
    The emulator offers high performance and smooth gameplay experience, supporting both high FPS and high resolution.
  • Multiple Instances
    NoxPlayer allows users to run multiple instances simultaneously, which is beneficial for multitasking and for games that require multiple accounts.
  • Controller Compatibility
    It supports different types of game controllers, providing a more comfortable gaming experience compared to touchscreen controls.
  • Root Access
    NoxPlayer comes with built-in root access, which gives users the ability to modify the system and run specialized apps effortlessly.
  • Regular Updates
    The development team frequently updates the software to fix bugs, introduce new features, and improve compatibility.

Possible disadvantages of NoxPlayer

  • Resource Intensive
    NoxPlayer can be resource-heavy, requiring significant CPU and RAM, which may not be suitable for older or low-spec computers.
  • Advertisements
    The free version includes advertisements, which can interrupt the user experience and be considered intrusive.
  • Security Concerns
    Due to its root access capabilities, there is an inherent risk if users install malicious applications or alter system settings improperly.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some apps and games may not be fully compatible with the emulator, leading to performance issues or crashes.
  • Data Privacy
    Users have raised concerns regarding the collection of personal data, which can be a deterrent for privacy-conscious individuals.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The emulator offers a wide array of features, which can be overwhelming for new users and requires a learning period to master.

Analysis of NoxPlayer

Overall verdict

  • Overall, NoxPlayer is considered a good option for users seeking to emulate Android on their computers. It is well-suited for gaming due to its performance optimizations and compatibility with various control methods. While some users have raised privacy concerns, and there may be occasional bugs or performance issues, its benefits often outweigh these drawbacks for many.

Why this product is good

  • NoxPlayer is a popular Android emulator for PCs that is known for its ease of use, stability, and extensive feature set. It allows users to run Android apps and games on their computers, providing a larger screen experience. It supports keyboard and gamepad mapping, is compatible with a wide range of apps, and offers multiple instances for running several emulated Android environments simultaneously. Additionally, NoxPlayer is frequently updated to improve performance and add new features, which makes it a reliable choice for users looking for an Android emulator.

Recommended for

  • Gamers who want to play Android games on a larger screen with better controls.
  • Developers who need to test Android apps in a stable and versatile emulation environment.
  • Users who want to run Android apps that aren't available for their PC platform.

Parallels Desktop videos

Parallels Desktop 10 Review

More videos:

  • Review - User Review for Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac
  • Review - Parallels Desktop 10 Review

NoxPlayer videos

NoxPlayerZ : Best Emulator For Low End PC 2024 || Download And Install NoxPlayerZ On Windows

More videos:

  • Review - Nox App Player Review – An Android Emulator for PC Gamers

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Parallels Desktop and NoxPlayer)
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0
Gaming
14 14%
86% 86
Virtualization
100 100%
0% 0
Emulators
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Parallels Desktop and NoxPlayer

Parallels Desktop Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
Mac users can use Parallels Desktop, hardware, and operating system virtualization tools made just for them to get the most out of their Windows installations. Perfect for Mac users who wish to use Windows programs. As soon as you install Parallels Desktop for Mac, you'll be able to use all of your apps, Windows programs, and browser bookmarks simultaneously. This training...
Best VirtualBox Alternatives & Competitors [Top 7 2019]
If you want to experience the full potential of Mac mixed with the functionality of Windows, then Parallels Desktop 10 program will make the flawless combination. It supports all the Windows version to assure you enjoy the utmost advantages and functions of the system on your Mac without restrictions. It is one of the very best VirtualBox alternatives.
7 Best VirtualBox Alternatives You Can Use
No virtualization software discussion can be complete without the mention of Parallels Desktop. Parallels Desktop is a direct competitor for VMware Fusion and Fusion Pro, and even offers two versions: one for personal use and the other geared for businesses. Parallels Desktop does everything that VMware Fusion does with some subtle differences. It also allows for...
Source: beebom.com

NoxPlayer Reviews

16 Best Android Emulators For PCs In 2023
Nox Player (sometimes called Nox App Player) especially targets Android gamers. Although the emulator works perfectly fine for other Android apps and enjoying the whole Android experience, it is best suited for playing massive games like PUBG or Justice League. The best part of Nox Emulator is that it’s absolutely free with no sponsored ads at all.
Source: theqalead.com
Best Android Emulators for Windows and Mac in 2023: Bluestacks, Gameloop, LD Player, and More
It supports various gaming-specific features such as script recording, multi-drive, multi-instance, controller support, and more. With Nox Player, you can choose the device you want to emulate and the CPU and the amount of RAM it can use.
7 Best Bluestacks Alternatives You Should Use
It is based on Android Nougat 7.0 and sports the Material UI. But one factor where Nox Player truly scores over Bluestacks is root access. If you’ve ever tried rooting Bluestacks, you’d know that it is a tedious task. But on Nox Player, you simply have to enable a toggle in the settings, and poof! – you’re rooted. That’s how simple Nox Player is for you.
Source: beebom.com
Top 6 Free Online Android Emulators for PC
Besides emulating Android games on your PC, NoxPlayer.Me Emulator is an emulator with tons of features, making it your ideal emulator choice. It's easy to install and novice-friendly, and loads quickly on all PCs.
7 Best Android Emulators for Windows You Can Use
If you’ve ever tried rooting BlueStacks, you’d know that it is a tedious task. But on Nox Player, you simply have to enable a toggle in the settings, and poof! – you’re rooted. That’s how simple Nox Player is for you and I believe it’s among the best Android emulators on Windows.
Source: beebom.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Parallels Desktop and NoxPlayer, you can also consider the following products

VMware Workstation - VMware Workstation is a multiple operating system handler to easily evaluate the any other type of new operating systems.

BlueStacks - BlueStacks is a website designed to format mobile apps to be compatible to desktop computers, opening up mobile gaming to laptops and other computers. Read more about BlueStacks.

VirtualBox - VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as...

MEmu Play - MEmu is the best android emulator to play Android games on PC and performs better than Bluestacks. MEmu provides the best perforamance (2X benchmark score comparing to the latest flagship Android phones) and superb experience.

QEMU - QEMU (short for "Quick EMUlator") is a free and open-source hosted hypervisor that...

Android-x86 - Run Android on your PC.