Endstate vs Parallels Desktop

Endstate captures Windows applications and settings so they can be restored on another Windows PC. Scanning, saving, and restoring can all run locally and offline. It detects applications installed through EXE/MSI installers and the Microsoft Store using winget, with settings modules for 359 Windows applications. Saved setups are plain files in the user’s Documents folder that can be copied, backed up, or shared. Before restoring, users can review differences and select which detected applications and supported settings to apply. Each settings restore creates a backup that can be reverted with one click. Endstate reinstalls applications through WinGet and Chocolatey, while sponsored integrations can add settings migration support. Portable applications that are not registered in Windows are not detected. The provisioning engine is open source under Apache 2.0. The local product has no telemetry, tracking, or background reporting, and sends no data off the computer unless Endstate Cloud is enabled. The free plan costs 0.00 EUR forever, needs no account, and covers unlimited machines. Endstate Cloud is in early access and not generally available.

Parallels Desktop runs Windows and Linux virtual machines on a Mac, so users can run Windows applications alongside macOS. Supported hosts include Intel Macs running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Big Sur 11 or later. It is authorized by Microsoft for Windows 11 on Apple Silicon and supports current macOS, Windows, and Linux versions. Listed Windows applications include Excel, Power BI, Access, and QuickBooks. Virtual machines support snapshots, nested virtualization, and GPU acceleration. Standard permits up to 8 GB of vRAM and four vCPUs per VM; Pro raises those limits to 128 GB and 32 vCPUs. Pro also supports command-line workflows and Jenkins and Vagrant integrations. Business adds centralized administration, license management, and Jamf and Intune deployment integrations, while Enterprise includes encrypted VMs under organizational control. The product is paid and offers a 14-day trial. Standard and Pro include unlimited phone and email support, and subscribers get 24/7 chat. Qualifying direct purchases have a 30-day money-back guarantee; renewals are excluded.