Parallels Desktop vs Super Grate

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.

Super Grate is a free, open-source Windows utility for backing up and migrating user profiles through a graphical interface to Microsoft's User State Migration Tool (USMT). It supports local use on non-domain PCs and remote operations on computers joined to an Active Directory domain. For remote work, operators can select computers through Active Directory filters for hostname, description, or organizational unit. Profiles can be saved to a backup store and restored to a destination computer, with an option to set a different destination username. The maker says it accounts for files, media, contacts, emails, Windows settings, program data, and internet settings. It can run from a network share with shared backup storage, configuration, and logging, or from an external drive or thumb drive. The quick start guide says to run the downloaded executable; installation is not required. The product lists compatibility from Windows 7 through Windows 11 and is licensed under GPL-3.0. Remote operations rely on WMI, and the remote computer must be online while the operator has administrator access.