{
  "slug": "parallels-desktop",
  "category": "virtual-machines",
  "name": "Parallels Desktop",
  "description": "Proprietary virtualization app for Macs that runs Windows, Linux and macOS guests in virtual machines, including Windows on ARM on Apple silicon. Sold by subscription.",
  "website": "https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [
    "macos"
  ],
  "jurisdiction": {
    "code": "CH",
    "name": "Switzerland",
    "eyes": null,
    "eu": false,
    "gdpr": true,
    "cloud_act": null
  },
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "F",
  "score": 0,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "Parallels Desktop scores 0 out of 100 (grade F) on the virtual machines criteria. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit. It is based in Switzerland: Not in the Five, Nine or Fourteen Eyes; GDPR-style data protection law.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/virtual-machines/parallels-desktop/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/virtual-machines/parallels-desktop/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Closed source."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": "https://www.parallels.com/about/legal/privacy/",
      "note": "The website loads Google Analytics, Google Ads, Hotjar, Marketo, Optimizely, Microsoft Advertising and X ads trackers."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": "https://www.parallels.com/about/legal/privacy/",
      "note": "The privacy policy allows selling or sharing personal data and using product usage data for personalized advertising."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "No independent audit is published."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [
      {
        "name": "Google Ads",
        "host": "www.googleadservices.com",
        "effect": "no"
      },
      {
        "name": "Google Analytics",
        "host": "www.google-analytics.com",
        "effect": "no"
      },
      {
        "name": "Google DoubleClick",
        "host": "googleads.g.doubleclick.net",
        "effect": "no"
      },
      {
        "name": "Google Tag Manager",
        "host": "www.googletagmanager.com",
        "effect": "no"
      },
      {
        "name": "Hotjar",
        "host": "script.hotjar.com",
        "effect": "no"
      },
      {
        "name": "Microsoft Ads",
        "host": "bat.bing.com",
        "effect": "no"
      },
      {
        "name": "Optimizely",
        "host": "cdn.optimizely.com",
        "effect": "no"
      },
      {
        "name": "X (Twitter) Pixel",
        "host": "analytics.twitter.com",
        "effect": "no"
      }
    ],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T06:38:36.517Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T06:56:31Z"
}