Which Parallels Desktop Edition to Buy?

[aeric]

I am using trial version of Parallels Desktop. I am now using macOS Big Sur. Which version should I purchase?

1. Parallels Desktop
For Home & Student Use
$79.99

2. Parallels Desktop Pro Edition (Most Popular)
For Developers, Testers and Power Users
$99.99/yr

Renew/upgrade at $49.99/yr ?

3. Parallels Desktop Business Edition
For Use in Work Settings
$99.99/yr

Buy Parallels Desktop for Mac: Standard, Pro, and Business

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[Sandman]

Are the descriptions not enough clue to what edition to buy?

Are you in the group "Home & Student"?

Are you in the group "Developers, Testers and Power Users"?

Are you in the group "For Use in Work Settings"? (Which I interpret add meaning an organization with a corporate AD etc)

 

[aeric]

I think Developer edition is suitable for me or I just need a Home edition?

 

[Sandman]

I think of you as a "developer", not a "home user". And it's $20 difference. Seems like a very simple choice to me.

 

[rabbitBUSH]

• is home and student "perpetual" - often these are full product / no limitation?
• and if so what updates is one entitled to?
• as @Sandman asks : what is the detail of the licenses - i doubt student and home allows commercial use - equally one doubts that Parallels has any way of detecting usage and intent of a person developing at home - i don't know anyone who has had any "messages of warning"
• if its for work, and work is paying, then, obviously, if there are additional facilities,, so the question is moot (not included in home and student) let work pay for it. then, does "work" allow you to install it at home [obviously, because do that bizarre thing of working at home - an opportunity brought to many courtesy of CoronaV]

 

[aaronk]

I think the home/student version is a one off purchase, and you don't get the updates when new versions come out.

Pro version (which I recommend you go for) you get updates when new versions come out and when you need to renew in 12 months then you can get a discount on the renewal.

Business version, well I made that mistake thinking for the same price as the Pro I get more features. But when it comes to renewing it in 12 months they don't give you any discounts.

The business version is only good if your business is paying for it, and if you have multiple Mac computers in your office and your IT admin guy is managing the licences since it allows a management console.

My recommendation is to get the Pro version if it's just for 1 Mac.