Remote Desktop vs Parallels Client
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Remote Desktop
Access your Windows PC from your iPhone or iPad. View files, run programs, and use resources remotely. Supports various Windows versions and includes features like printing and barcode scanning.
- Connect to Windows PCs
- View files and programs
- Supports Windows XP/7/8/10
- Printing support
- Barcode scanner
- Wake on LAN (WOL)
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Using your iPhone or iPad, you can connect to your Windows Workstation Computer and see the files, programs, and resources exactly as you would if you were sitting at your desk, just on a smaller screen. Mocha Remote Desktop (RDP) provides access to a PC running Windows XP Professional or Windows 7/8/10. HOME edition or Windows 200x Servers cannot be supported. LITE VERSION Has a 5 minutes session limitation. FEATURES - Standard RDP protocol. - 8/16 bit color mode for faster screen updates. - Zoom and scroll as the Safari Browser. - WOL (Wake on LAN). - Printing. - Barcode scanner. - Support for Swiftpoint GT hardware mouse. - Support for a Bluetooth mouse, when using an iPad. - Support for Mouse Easy. Use an iPhone as a bluetooth trackpad. - Stylus pen. - NETBIOS name support for easy configuration. - Landscape mode. - Have patent license for the RDP protocol from Microsoft. LIMITATIONS - Windows HOME edition cannot be used, as it does not include the RDP protocol. - We cannot offer Windows 200x Server access, as it will require another patent license from Microsoft.
Parallels Client
Access business applications, virtual desktops, and data securely from your device. This app offers an intuitive, fast, and reliable way to work remotely, supporting various corporate environments and providing features like universal printing and graphic acceleration.
- Secure access to business apps and virtual desktops
- Work from any device, anywhere
- Access corporate Windows applications
- Optimize published applications for native look
- Universal Printing
- Graphic acceleration
- Multi-monitor support
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Parallels Client, when connected to Parallels RAS (Remote Application Server), provides secure access to business applications, virtual desktops, and data from your device. Using virtualized applications and desktops in Parallels Client is intuitive, fast, and reliable. Parallels Remote Application Server and Parallels Client allow you to: • Work on any device from anywhere • Access any corporate Windows applications • Resize and optimize published applications for a native look and feel FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS • Seamless access to Windows applications on your device • Higher level of security when connecting over SSL • Access to Azure Virtual Desktop environments • Ability to work with virtual desktops, terminal servers/RD Session Hosts, and Windows PC hosts • Universal Printing allows you to print from your device to any printer • Graphic acceleration using RemoteFX • Remote applications and desktops extended to multiple monitors • Remote sound, local drive, and two-way clipboard redirection for a truly intergrated experience If you have questions about Parallels Client, please visit our support page. For more information about Parallels RAS, visit www.parallels.com/products/RAS/. Parallels Remote Application Server is an industry-leading solution for virtual applications and desktop delivery.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Remote Desktop at 3.0 against Parallels Client's 2.5. Remote Desktop also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (52% vs 21%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Remote Desktop holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 146 and 57 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Remote Desktop's written reviews are positive against 21% of Parallels Client's.
Remote Desktop ships an update every 4 months, Parallels Client every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Remote Desktop | Parallels Client |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (146 ratings) — better | 2.5 (57 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 51.9% of reviews — better | 21.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 146 — better | 57 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 41 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MochaSoft | Parallels International GmbH |
Customer experience
Remote Desktop
Parallels Client
Bugs and requests
Remote Desktop
Reported bugs
3 issues- Keyboard issues, unable to type full usernames
- Corrupts desktop settings on remote machine
- Compatibility problems with certain network configurations
Requested features
4 requests- Add support for Windows 7, 8, 10 and Server 2008/2012
- Implement right-click and scroll functionality
- Allow custom screen resolutions and full-screen mode
- Integrate VPN capabilities
Parallels Client
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Parallels Client
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Remote Desktop free?
Is Parallels Client free?
Which has better reviews, Remote Desktop or Parallels Client?
Do Remote Desktop or Parallels Client have ads?
Which is updated more often, Remote Desktop or Parallels Client?
Other comparisons
