# Remote Desktop vs Parallels Client

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Remote Desktop | Parallels Client |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (146 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-desktop-rdp-lite/id288362576/reviews)** | [2.5 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parallels-client/id1129911695/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **146** | 57 |
| Positive reviews | **51.9% of reviews** | 21.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 2 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MochaSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/284741182) | [Parallels International GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/295531453) |

## What reviewers say

### Remote Desktop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-desktop-rdp-lite/id288362576)

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.

**Highlights:** Connect to Windows PCs, View files and programs, Supports Windows XP/7/8/10, Printing support, Barcode scanner, Wake on LAN (WOL)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🔒 Secure remote access
- 🤖 Works great with Windows XP and Server 2003

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes on some devices
- 🔒 Security concerns raised by some users
- 🔌 Drains device battery quickly
- 🚫 Does not support Windows Home editions or Vista

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard issues, unable to type full usernames
- Corrupts desktop settings on remote machine
- Compatibility problems with certain network configurations

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parallels-client/id1129911695)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Remote Desktop free?

Remote Desktop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Parallels Client free?

Parallels Client is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Remote Desktop or Parallels Client?

Remote Desktop is rated higher. Remote Desktop averages 3.0 out of 5 from 146 ratings, while Parallels Client averages 2.5 from 57 ratings.

### Do Remote Desktop or Parallels Client have ads?

Parallels Client shows ads; Remote Desktop does not.

### Which is updated more often, Remote Desktop or Parallels Client?

Remote Desktop ships an update every 4 months, and Parallels Client every 3 months. Most recently, Remote Desktop was updated on August 23, 2026 and Parallels Client on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*