Parallels Desktop Lite has the same basic features as Parallels Desktop Home: it enables you to run Windows, Linux and their applications on your Mac without rebooting. You can run these Windows and Linux applications side-by-side with Mac applications.
However, there are some differences between Parallels Desktop Lite and Parallels Desktop for Mac, and these are listed in the tables below.
Note: Existing Parallels Desktop® for Mac users are not recommended to move to Parallels Desktop Lite.
| Feature | Parallels Desktop Lite | Parallels Desktop for Mac Home Edition |
| Guest OS installation | ||
| Install from .iso image file | √ | √ |
| Install from DVD | √ | √ |
| Install from USB | √ | √ |
| Install from Boot Camp | √ | |
| PC to VM transfer | √ | |
| Working with VMs | ||
| Pause | √ | √ |
| Autopause | √ | |
| Suspend | √ | √ |
| Snapshots | √ | √ |
| Sharing: Windows | ||
| Applications Sharing from Guest OS | √ | |
| Sharing Guest OS files with OS X (reverse sharing) | √ | |
| Share OS X folders with Windows | √ | √ |
| Share custom OS X folders with Windows | √ | √ |
| Shared Profile (mirror Downloads, Desktop, Movies etc. to either OS) | √ | √ |
| Mount OS X volumes to Windows | √ | √ |
| Drag & Drop files | √ | √ |
| Share iCloud, DropBox, Google Drive from OS X with Windows | √ | |
| Guest Additions Features | ||
| Shared Clipboard (copy/paste) | √ | √ |
| OS X file sharing with Windows | √ | √ |
| Drag & Drop | √ | √ |
| Shared Profile Tool | √ | √ |
| Open web links from Windows with Mac | √ | |
| USB & Devices | ||
| USB storage devices support | √ | √ |
| USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | |
| USB non-storage devices support | √ | √ |
| USB devices permanent assignment rules | √ | √ |
| Support for Thunderbolt storage devices | √ | √ |
| Network | ||
| Shared network | √ | √ |
| Host-only network | √ | √ |
| Bridged network | √ | |
| Other Top features | ||
| Real time disk optimization | √ | √ |
| Travel Mode | √ | √ |
| Quicklook support for Windows | √ | √ |
| OS X Gestures support (including Force Touch Gestures) | √ | √ |
| Integration with Cortana | √ | √ |
| Per-VM shortcuts | √ | √ |
| Coherence | √ | |
| VM icons in Dock | √ | |
| Licensing | Mac App Store Licensing | Perpetual & Subscription |
| Vagrant provider support | Pro and Business Editions only | |
| Nested virtualization | Pro and Business Editions only | |