Parallels vs VMware:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, VMware had more branded searches than Parallels among virtual machine software worldwide. VMware had about 450,000 branded searches, while Parallels had 90,500. VMware made up 28.7% of all virtual machine software searches we track, and Parallels accounted for 5.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about virtual machine software, VMware appeared in all five answers and Parallels in three. VMware was mentioned before Parallels in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
VMware, about 5 searches for every 1 for Parallels
Who does AI mention more?
VMware, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
VMware, named ahead of Parallels in every answer
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Top virtual machine software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, VMware appeared in all five answers. Parallels was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. VMware was listed before Parallels in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
VirtualBox1st- VMware2nd
Parallels3rd
Hyper-V4th
QEMU5th- Proxmox VE6th
- UTM7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- VirtualBox5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- VMware5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hyper-V4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- QEMU4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Parallels3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Proxmox VE3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- UTM3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about virtual machine software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which virtual machine software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best virtual machine software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best virtual machine software for running test systems?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“virtual machine software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“linux vm software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Parallels or VMware more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Parallels and VMware by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven virtual machine software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for VMware, Parallels. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | VirtualBox | VMware | Parallels | Hyper-V | QEMU | Proxmox VE | UTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.5% | 28.9% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 1% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.3% | 28.8% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 0.94% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.3% | 32.3% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 0.97% |
| Jan 2026 | 47.6% | 31.8% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.4% | 28.1% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.3% | 27.5% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.6% | 28.2% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 50.8% | 27.8% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 50.8% | 27.8% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.2% | 28% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.5% | 27.6% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.6% | 28.7% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.1% |
How has the Parallels and VMware comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- VMware was ahead of Parallels in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Parallels’ share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide held steady at 5.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 90.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, VMware’s share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide moved from 28.9% to 28.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 550K to 450K.
How did search popularity change for virtual machine software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, VMware gained share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide, from 27.6% to 28.7%.
In September 2026, Parallels lost share of searches among virtual machine software worldwide, from 6.8% to 5.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Parallels’ and VMware’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among virtual machine software
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