KVM vs Parallels Desktop: What are the differences?

## Key Differences Between KVM and Parallels Desktop

1. **Hypervisor Type**: KVM is an open-source Type 1 hypervisor, running directly on the host's hardware, providing bare-metal virtualization. On the other hand, Parallels Desktop is a Type 2 hypervisor, requiring an existing operating system to run as software on top of it.

2. **Supported Operating Systems**: KVM is primarily designed for Linux-based systems, offering robust support for various Linux distributions as both host and guest OS. Parallels Desktop, however, is focused on macOS and Windows operating systems, providing seamless integration and performance optimization for these platforms.

3. **Network Performance**: KVM generally offers better network performance for virtual machines, as it utilizes the host system's network stack directly without additional overhead. Parallels Desktop, while efficient, may experience slightly reduced network performance due to the abstraction layer imposed by the Type 2 hypervisor.

4. **Cost and Licensing**: KVM is free and open-source, making it a cost-effective solution for virtualization needs. In contrast, Parallels Desktop is a commercial product that requires purchasing a license, which may be a consideration for users looking for a budget-friendly option.

5. **Hardware Support**: KVM has broader hardware support due to its open-source nature, enabling compatibility with a wide range of processors and devices. Parallels Desktop, while versatile, may have limitations in terms of supported hardware configurations and peripherals due to its proprietary nature.

6. **Performance Optimization**: KVM, being a Type 1 hypervisor, typically offers better performance by directly accessing hardware resources, resulting in lower overhead and latency compared to Parallels Desktop, which operates at a higher level through the host operating system.

In Summary, the key differences between KVM and Parallels Desktop lie in hypervisor type, supported operating systems, network performance, cost and licensing, hardware support, and performance optimization.