Client Feature Matrix
Below is what each platform supports in terms of features, for when you're joining a computer on Parsec.
| Feature | Windows | MacOS | Linux (Ubuntu) | Android | Web (Chromium) |
| H.264 Decoding | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) |
| H.265 Decoding | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ❌ | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) |
| 4:4:4 Decoding² | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ✅ (hardware¹ and software) | ❌ | ❌ |
| Switch Screens | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Extra Screens² | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Enhanced Pen² | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| SAML SSO² | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| DS4 Touchpad | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
¹ Hardware support also depends on the device's video decoder to work
² This feature also requires Warp or Teams
Host Feature Matrix
MacOS hosting is in preview. This means it does not include some of the features of Windows hosting, and may have bugs or occasional crashes. While macOS hosting is a preview release, you may need to use it in combination with another remote desktop application just in case something goes wrong.
The macOS hosting preview also currently runs at the retina scale resolution in order to prioritize a high performance connection. This means if you have a 4K or 5K display, running in Retina mode, it will instead stream at the "looks like" resolution, such as 1920x1080 or 2560x1440.
| Feature | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-monitor streaming | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virtual monitors | ✅ | ✅ |
| Access to logon screen | ✅ | ❌ |
| Compatible with Parsec Relay Server | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automatic app crash recovery | ✅ | ❌ |
| Programmatic silent installation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Privacy mode | ✅ | ✅ |
| Connect using Chromium based browsers (parsec.app) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pen support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Link sharing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Team computers | ✅ | Only available via GUI, not CLI |
| H.265 streaming | ✅ | ❌ |
| Adjustable resolution | ✅ | Only adjustable from macOS settings |
| 4:4:4 color mode | ✅ | ❌ |
| Audio streaming | ✅ | Parsec Audio Capture Driver required to stream audio |
| Gamepad support | ✅ | ❌ |
| HTTP(S) Proxy support | ✅ | ❌ |