Multi-Instance App Launcher
Parall creates independent shortcuts that launch macOS apps, files, folders, and command-line tools in separated spaces. Pin each shortcut to the Dock, give it its own icon and label, add an optional menu bar icon, and keep compatible app data separated without modifying system files or app bundles.
Parall lets you create independent shortcuts that run in separated spaces on your Mac. Launch multiple instances of browsers or other apps with separate data and settings, all without modifying system files or app data. Create app, file, folder, and command-line shortcuts with custom arguments and environment variables. Shortcuts created with Parall can be pinned to your Dock for easy access, behaving just like standalone apps. You can also give any shortcut its own menu bar icon so the app is always one click away in the menu bar while it is running. You can now animate the Dock icon of any app for the first time ever. Parall can also fully separate app data for apps like Philips Hue Sync, making it possible to run multiple separated instances with different LED assignments for different displays.
Create browser, IDE, communication, creative, and utility shortcuts that launch as their own app-like bundles with separate data paths where macOS and the target app allow it.
Make every shortcut easy to recognize with extracted icons, custom labels, Dock effects, optional Dock animation, optional menu bar icons, and full screen menu bar behavior controls for supported Chrome based browsers.
Pass command-line arguments, define environment variables, override HOME for non-sandboxed apps, and adjust advanced Info.plist values when you need exact per-shortcut behavior.
Parall works locally, has no telemetry, no background daemons, no Electron runtime, no bundled Chrome engine, and does not modify your system files or original apps.
Parall automatically detects Eclipse, Chrome, Firefox and ToDesktop based apps. Home/data redirection works for non-sandboxed macOS apps, while sandboxed and iOS/iPadOS apps follow Apple's container limits.
A complete Mac shortcut toolkit for app instances, file and folder launchers, command shortcuts, Dock effects, menu bar options, HOME overrides, and local privacy-first execution.
Customers use Parall for browser profiles, developer environments, creative tools, multi-client work, and app setups that need real separation.
I have been looking for a simple way to have different doc icons for my wife and I on our shared family desktop computer. Finally this is a reality with Parall!
I'll admit I was super skeptical at first. But the amount of updates and communication from the dev has really made this one of the best new Mac apps Ive seen in a long time. What used to take me an hour or two every time I updated Mac I can now do almost fully automated. Appreciate it.
I work under multiple brands that have their own accounts and emails and whatnot. I started using Vivaldi so I could keep things separated by profile. Parall takes that to the next level. Now each of my Vivaldi windows is specifically scoped to each brand, with each window showing the brand's icon in the dock so I know exactly which one I'm clicking on. If you need to run multiple instances of an app that are essentially in their own containers, this is the way to do it. It just works.
Pretty much the only software to have multiple instances of OBS with its data being separate without losing functionality (I use Browser Instances and tested that) The app might come in handy for other software but my main reason was OBS.
Perfect for managing Cursor IDE accounts with different logins, extensions, and so on. I managed to avoid the daily hassle of logging out and logging into multiple client accounts, saving a great deal of time during day-to-day development. I highly recommend it! In addition to all the great functionality, it offers top-notch support focused on solving problems.
For me it's quite common to open 5+ Chrome windows with 3+ different Chrome profiles. It's really painful to switch between them. With Parall I can create one Chrome shortcut for each profile and pin it to Dock. This app is really great.
Running multiple Emacs instances with different command line arguments and env variables, custom icons and app names for easy switching. Excellent! Haven't tried anything else but the tool looks solid.
It's hard to believe but you can't have two shortcuts on your Mac dock, one going to your work chrome profile and another one to your personal Chrome profile. Look online and you'll find countless bad options to try to cope with that limitation. This app is the one that solved the problem super smoothly, love it. Even use my custom Chrome icon for my personal and can finally separate things. I haven't used it yet, but I think use cases go beyond Chrome, you can use it for any app that need to be launched with different profiles.
Being able to launch multiple completely separate app windows that feel native is a game changer for my workflow.
If you are working with multiple companies and an app does not support multiple accounts, this could be the solution. Or if you want to add special command line parameters to start an app, this is also a good solution. Great support too.
I wasn't expecting that On MAC Os , thanks a lot
Una aplicación sencilla con ilimitadas opciones para configurar. Sin, duda, un gran descubrimiento.
Parall is built by Ihor July, a cybersecurity expert and reverse engineer focused on privacy-respecting macOS tools.
Running multiple instances of the same app on macOS has always been a challenge. Parall solves this by creating independent app shortcuts that launch separate copies with their own data and settings-no scripts, no hacks, no background services. Parall is the first macOS app to make this possible natively and safely.
Read detailsParall makes it easier than ever to start multiple instances of the same macOS app - each with its own Dock icon and configuration - just as if they were separate apps. Instead of relying on workarounds or complex scripts, Parall creates independent shortcuts that launch multiple instances of apps, allowing you to use multiple profiles or sessions simultaneously.
Read detailsI am Ihor July, and I develop Parall as a cybersecurity expert and reverse engineer focused on building secure and privacy-respecting macOS tools. I am also the developer behind DockLock Lite and DockLock Plus - trusted macOS utilities known for enhancing Dock functionality.
Read detailsThe shortcuts created by Parall are standalone macOS app bundles that directly execute the target app's binary. These shortcut bundles are not sandboxed - by design - because they must launch the original application directly without additional layers.
Read detailsRelease notes, compatibility changes, and setup guides for Parall.
Download Parall, check compatibility, or contact support before purchasing if you want a specific app tested.
