Multi-Instance App And Web Launcher
Run separate app and web shortcuts on your Mac
Parall creates independent shortcuts that launch macOS apps, websites, files, folders, and command-line tools in separated spaces. Pin each shortcut to the Dock, give it its own icon and label, override its appearance to force Light or Dark mode regardless of system preferences, add an optional menu bar icon, and keep compatible app and web data separated without modifying system files or app bundles.
Turn websites into Dock shortcutsAdd a menu bar icon for any appRun Multiple App InstancesSeparate data per shortcutVerified and tested through macOS 27 Golden GateNative macOS appmacOS 10.11 through 27 Golden Gate
Native app-like shortcuts Separate Dock icons, labels, website storage, app data paths, environment, and menu bar behavior where supported.
Any URL can become a Web App Shortcut
111 compatibility records
0 telemetry or background services
10.11-27 works from macOS 10.11 through Golden Gate
The control missing from macOS
Run the same app as separate instances with separate data, accounts, and profiles
The usual limits
- macOS gives a regular app one usable running identity, so another copy cannot reliably behave as a separate instance with its own Dock icon and Spaces behavior.
- App data is stored wherever the app decides, so you often cannot move accounts, profiles, or working data to an external drive, cloud storage, or an easy to access folder.
- To use more than one account, you usually have to log out and log back in every time.
The Parall solution
Parall gives you control over how many instances an app can run, where each instance stores its data, and how each one appears in the Dock, so every instance can behave like a separate app.
Original macOS engineering
Built from research, not a recipe
Parall's core could not be assembled from public documentation because the app behavior it depends on is undocumented. It grew from years of reverse engineering macOS app architecture, testing individual apps, and refining an engine around what actually works.
Read how Parall is builtUndocumented behavior, studied directly
Parall's compatibility profiles come from observing how each target app launches, stores data, handles separate processes, and interacts with the Dock. The same reverse-engineering work makes shortcuts function correctly when opened through Spotlight, Raycast, and Alfred. That work continues as macOS and apps change.
More than a script or copied app
A script can sometimes start another process. Parall solves the harder problem of giving supported instances their own usable identity, Dock behavior, and, where the target app allows it, separate data, accounts, profiles, and settings while keeping them connected to the original app.
The original app stays signed and updateable
Parall never edits or freezes the target app. Every shortcut continues to launch the original installed app, preserving its code signature and allowing its built-in updater to keep working. After an update, all shortcuts use the new version when restarted. That matters because app updates often patch security vulnerabilities.
No private APIs or app modification
The research determines how Parall configures standard macOS launch mechanisms. Parall does not use private APIs, inject or patch code, or modify macOS or the original app.
The result is original, human-led engineering. Parall's engine is designed, coded, tested, and maintained by Ihor July rather than generated from an AI prompt or copied from a public recipe.
Built for real multi-account Mac and web work
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. Turn any website into a Web App Shortcut with its own Dock identity and custom data path. Create app, website, 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 force a shortcut to use Light or Dark appearance regardless of the current macOS system preference. 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. Parall can 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.
Separate workspaces for apps and websites
Create browser, IDE, communication, creative, utility, and website shortcuts that launch as their own app-like bundles with separate data paths where macOS, WebKit, and the target allow it.
- Chrome and Firefox families
- Web App Shortcuts for any website
- Slack, Notion, VS Code, Cursor, OBS, Dropbox, Philips Hue Sync, and more
Dock and menu bar control
Make every shortcut easy to recognize with extracted icons, custom labels, Dock effects, optional Dock animation, appearance overrides for Light or Dark mode, optional menu bar icons, and full screen menu bar behavior controls for supported Chrome based browsers.
- Custom app names and icons
- On-icon labels
- Light and Dark appearance overrides
- Menu bar scale, grayscale, and template mask options
Advanced launch configuration
Pass command-line arguments, define environment variables, set web app storage paths, override HOME for non-sandboxed apps, and adjust advanced Info.plist values when you need exact per-shortcut behavior.
- Web App Shortcut mode
- Command shortcut mode
- File and folder shortcuts
Privacy-first by default
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.
- Offline app operation
- Native WebKit for website shortcuts
- No system or app file modification
Compatibility that stays transparent
Parall automatically detects Eclipse, Chrome, Firefox and ToDesktop based apps. Web App Shortcuts can be created from any website URL with their own storage path, while sandboxed and iOS/iPadOS apps follow Apple's container limits.
8x8 WorkAdsPowerAmazon WorkSpacesAndroid StudioAnkiArduino IDEAsanaAudacityBeeper DesktopBeyond CompareBlenderBlocsBraveCapacitiesCharlesChatGPTChrome-based appsChrome-based browsersChromiumClaudeClose.ioConductorCursorDBeaver
Everything Parall can do
A complete Mac shortcut toolkit for app instances, Web App Shortcuts, file and folder launchers, command shortcuts, Dock effects, menu bar options, HOME overrides, and local privacy-first execution.
- Create independent app instances
- Create Web App Shortcuts from any website URL
- Set custom data paths for Web App Shortcuts
- Add optional menu bar icons for any shortcut while the target app is running
- Set separate data folders for supported non-sandboxed apps
- Run command-line tools from the Dock with custom arguments and environment variables
- Create file and folder shortcuts that open in their default app
- Apply per-shortcut Dock effects and animations
- Override shortcut appearance with Follow System, Light, or Dark mode
- Advanced Info.plist parameter overrides for each shortcut (for experienced users)
- No background services or telemetry
- Native WebKit web shortcuts without Electron or bundled Chrome
- No system or app file modifications
- MS Teams and WhatsApp web app support with notifications, unread badges, and optional menu bar background mode
- Supports multiple browsers and apps
- Can run separate Philips Hue Sync instances with separate app data for different display setups
- Define custom environment variables per shortcut
- Advanced HOME override for non-sandboxed apps with containerized structure
- Mac App Store Family Sharing
- Privacy-first design
- Extract icons from any app or file for custom shortcuts
- Draw labels on top of shortcut icons
- Control full screen menu bar behavior for supported Chrome based browsers
- Experimental control of Dock icon visibility
- Customize menu bar icon appearance (scale, grayscale, template mask)
- Limited iOS/iPadOS app shortcuts (no data separation or dedicated Dock icon)
Mac App Store reviews
Customers use Parall for browser profiles, developer environments, creative tools, multi-client work, and app setups that need real separation.
★★★★★
Most Impressive App I’ve Ever Used
I’ve installed/used at least a couple thousand apps since the very early 2000’s. This is literally the most impressive app that I have ever found/seen/used and it works amazingly well.
★★★★★
Game Changing
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.
★★★★★
Game changer
If you are someone who juggles multiple accounts across different apps, you need this. It’s like the Chrome profile switcher but for apps! I have tested it on Jump Desktop and Claude and its truly changed my workflow to keep multiple accounts signed in. Dev is response on app requests!
★★★★★
So easy
Use it run company/personal versions of apps with no headaches, got it working in under a minute, set it and forget it
★★★★★
Solved my Claude Code Issue Quickly
Just flat out works. Best $9.99 I’ve ever spent on an app
★★★★★
Get shortcuts for different browser profiles
At last I can achieve on my Mac what was relatively simple in windows - an icon for each different Chrome profile launching from the dock, and remaining open with all its windows within that item on the dock. Saves so much time navigating between open profiles. Worth every cent.
★★★★★
Works perfect
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.
★★★★★
Great experience with Cursor IDE
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.
★★★★★
Working perfectly with claude
Grabbed the app for running claude personal account and work account in parallel. Working seamlessly and without any interference between account.
★★★★★
Multiple Claude Accounts
I can now run multiple claude code’s on my desktop without logging in and out
★★★★★
5 Concurrent Claude Code Desktop Apps
This works very well! Thanks for making a great app!
★★★★★
Lifesaver
Being able to launch multiple completely separate app windows that feel native is a game changer for my workflow.
★★★★★
Great and working solution
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.
★★★★★
The only app for custom apps on Mac
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.
★★★★★
One of the best devs
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.
★★★★★
Umm…. Where has this been all my life
So far this app does everything that I’ve wanted it to do. Being able to run multiple instances of Claude’s desktop app and other music programs that I didn’t have the ability to do before. I’m sure it has limitations, but it’s been amazing and a lifesaver for me! Thank you all!
★★★★★
Very good, thanks!
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.
★★★★★
I liked it
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.
★★★★★
WooooW, Running Same App Twice side-by-side is Awesome
I wasn't expecting that On MAC Os , thanks a lot
★★★★★
Finally, a way to have different dock icons for different Chrome profiles!
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!
★★★★★
Versatil
Una aplicación sencilla con ilimitadas opciones para configurar. Sin, duda, un gran descubrimiento.
Native, local, and deliberately transparent
Parall is manually coded and tested by Ihor July, a cybersecurity expert and reverse engineer focused on privacy-respecting macOS tools.
Why Parall Exists
For more than a decade, I dealt with macOS limitations around running multiple instances of the same app. I built scripted app bundles for myself to work around it, then realized there was no easy, polished way for regular users to create those app-like shortcuts. Parall turns that workflow into the first tool of its kind designed specifically to create app shortcuts for multi-instance support.
Read detailsWhy Parall Matters
Parall 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 detailsWho Built Parall?
I 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 Pro, a Mac Dock utility for controlling Dock behavior across displays; App Trust Preview, a local-first Mac app inspection tool that translates signing, sandboxing, entitlements, and internal components into plain-language reports before you open an app; and LockLines, a Mac utility for designing, previewing, and copying plain-text lock screen messages that fit macOS.
Read detailsAbout Shortcut Bundles
The 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 detailsMore Mac apps from Ihor July
Parall is part of a small set of native, privacy-respecting Mac utilities built for practical workflows, security review, and desktop control.
App Trust Preview
App Trust Preview turns macOS security metadata into readable trust reports before you open apps, installers, disk images, executables, or scripts.
- Inspect apps, packages, disk images, executables, and scripts
- Review signing, notarization, sandboxing, entitlements, and privacy access
- Use Finder Quick Look before opening or installing a file
- Export JSON or text reports from Terminal
DockLock Pro
DockLock Pro controls Dock placement across displays, keeping your Dock where your workflow expects it and unlocking placement behavior beyond App Store limits.
- Lock the Dock to a chosen monitor
- Auto-relocate after wakeup and display changes
- Move side Docks and vertical Docks across displays
- Control Dock layouts without system patches or SIP changes
LockLines
LockLines creates plain-text macOS lock screen messages that fit, with previews for the first visible message and scroll-down details.
- Write owner notes, contact details, and asset labels
- Preview visible and scrollable lock screen states
- Decorate plain text with readable borders
- Copy a message ready for System Settings
Latest updates
Release notes, compatibility changes, and setup guides for Parall.
Run each Mac app instance separately.
Download Parall, create app and website shortcuts, check compatibility, or contact support before purchasing if you want a specific app tested.