I’ve been working with multiple client projects recently, and like many developers, I found myself constantly logging in and out of different accounts in the same apps. Chrome profiles help, but they’re clunky and browser-specific. When I discovered Parall, it solved a problem I didn’t know had such an elegant solution.
Parall lets you launch multiple independent instances of the same application, each with completely isolated data and settings. This isn’t just for browsers. It works with Chrome-based apps, Firefox-based apps, and even ToDesktop applications. Each instance runs in its own isolated environment with separate configuration files, preferences, and user data.
The implementation is surprisingly clean. You create shortcuts through Parall’s interface, and they appear in your Dock like any other standalone application. Behind the scenes, Parall uses advanced HOME directory override and environment variable customization to achieve complete isolation. For Chrome and Firefox-based apps, it handles profile separation automatically. There’s also an optional menu bar icon for quick access to all your configured shortcuts.
What impresses me most is the privacy-conscious design. Parall is built natively in C++ by Ihor July, a cybersecurity expert who also developed DockLock. The app works completely offline with no background services or network calls. It runs in a proper sandbox and doesn’t modify system files or require kernel extensions. This is the first macOS app I’ve found that enables multiple app instances natively without any system-level hacks.
I’ve been using Parall on my Mac Mini M4 to maintain separate work contexts for different clients. One Chrome instance stays logged into my primary accounts, another handles a consulting project, and a third is for personal browsing. Each maintains its own cookies, extensions, and browsing history. The same pattern works for Slack, where I can simultaneously access multiple workspaces that normally wouldn’t allow concurrent logins.
The app supports command-line argument passthrough, which developers will appreciate for advanced configurations. Performance impact is minimal since you’re just running additional instances of apps you’d use anyway. The biggest limitation is that apps with strict licensing might object to multiple instances running simultaneously, though this hasn’t been an issue with any of the apps I’ve tested.
Parall is available on the Mac App Store and requires macOS 10.10 or newer, making it compatible with virtually any modern Mac. For anyone managing multiple accounts, testing different app configurations, or maintaining separate work contexts, this utility provides a level of isolation that macOS doesn’t offer natively. The approach is technically sophisticated but the experience is straightforward, which is exactly what good utility software should deliver.
