- Who makes Parsec and who owns it now
- What Parsec does and which devices it covers
- What Parsec says about encryption and security
- Switching on Parsec two-factor protection
- What does Parsec cost and what is the catch?
- Scams that borrow the Parsec name
- Is Parsec safe for gaming with friends?
- My verdict on Parsec
- Frequently asked questions
Parsec is a real remote desktop app, released in 2016 and now run by Unity Technologies. Its security page describes end-to-end encryption on direct connections and optional two-factor sign-in. The catch is the nature of the tool: it gives someone control of a computer, so your account security and who you invite matter more than the app itself.
Parsec turns up whenever someone wants to play PC games from another room or reach a work computer from a laptop, so it's no surprise people ask me whether it's safe. Anything that lets a stranger drive your computer deserves a hard look, so I've read Parsec's own site and security page and Wikipedia's history to separate what's stated from what's assumed.
Who makes Parsec and who owns it now
According to Wikipedia, Parsec is a proprietary remote desktop application used mainly for streaming games, released in 2016. It lists Parsec Gaming as the original author and Unity Technologies as the developer. In 2021, Unity announced plans to acquire Parsec for 320 million US dollars, and the footer of Parsec's own site now reads Unity Technologies SF.
That's reassuring in one way, because it's tied to a large, known software company rather than an anonymous download. It also means Unity's legal terms and privacy policy now sit behind the app. Parsec's old privacy address now redirects to Unity's privacy policy, so that's the one to read if you want the detail on data.
What Parsec does and which devices it covers
Parsec lets one computer, the host, stream its screen and controls to another device. Wikipedia says it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, plus Raspberry Pi 3. Parsec's site says the host chooses which apps connected guests can see and use, and that sessions can be shared so others can join, for example for co-op play.
Wikipedia also records some history that shows how the product has changed. In 2018, Parsec partnered with HP to create OMEN Game Stream, a free streaming service for HP Omen PCs. In 2023 it shut down its arcade system, which let users share games in a multiplayer-lobby style. If you read older guides, they may describe features that no longer exist.
What Parsec says about encryption and security
This is the part that matters most, so here's what Parsec says in its own words. Its security page says native application peer-to-peer traffic is encrypted end-to-end using a shared 128-bit AES key. Web-client sessions are encrypted using DTLS, and the web traffic used for authentication and API communication is encrypted using TLS.
Parsec's main site adds that connections are peer-to-peer and never pass through Parsec's infrastructure, and that it's SOC 2 Type 2 certified. Those are Parsec's statements about itself. I haven't seen an independent audit report, so treat them as the company's description rather than a verdict from a third party.
| What I checked | What Parsec's own pages say |
|---|---|
| Who owns it | Unity Technologies; Unity announced the acquisition in 2021 |
| Encryption | Peer-to-peer traffic encrypted end-to-end with a shared 128-bit AES key |
| Sign-in protection | 2FA can be switched on per account; multi-factor authentication is available |
| Certification claimed | SOC 2 Type 2, stated by Parsec |
| Guest control | The host chooses which apps guests can see and use |
| Cost for personal use | Free for consumer use |
Switching on Parsec two-factor protection
Parsec's security page says accounts can individually activate 2FA directly in their Parsec settings, and that a 2FA requirement can also be enforced on a team. If your Parsec login is stolen, the person holding it could connect to any computer you've set up as a host, so this is the first setting I'd turn on.
Pair it with a password you don't use anywhere else. A password manager makes that easy, and my password manager review explains what to look for in one. If you ever suspect someone got in, my guide on spotting a hacked account lists the warning signs that apply to most logins.
What does Parsec cost and what is the catch?
Parsec's site says it's free for consumer use. Warp, Teams and Enterprise each come with a 14-day free trial, and the paid tiers add things like admin controls and single sign-on. So the usual catch with free software, an ad-heavy installer, isn't what you're watching for here.
The real catch is exposure. A remote desktop tool is only as safe as the person on the other end. If you leave a host computer running with Parsec signed in, a stolen password, a shared account or a careless invitation can hand someone your whole desktop, including your files and any logged-in accounts.
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- Only invite people you know, and remove access when a session is over.
- Don't share your Parsec login with friends; send an invitation instead of your credentials.
- Lock the host computer's own login screen so it isn't left open to anyone passing by.
- Keep Windows, macOS and the Parsec app itself up to date.
- Use a business account with admin controls if several people need access to work machines.
If you run a business site or shared machines, my tips to stop hackers touching your business website cover habits that apply to any tool with remote access.
Scams that borrow the Parsec name
Remote access tools are a favourite of scammers, and that isn't a flaw in Parsec in particular. A caller claiming to be from your bank, your internet provider or tech support asks you to install a remote desktop app so they can fix a problem. Once you let them in, they can move money or install malware.
- Never install Parsec, or any remote tool, because someone phoned, texted or emailed you out of the blue.
- Download it only from Parsec's official site or the official app stores, not from a link in an advert or a forum.
- Be suspicious of cracked or modified versions offered on file-sharing sites, which are a common way to spread malware.
- A real company will never need to take control of your computer to give you a refund.
- If you gave remote access to someone you don't trust, disconnect from the internet, change your passwords from a different device and contact your bank.
Is Parsec safe for gaming with friends?
For its main use, streaming a game from your PC to another screen at home or to a friend's house, Parsec is a mainstream tool backed by Unity, with encryption described on its own security page. The risk is mostly about who you let join. A friend who invites a stranger, or a shared account passed around a group chat, is where trouble usually starts.
If you're tempted to run games from an old computer or in another unusual setup, you may also like my guide on how to play Android games on a PC without emulator lag, which covers a different way to get games onto a bigger screen.
My verdict on Parsec
It's a real product from a known company, with encryption and 2FA described on its own pages. I wouldn't call it risky software, but I wouldn't call any remote desktop tool low risk either. Switch on 2FA, use a unique password, only invite people you trust and never install it for a caller you didn't contact first.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parsec safe to use?
Parsec's security page says peer-to-peer traffic is encrypted end-to-end using a shared 128-bit AES key and that accounts can switch on 2FA. Because it gives control of a computer, your password and who you invite matter most.
Who owns Parsec?
Wikipedia lists Unity Technologies as the developer, and Unity announced plans to acquire Parsec in 2021. Parsec's own footer reads Unity Technologies SF.
Is Parsec free?
Parsec's site says it's free for consumer use. Warp, Teams and Enterprise each come with a 14-day free trial.
Does Parsec send my screen through its servers?
Parsec's site says connections are peer-to-peer and never pass through Parsec's infrastructure. Authentication and API traffic does go to Parsec and is encrypted with TLS, according to its security page.
Can someone hack me through Parsec?
A stolen password or a careless invitation could give someone access to a host computer. Turn on 2FA, use a unique password and only invite people you know.
