I'm an indie macOS developer and recently released Parall, a small utility that solves a long-standing macOS limitation - the inability to easily run multiple instances of the same app.
Many years ago, when I switched from Windows to macOS, I was surprised that I couldn't just open another copy of an app - even for something simple like having two browser profiles with separate Dock icons.
I used to rely on terminal commands and scripts, but they were clunky, temporary, and often broke after app updates.
Parall fixes that cleanly and natively.
It creates independent app shortcuts (.app bundles) that behave like real apps - each with its own Dock icon, name, and (optionally) separate data folder.
It works offline, uses no hacks or background services, and is fully sandboxed and approved on the Mac App Store.
For Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi, it can assign unique data directories so you can open multiple isolated profiles at once.
Parall is the first macOS app of its kind to do this properly and natively.
Hi HN,
I'm an indie macOS developer and recently released Parall, a small utility that solves a long-standing macOS limitation - the inability to easily run multiple instances of the same app.
Many years ago, when I switched from Windows to macOS, I was surprised that I couldn't just open another copy of an app - even for something simple like having two browser profiles with separate Dock icons. I used to rely on terminal commands and scripts, but they were clunky, temporary, and often broke after app updates.
Parall fixes that cleanly and natively. It creates independent app shortcuts (.app bundles) that behave like real apps - each with its own Dock icon, name, and (optionally) separate data folder.
It works offline, uses no hacks or background services, and is fully sandboxed and approved on the Mac App Store. For Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi, it can assign unique data directories so you can open multiple isolated profiles at once.
Parall is the first macOS app of its kind to do this properly and natively.
Website: https://parall.app Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6754065114
Would love to hear feedback from other macOS devs.