Upgrades to software that let Mac users run Windows on OS X have become a yearly occurrence, as Parallels and VMware keep pace with new versions of the Apple and Microsoft desktop operating systems.

This year is no exception, with Parallels Desktop 10 becoming available today. Users of the previous two versions can upgrade to version 10 immediately for $49.99. Everyone else can purchase the new software for $79.99 beginning August 26. A student edition will run for $39.99.

VMware hasn’t yet announced when the new version of Fusion will come out, but you can probably expect it soon, or at least by the time Apple releases OS X Yosemite this fall.

As usual, your existing Parallels virtual machines should keep working just fine even after OS X Mavericks gives way to Yosemite. Given the pricing structure, upgrading every other release makes sense for a lot of Mac users who need Windows or Linux applications in their daily lives. Users who want every last bit of performance improvements and all the latest usability tweaks might feel compelled to upgrade with each new version, but casual users can usually hold off without any problems.

We haven’t been able to test version 10 yet, but Parallels described the new features in a demo and announcement. Performance improvements will let users open Windows documents “up to 48 percent faster,” get up to 30 percent more battery life, use up to 10 percent less memory, and launch Office 2013 applications up to 50 percent faster. As always, these improvements can vary widely depending on the workload. For example, there would be no improvement in battery life for workloads that use an entire CPU, Parallels officials said.

There is some good news on disk space. Previous versions of Parallels have an option to “reclaim” disk space the virtual machine no longer needs, a process that can free up several gigabytes, but it requires shutting down the VM. In version 10, Parallels said a new “real-time optimization” feature will automatically reclaim disk space without the VM needing to be shut down.

As always, Parallels lets you run Windows either inside a single window or in Coherence mode, which makes Windows applications appear as if they are Mac ones. Changes in Parallels Desktop 10 let Windows applications use Yosemite-specific features and further their integration into the Mac workflow.

Parallels 10 will take advantage of Yosemite’s much-heralded Continuity system, intended to bridge the gap between OS X and iOS devices. In practice, this means that Internet Explorer users will be able to click on a phone number in a webpage and start a call, just as they would be able to with Safari. The call would be completed with the Mac, relying on either FaceTime or an iPhone connected to the Mac.

There’s also more integration with Internet accounts set up on the Mac. “Users can share files, text, or web pages from Windows using Internet accounts configured on their Mac such as Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, Flickr; or send them via e-mail, AirDrop, and Messages,” the Parallels announcement said.

It will also be easier to create virtual machines, according to Parallels. Users will be given the option of setting up a VM optimized for productivity, games, design, or development. For example, the games desktop would have more CPU and video memory and a mouse pointer that’s fully dedicated to the VM. Users will still be able to configure all the settings of virtual machines individually if they prefer more fine-tuned control.

Other small changes: The Outlook 2013 icon in the OS X Dock will now show an unread badge to indicate how many new messages you have. To open a file in Windows, users of Parallels 10 will be able to drag the file to the virtual machine icon in the Dock. The Windows Start Screen will also look and behave more like the Mac’s Launchpad this time around, Parallels said.

Phones, tablets, and business software

Parallels also offers mobile software for accessing virtual machines from phones and tablets. Last year, Parallels upgraded the “Parallels Access” mobile service and started charging $79.99 per year per computer, the same price that Parallels Desktop cost for a perpetual license.

Parallels realized its pricing mistake and now charges $19.99 per year for mobile access for up to five remote computers. The software was upgraded in June and thus isn’t getting another upgrade right now. It works on iPhones, iPads, Android phones, and tablets, and attempts to make Windows and Mac applications usable on touch screens.

Like VMware, Parallels also offers business versions of its software. These bring management and security features, giving IT shops the ability to control updates to VMs or make a VM automatically expire when an employer or contractor no longer needs it. Parallels also offers a plugin for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, allowing the software to manage Macs alongside PCs.

Parallels added “linked clones” to the business version this year, in which multiple copies of a virtual machine can be created without duplicating the entire thing. Only the differences are saved, saving disk space. VMware Fusion implemented this feature last year, so Parallels is catching up.

The Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition will cost about $100 per seat before volume discounts.