Unlike Instagram and Twitter, very few apps allow you to switch user account profiles within the same app—that is, run the same app with two different user accounts on the same device. Even WhatsApp doesn't offer this capability. The lack of such a feature has people looking for ways to run dual accounts on the same phone.
One such method is to use the popular Android app known as Parallel Space. I'm sure you've used it or heard its name at least once. With Parallel Space, you can run another instance of the same app on your phone under a new username.
Like other apps, they also decided to jump on the lite bandwagon and take it to the App Store with their own app, Parallel Space Lite. You might be wondering – how does Parallel Space Lite differ from the main app? Well, get ready because we're about to explore the different dimensions of this app, or to put it simply, we'll compare Parallel Space to Parallel Space Lite.
Let's get started.
Get ready to be launched with a surprise app size
While all other lite and go apps have smaller app sizes compared to the main apps, Parallel Space Lite is surprisingly the same size as its main app. On some phones we tested, the Lite app was actually heavier. They should be given a badge of merit for being the only app whose lite version weighs more than the original. If you know of any other apps as well, let us know in the comments below.
Anyway, both apps weigh around 8.6MB. I'm not even kidding. Check out the app size for yourself.
Is the app available on iPhone?
Both apps are only available for Android phones. You can't enjoy their benefits on iOS. However, the apps you use within both apps will sync data to your iPhone, if the app supports it. For example, if you use Messenger through these apps, your messages will be available on your iPhone as well.
Similar user interface
When you launch these two apps, you won't be able to tell them apart from the name at the top. This is because they both have a similar user interface. You'll find the app icons on the home screen, with the menu icon at the top. In the main app, you also have the private browsing option at the bottom.
Inside the Add Apps screen, the interface is similar. The only difference is that the main app offers an incognito tab as well (more on that below).
Beware of permits
First of all, Parallel Space requires a ton of unnecessary permissions to function. It requests every permission you can think of, such as phone, calendar, microphone, body sensor, and more. Even worse, the actual cloned app doesn't need these permissions—it's just Parallel Space requesting them. You might think that a Lite app would require fewer permissions to function, but that's not the case. The Lite app also requires the same number of permissions to function peacefully.
- Tip: To view app permissions, go to Settings > Apps > Parallel Space > Permissions.
Although both app listings in the Google Play Store mention that cloned apps require permissions and do not collect data, it scares you to think about recent data leaks by other apps.
Use of batteries, storage, and memory
Parallel Space is known for being a battery-hogging app, and its Lite app continues the tradition—while simultaneously challenging our expectations. Why? Well, in all categories, including battery life, the Lite app outperformed its main app.
Lock the app with security settings
Cloned apps also contain our data, and we don't want anyone to see it. To keep it safe, you can lock the Parallel Space app without using any third-party app locker. You can add a pattern or unlock it with the fingerprint sensor using the built-in security settings. Thankfully, even the Lite app offers both security measures.
Ads are everywhere.
There's hardly an app that doesn't feature ads in the free version. Don't get your hopes up. Parallel Space or Lite isn't one of them. Right from the first screen itself, you're presented with ads on the main app. Beyond that, both apps display full-screen ads as well. To get rid of them, you'll have to subscribe to the pro version.
Browse privately
The main Parallel Space app offers a built-in browser that offers private browsing. It's like a hidden incognito mode for browsing the internet within Parallel Space. It can be accessed from the main app's home screen.
You can use multiple tabs and add bookmarks to them. Although the browser uses Google Search as the default search engine, it doesn't offer the ability to change it. The Lite app lacks a private browsing feature.
Stealth installation of applications
The only significant feature available only in the Lite app is Incognito Installation for cloned apps. Normally, you can only clone apps installed on your device, and they need to remain there if you clone them. However, with Incognito Installation, you can delete an app from your phone once it's cloned in Parallel Space. The feature can be accessed from the Add App icon within the Parallel Space app.
Is PARALLEL SPACE a safe app?
Both apps perform their functions perfectly, without a doubt. However, considering the number of permissions they require for proper operation, it's bound to raise doubts in your mind.
Parallel Space Alternatives
If you want to run two instances of the same app on your phone, you can get help with the Users feature on Android. You need to create a separate user or guest profile and add the apps you want. This way, you can easily log in to the same app, such as WhatsApp, from two different accounts. For WhatsApp, you can download the WhatsApp Business app to use two WhatsApp accounts on your phone.
If you own a Mi phone, you're in luck because it offers the ability to use two instances of the same app without installing any third-party apps. This feature is known as Dual Apps and can be accessed from Settings > Dual Apps.
Similarly, Samsung users also have a similar feature known as Dual Messenger, where they can run two instances of the chat app on the same device.
Are the two apps different?
As we saw above, there isn't much difference between the two apps. The main Parallel Space app feels lighter and better than the Lite app in all aspects, at least for me, even in terms of speed. On the bright side, you can use three different accounts simultaneously on your phone with both apps installed.
Have you noticed any differences between the two apps? Let us know in the comments below.
