Need a Windows-only app on your Mac? You have more choices than ever, from near-native virtualization to clever compatibility layers. Two great options cost nothing, while paid tools add polish, performance, and support. Here’s a focused guide to the five best routes, plus when each one makes sense.
Before you choose: Apple silicon vs. Intel
Your Mac’s chip matters. On Intel Macs, traditional virtualization and even dual-boot strategies are straightforward. On Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3), you’ll typically run Windows 11 on ARM and rely on Microsoft’s built‑in x86/x64 emulation for legacy apps. Most mainstream software runs fine, but ultra‑niche drivers and low‑level tools may not.
Also consider licensing. Virtual machines usually require a valid Windows license, while compatibility layers based on Wine do not. According to StatCounter, Windows still accounts for roughly three‑quarters of desktop OS usage worldwide, so planning your interoperability is a practical move for many Mac users.
Parallels Desktop: Best overall integration
For most people, Parallels is the smoothest way to run Windows apps on macOS. It’s a full hypervisor with “Coherence Mode,” which lets Windows apps appear side‑by‑side with Mac apps, share the clipboard, and drag‑and‑drop files. Microsoft has publicly documented Parallels as an authorized solution for Windows 11 on ARM on Apple silicon, which lowers risk for business use.
In testing by independent reviewers, productivity apps typically perform close to native speeds, and gaming is serviceable for many titles that don’t rely on anti‑cheat drivers. Parallels is a paid subscription (with a free trial), but its time‑to‑value and stability are hard to beat if you use Windows apps daily.
CrossOver: Native-ish without Windows
CrossOver, from CodeWeavers, runs many Windows apps on macOS without installing Windows at all. It’s built on Wine, but adds commercial support, curated “bottles,” and performance tech such as translation layers for DirectX. The result: Office tools, utilities, and a surprising number of games can run with minimal fuss.
There’s no Windows license to buy, and setup is simple, but compatibility varies by app. CrossOver is paid (with a free trial). It’s ideal if you rely on a small set of supported programs and want the lightest‑weight approach.
VirtualBox: Free VM for Intel Macs
VirtualBox, from Oracle, is a free, open‑source virtual machine manager that runs Windows as a guest OS on macOS. On Intel Macs, it’s a reliable workhorse for running full Windows environments with shared folders and bidirectional clipboard. It’s not as seamless as Parallels, but the price is right and the feature set is robust for general use.
On Apple silicon, VirtualBox support has been evolving and may lack some features or polish compared with commercial alternatives. If you’re on Intel—or you don’t mind tinkering—VirtualBox is the most capable free VM option. Remember: you’ll still need a Windows license and installation media.
Wine + Game Porting Toolkit via Whisky (free)
If you want zero licensing cost and can tolerate some experimentation, a Wine‑based wrapper is compelling. Whisky is a popular macOS front end that taps Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit to translate DirectX calls to Metal and run many Windows apps (and some games) on Apple silicon. This approach doesn’t install Windows; it translates APIs on the fly.
Performance can be impressive for lighter apps, but setup and troubleshooting are part of the deal. Expect occasional quirks with installers, drivers, and launchers. The upside: it’s free, fast to try, and improving rapidly thanks to active communities and Apple’s graphics translation work.
Windows 365 Cloud PC: Streamed Windows
Windows 365, from Microsoft, streams a managed Windows desktop to your Mac over the internet. Your apps run in the cloud; you connect from macOS like you would to a remote desktop. It’s subscription‑based and includes licensing, provisioning, and security controls—useful for organizations or contractors who need a managed, compliant Windows environment.
The trade‑offs: you need a stable connection, local hardware is less relevant, and graphics‑heavy tasks depend on the plan you choose. For BYOD and hybrid work, Windows 365 can be a clean separation between personal macOS and corporate Windows.
Which option is right for you?
Pick Parallels if you want the most seamless day‑to‑day experience. Choose CrossOver when your app list is supported and you prefer to skip a full Windows install. Go with VirtualBox (free) on Intel if you need a complete Windows environment and don’t mind doing a bit more configuration. Try Whisky with Apple’s toolkit (free) if you like to tinker and want quick wins without licenses. Use Windows 365 when compliance, management, and anywhere access outweigh local performance.
Two free paths, three polished paid solutions—five reliable ways to make Windows apps feel at home on macOS.