Using a virtual machine is an easy and convenient way to run Windows on a Mac so here we’ve looked at the best free and paid virtual environments of 2024.
Although there are several ways to use Windows apps or games on a Mac, virtual machines are arguably the best way for most users that want a simple, convenient and easy way to access Windows on a Mac.
So whether you want to run Windows, Linux or even an older version of macOS on your Mac, we tested and reviewed a range of free and paid virtual machines for Macs to find out which is best.
Quick Navigation
What Is A Virtual Machine?
Virtual Machines, also known as virtualization machines, virtual environments, hypervisors or simply VMs, allow you to run another operating system in macOS.
They allow you to conveniently run Windows at the same time as macOS so that you can switch between them instantly without having to reboot your Mac.
Most commonly they are used to run Windows on a Mac but they can also be used to run Linux and older versions of macOS too.
Although there are various ways to run Windows on a Mac, Virtual Machines are the most convenient because you don’t have to shut down your Mac to use them.
You can simply switch to Windows in macOS for example like you would with any other application on your Mac and start using it.
With this in mind, here are the best VMs for Macs in order of ranking.
1. Parallels
Parallels has long been our favorite virtual machine thanks to the way it automatically installs Windows on a Mac and makes switching between macOS and Windows so easy.
Parallels has always been the first virtual machine to be updated to work with the latest versions of macOS and was also the first virtual machine to be updated to run Windows on Apple Silicon Macs.
In fact, Parallels has now been endorsed by Microsoft making it on the only method of running Windows on a Mac officially recommended by the company.
In just a few clicks, Parallels automatically downloads and installs Windows 11 on Intel Macs and Windows On ARM on Apple Silicon Macs.
Windows On ARM is a slightly different to the Intel version of Windows most of us are familiar with, but it’s the only version of Windows that will work with the M-series chips.
Although not all programs and applications are available for Windows ARM, most will run in it thanks to what’s known as x86 emulation which translates all Intel Windows software to work on Windows ARM.
Once installed, Parallels allows you to switch between macOS and Windows instantly whenever you want.
Parallels also offers the best integration between macOS and Windows of any virtual machine especially in Coherence mode which effectively blends your Windows app into macOS if you want to.
Dragging and dropping files between the two operating systems is also really easy as is connecting peripherals such as printers, external drives and even game controllers.
For more on what Parallels can do, you can also check out our full Parallels review or watch us install it below.
Pricing: Starting from $99.99.
Pros:
- Very easy to install Windows
- Officially authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on Mac
- Runs Windows and macOS simultaneously
- Excellent for gaming
- Fast startup and shutdown time
- Supports Windows keyboard shortcuts
- Optimized for macOS Sonoma and Windows 11
- Now supports DirectX 11 and Metal
- Officially supports running Windows on M-chip Macs
- Can be deployed across lots of Macs by IT teams
Cons:
- Updates aren’t free
- Requires a separate license for each Mac you want to install it on
- Subscription pricing model
- Can’t accelerate graphics card for gaming as well as Boot Camp
- Will not support games that use anti-cheat protection software
- Does not support running DirectX 12 (but does support DirectX 11)
2. VMware Fusion (Free)
Without doubt the next best thing after Parallels is VMware Fusion.
Although it has lagged behind Parallels for some years, VMware Fusion now makes it extremely easy to install Windows on a Mac.
The latest version of VMware Fusion now automatically downloads and installs Windows 11 for you, just like Parallels does.
Like Parallels, VMWare Fusion only supports installing Windows ARM on Apple Silicon Macs which is the only version of Windows that works on M-series chips.
It has also improved integrating Windows and macOS meaning its now easy to drag and drop files between the two operating systems.
VMWare Fusion has also now been fully updated to work on Apple Silicon M-Series Macs and macOS Sonoma although it was a long way behind Parallels in supporting the Apple Silicon chips.
The latest version also has improved Metal-accelerated DirectX 11 3D graphics support for better performance when playing Windows only games on a Mac as you can see below.
Like Parallels however, one downside is that VMWare Fusion doesn’t support DirectX 12 or Windows games that use anti-cheat software to run.
The big plus side of VMware Fusion is that it offers a limited free version for personal use and students.
You can read more in our full VMware Fusion review for more.
You can also read our direct head-to-head comparison of Parallels vs VMware Fusion here.
Pricing: Free / Starting from $149.
Pros:
- Free version for personal and student use
- Supports Windows ARM on Apple Silicon Macs
- Supports Windows 11 on a Mac
- Supports Metal and improved 3D graphics rendering
- Suitable for Windows gaming and CAD software
- Pro version can be deployed across enterprises
Cons:
- Major updates not free in Pro version
- Can’t accelerate graphics card for gaming as well as Boot Camp
- Integration between macOS and Windows not as close as Parallels
- Doesn’t support DirectX 12
- Doesn’t support games with anti-cheat software
3. UTM (Free)
UTM is a relatively new virtual machine that allows you to run Windows, Ubuntu and macOS.
UTM is based on the free QEMU open source system emulator but is easier to use thanks to the UTM User Interface which doesn’t require any knowledge of QEMU command arguments.
The free app supports running Windows and other operating system on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
While Apple Silicon Macs can normally only run Windows ARM, UTM even enables them to use Intel “x86” versions of Windows on Apple Silicon although it does this using emulation which isn’t as smooth or stable as virtualization.
This includes running older versions of Windows 7, Windows XP, and other older operating systems such as really old classic versions of OS X.
It’s important to be aware that running Windows on M-chip Macs is more complicated and difficult to setup with UTM and there’s a lot of manual configuration required.
You can even attach some external devices to your virtual machine such as external displays although it does not support external hard drives.
There’s no support for dragging and dropping files between UTM and macOS and you can’t copy and paste content between operating systems either.
You can see how we installed Windows for free with UTM here.
Pricing: Free
Pros:
- Free To Use
- Works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
- Allows you to use Intel versions of Windows on Apple Silicon
- Supports connecting some external devices
Cons:
- Lacks basic features like drag and dropping of files
- Difficult to setup and run Windows on M-chip Macs
- No support for external hard drives
- Not as easy to setup and use as commercial products
- Not user friendly for beginners to virtual environments
- No customer support
- Doesn’t support 3D graphics acceleration for gaming
4. VirtualBox (Free)
VirtualBox is a free open source virtualization software that supports a wide range of operating systems including Windows, Linux, Solaris and OpenBSD Unix.
VirtualBox even supports old versions of Windows such as 3.x although why you’d want to run such as old version of Windows apart from nostalgic reasons is another question.
Although VirtualBox is free and open source, its development is also supported by Oracle.
VirtualBox is certainly not recommended for beginners to virtual machines however.
Compared to Parallels, everything has to be setup and installed manually and the integration between macOS and Windows is nowhere near as good.
You can however run VirtualBox on Apple Silicon Macs to install Windows ARM, although running Windows in it is even more complicated than on Intel Macs.
You’ll need to do a lot of manual configuration to setup Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac using VirtualBox and it may also stop working when new updates to macOS are released.
Performance on Apple Silicon Macs can also be very unstable with some serious performance issues.
In fact due to difficulties with running VirtualBox on Apple Silicon, since version 7.0 VirtualBox has stopped developing a stable version for ARM based chips so currently you can only download an older test build for M1/M2/M3 chips.
Even worse, VirtualBox can’t even install Windows on Apple Silicon Macs as it can’t run Windows ARM which is the only version of Windows that works on Apple Silicon Macs.
Since it’s an open source project with no official support team, it often takes a long time before VirtualBox is updated to work with new releases of macOS or updates to it.
The big plus of course is that VirtualBox is free, even for enterprise customers and if you only need occasional use of Windows on your Mac, it may be worth exploring.
Pricing: Free
Pros:
- Free to use
- Supports a wide range of operating systems
- Test builds works on Apple Silicon Macs
- Works well in Intel Macs
Cons:
- Difficult to setup and use Windows
- Only allows you to run Windows on Intel Macs, no support for M-chip Macs
- Serious performance issues on Apple Silicon Macs
- Integration between macOS and Windows limited
- Requires a lot of manual configuration
- No official support
- No stable version after 7.0 for M1/M2/M3 Macs
Best Virtual Machines For Mac Comparison Table
| Feature | Parallels Desktop | VMware Fusion | UTM | VirtualBox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing (USD) | $99.99/year | Free/$149+ | Free | Free |
| Cross-Platform Compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integration with Cloud Services | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Variable |
| Apple Silicon Support |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Very poor |
| Ease of Use | Easy | Easy | Moderate | Easy |
Virtual Machines for Mac FAQs
Can I run Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac?
Yes, you can run Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac using virtualization tools like Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, and UTM. Currently, Apple Silicon Macs only support running Windows on ARM although most Intel apps work with it thanks to x86 emulation in Windows.
Is it possible to run macOS in a virtual machine?
Yes, tools like Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, and UTM support running macOS as a guest operating system, provided you comply with Apple’s licensing agreements.
What are the system requirements for running virtual machines on a Mac?
System requirements vary by software, but generally, you need a Mac with at least 8GB of RAM (16GB recommended for heavy use), sufficient disk space (at least 20GB free for the VM), and a modern multi-core processor.
How does virtualization impact Mac performance?
Running a virtual machine consumes resources (CPU, RAM, and disk space), which can impact macOS performance. Allocating too many resources to the VM can slow down your Mac. It’s essential to find a balance based on your Mac’s specifications and usage needs.
Can I transfer files between macOS and the virtual machine?
Yes, most virtualization tools support shared folders or drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to transfer files between macOS and the virtual machine easily.
Are there any free virtual machine solutions for Mac?
Yes, VirtualBox and UTM are free, open-source options that offer robust virtualization capabilities. UTM is tailored for Apple Silicon Macs and even allows you to emulate x86 Intel versions of Windows too.
Which virtual machine software is best for gaming on a Mac?
Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are the best options for gaming on a Mac due to their high performance and excellent graphics support. However, performance may still not match that of native Windows PCs.
For more on this check out our guide on the best way to play Windows games on a Mac.
Can I use external hardware with virtual machines on a Mac?
Yes, you can use external hardware such as USB devices, printers, and even GPUs (with compatible software) with your virtual machines. Most virtualization software supports peripheral device integration but we found that Parallels makes this easier than any other VM.
Why use a virtual machine?
The most common reason to use a virtual machine on a Mac is in order to use Windows only applications or games. Virtual machines are also popular with programmers and developers that need to test software in a certain operating system.
Although there are other ways of accessing Windows on a Mac, they don’t allow you the full freedom of doing whatever you want in the operating system.
Why can Apple Silicon Macs only run Windows ARM?
Apple Silicon Macs can only run Windows On ARM (WoA) which is different to the standard version of Windows 10 and Windows 11 that most people are familiar with.
Windows ARM is designed for the ARM architecture used in Apple Silicon chips and while it’s very similar to the standard versions of Windows, some programs, apps and games won’t work natively in it.
Windows ARM can however “translate” most software to work with it thanks to something called x86 emulation although this doesn’t always work for all apps and sometimes results in slower performance.
Are there any alternatives to virtual machines?
Virtual Environments are not the only way to run Windows or other operating systems on a Mac. There are other ways to use Windows on a Mac although none of them give you quite as much freedom as a virtual machine does to do whatever you want with Windows.
There are Cloud based solutions such as Microsoft’s “Windows App” which runs Windows in the Cloud for you but doesn’t give you as much freedom as installing Windows physically on a Mac in a virtual environment.
There are also so called “translation layer” solutions such as Wine and Crossover which don’t actually run Windows but “translate” Windows apps and games on the fly to work on a Mac.
There’s also the option of remote desktop software to connect a Mac remotely to a Windows PC and access Windows that way.
Discover more from MacHow2
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.