- Best free Windows VM: VMware Fusion. Start here if you need a Windows desktop without a VM software subscription.
- Best paid VM for Mac integration: Parallels Desktop. Choose it for frequent work between Windows and Mac apps.
- Best for open-source flexibility: UTM. Choose it for operating-system experiments, Linux, macOS and emulation of older systems.
A virtual machine runs another operating system in a window on your Mac, without restarting. The right choice depends on the applications you need, your Mac’s processor and how closely you want the two systems to work together.
This guide compares local VMs first. For compatibility layers, cloud PCs and other approaches, see our best ways to run Windows on a Mac.
Best Mac Virtual Machines Compared
The guest operating systems below are for Apple Silicon Macs. Intel Macs need compatible product versions and generally use Intel versions of their guest operating systems.
| Virtual machine | Best reason to choose it | Guest operating systems on Apple Silicon | VM software cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parallels Desktop | Frequent use of Windows apps alongside Mac apps | Windows 11 ARM, supported ARM Linux distributions and supported macOS versions | Paid; Standard offers subscription or one-time purchase |
| VMware Fusion | A capable Windows VM without a software subscription | Windows 11 ARM and supported ARM Linux distributions | Free for personal, educational and commercial use |
| UTM | Open-source flexibility, Linux, macOS and older systems | ARM guests through virtualization; other architectures through emulation | Free download; optional paid Mac App Store version |
| VirtualBox | Existing VirtualBox users and configurable test environments | Windows 11 ARM and supported ARM Linux distributions | Free base package; Extension Pack licensed separately |
Windows licensing is separate. Free VM software does not include a Windows licence. Parallels also sells its Windows VM software separately from Windows itself. However, you can still use Windows 11 without a license but you can’t customize it or remove the watermark.
Check your host macOS version too. Parallels Desktop 27 requires Apple Silicon; Intel Mac users need a compatible earlier release such as version 26. For every VM, confirm support for your version of macOS before downloading.
VMware Fusion vs Parallels: Is Paying Worth It?
Start with Fusion if you mainly need a Windows desktop and a few compatible applications. It provides Windows 11 ARM installation assistance, graphics acceleration, snapshots and virtual networking without a VM software charge.
Parallels becomes more appealing when you repeatedly move between the two operating systems. Coherence mode places Windows application windows alongside Mac apps, while folder sharing, clipboard integration and device handling help reduce the steps involved in everyday work.
Both products can help download Windows 11 ARM. The difference is therefore more than whether you can install Windows: it is how conveniently you can use it afterwards.
There are concrete limitations to compare. Broadcom’s published Fusion feature list includes built-in shared folders for Linux guests on Apple Silicon, rather than Windows guests. File transfer and clipboard support should be checked separately.
Pay for the integration you will use. If Fusion runs your application comfortably, it may be all you need. Parallels cannot remove Windows ARM driver or application restrictions simply because it costs money.
Our Parallels vs VMware Fusion comparison examines the differences in more detail.
1. Parallels Desktop: Best Paid VM for Mac Integration
Choose Parallels if Windows applications are part of your normal working day and you want convenient access to Mac files and apps.
In our hands-on testing of Parallels, ease of setup and integration with macOS are its strongest reasons to buy. It guides you through installing Windows 11, and you can then keep Windows in its own desktop window or use Coherence mode to display Windows applications alongside Mac applications.
Shared folders, drag-and-drop and the shared clipboard are particularly useful when a Windows application needs documents you normally manage on your Mac. These features depend on the VM’s sharing settings, macOS permissions and Parallels Tools being installed.
Our guide to sharing files between a Mac and Windows VM covers setup and common problems.
Parallels Desktop 27 also adds OpenGL 4.3 support for supported Windows workloads. Its current Windows graphics support extends to DirectX 11.1, rather than DirectX 12, so check demanding applications and games individually.
The main drawback is the price. Standard Edition offers an annual subscription or a one-time licence for the purchased version; Pro and Business use subscriptions. Standard also limits each VM to 8GB of virtual RAM and four virtual CPUs, which matters if your workload needs more.
Our verdict: Parallels is worth considering for frequent Windows use where integration saves time. An occasional Windows task is a good reason to try Fusion first.
Read our full Parallels Desktop review or watch our Windows installation demonstration below.
Price: Try Parallels Desktop or check the current 50% off offer. Windows is licensed separately.
2. VMware Fusion: Best Free Windows VM
Choose Fusion if you want to run Windows applications in a full Windows desktop without paying for the virtualization software.
Fusion is free for personal, educational and commercial use. This includes advanced features such as snapshots and configurable virtual networking, making it useful for both occasional Windows access and technical work.
On Apple Silicon, Fusion runs Windows 11 ARM and supported ARM Linux distributions. Its Windows download assistance reduces the work involved in obtaining an installation image, and VMware Tools supplies important display, networking and integration features.
The main compromises concern integration with macOS rather than the absence of a paid licence. You generally work with Windows as a separate desktop, and its Mac integration differs from Parallels. In particular, check the Windows ARM limitations in Broadcom’s feature matrix before relying on shared folders or another specific feature.
Obtaining the installer can also take more effort than expected. Broadcom’s documented download process requires an account and a completed profile. Follow its official Fusion download instructions if the portal asks you to register or verify your details.
Our verdict: Fusion is the strongest starting point for a free Windows VM. Test the application, file transfers and any connected hardware you need before deciding whether Parallels offers enough extra convenience.
Read our VMware Fusion review for our installation and usage guide or watch our demo video below.
Price: Free VM software. Windows is licensed separately.
3. UTM: Best for Open-Source Flexibility and Older Systems
Choose UTM if you want to explore operating systems, run Linux or macOS, or emulate hardware that differs from your Mac.
UTM brings QEMU and Apple’s virtualization technologies into a Mac application. It is free to download, while the optional paid Mac App Store version helps fund development and offers automatic updates.
The distinction between virtualization and emulation matters:
- Virtualization runs an operating system built for the same processor architecture, such as Windows ARM or ARM Linux on Apple Silicon.
- Emulation reproduces another processor architecture, such as an Intel system on Apple Silicon, with a greater performance cost.
UTM is therefore not inherently a slow emulator. Its performance depends heavily on which mode and guest operating system you choose.
That flexibility makes it particularly useful for older systems and experimental setups. For supported macOS and Linux guests on Apple Silicon, it can also use Apple’s Virtualization framework.
Windows graphics support has developed too. UTM documents experimental DirectX acceleration, including DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 paths under supported configurations. Game compatibility and stability remain limited, so this should not be treated as a guarantee that a particular Windows game will work.
The trade-off is more responsibility for choosing the correct architecture, backend, guest tools and settings.
Our verdict: UTM is an excellent option for learning, Linux, macOS testing and older operating systems. For straightforward Windows productivity, try Fusion or Parallels first.
See our UTM Windows installation guide and review or watch our installation demonstration below.
Price: Free download, with an optional paid Mac App Store version.
4. VirtualBox: Best for Existing VirtualBox Users
Choose VirtualBox if your course, development environment or existing VM setup already uses it.
Oracle’s virtualization platform offers configurable virtual hardware, snapshots and networking across several host operating systems. Its free base package can be useful for labs and repeatable test environments.
Apple Silicon support has moved beyond the early test builds. Oracle’s VirtualBox 7.2 documentation includes Windows 11 ARM guests on macOS ARM hosts, with Guest Additions available.
However, this does not make an existing Intel VM portable to Apple Silicon. An ARM host needs an ARM guest operating system; VirtualBox does not emulate an Intel processor for an x86 Windows VM.
There are also feature differences between host platforms. Oracle lists limitations for ARM hosts, including unavailable unattended installation. Check its installation and host requirements rather than assuming every feature available on an Intel PC is available on your Mac.
The optional Extension Pack is separately licensed. Check Oracle’s licensing information if your setup requires it.
Our verdict: VirtualBox makes sense when its formats, configuration tools or existing workflows are important to you. Fusion is our first free recommendation for a Mac user primarily seeking a Windows desktop.
Read our VirtualBox review and installation guide or watch our Mac installation demonstration below.
Price: Free base package; optional Extension Pack licensed separately.
Alternatives for Windows Apps, Gaming and Cloud PCs
The following tools serve different needs from a local virtual machine.
CrossOver: Best For Windows Gaming
CrossOver runs supported Windows applications through a compatibility layer without installing Windows. It is especially worth checking for individual games, but compatibility varies by title. Search CodeWeavers’ compatibility database before purchasing. A supported game may be a better fit here than inside a full VM. You can also get 15% Crossover for a limited period.
Pixel Port: Best Free Option For Windows Steam Games
Pixel Port simplifies launching supported Windows Steam games on Apple Silicon. It does not provide a full Windows desktop. Check the game’s compatibility entry and distinguish verified results from estimates before relying on it. It is a gaming option rather than a replacement for a general Windows VM.
Wine: Best For Developers
Wine is the open-source compatibility technology behind several Windows-app tools. It can suit advanced users who want to configure individual applications, but requires more technical involvement than the packaged alternatives.
Windows 365: Best Cloud Windows PC
Windows 365, accessed through Windows App or a browser, streams a Microsoft-hosted Cloud PC. It can suit business users who need a managed Windows environment without running it locally. It requires a subscription and a dependable connection; the selected Cloud PC configuration determines its resources.
For games, see our best ways to play Windows games on a Mac. For the wider choice of local and remote methods, use our Windows-on-Mac guide.
How We Test Mac Virtual Machines
This guide draws on MacHow2’s hands-on VM reviews, installation demonstrations and screenshots, alongside the vendors’ documented features and compatibility requirements.
Our recommendations prioritise setup, access to Mac files, application compatibility, host integration and cost. Features can differ between Intel and Apple Silicon, between guest operating systems and between product versions.
The individual reviews linked above provide more installation detail. Our selection policy explains our approach to recommendations.
Mac Virtual Machine FAQs
Will my Windows application work on Apple Silicon?
Apple Silicon Windows VMs normally use Windows 11 ARM. It runs native ARM applications and can emulate many x86 and x64 Windows applications, but that does not guarantee support for every application, driver or game.
Check the application’s requirements, associated plug-ins and connected hardware. Our Windows on ARM compatibility guide explains what to check before installing.
How much RAM and storage should I allow?
For a Mac running Windows alongside normal Mac apps, 16GB of total memory is a sensible starting point. An 8GB Mac leaves less room for both systems; 32GB or more is useful for heavier applications or multiple VMs.
These are practical recommendations, not universal product minimums. Leave enough memory for macOS, and allow storage for the guest OS, applications, updates and snapshots. Allocating every available resource to Windows can make the Mac less responsive.
Can I run macOS in a virtual machine?
Yes, with a compatible tool, Mac and guest version. On Apple Silicon, Parallels and UTM offer macOS virtualization.
Do not assume Fusion has equivalent guest support: Broadcom’s compatibility guidance states that ARM macOS guests are unsupported in Fusion. Host support for macOS and the ability to run macOS inside a VM are separate questions.
Can I transfer files between macOS and Windows?
Yes, but the available methods depend on the VM, guest operating system and installed integration tools.
Shared folders, drag-and-drop, network sharing and cloud storage are different mechanisms. Our Mac-to-Windows VM file-sharing guide covers the options and troubleshooting.
Will printers and USB devices work?
A device needs a supported connection method and suitable drivers inside the guest operating system. A Windows ARM VM may require an ARM-compatible driver even when ordinary Windows applications run through emulation.
Check specialist hardware before choosing a VM. Support for a device in macOS does not automatically establish support inside Windows, and Thunderbolt devices or external GPUs should not be assumed to work through passthrough.
Can I use Boot Camp instead?
Boot Camp is an option on compatible Intel Macs, subject to the Windows version and drivers Apple supports. It restarts the Mac into Windows rather than running Windows alongside macOS.
Boot Camp is unavailable on Apple Silicon Macs.
Which VM is fastest?
There is no useful universal answer across different applications, guest operating systems and Mac configurations. Compare the application and files you actually need using similar resource allocations.
For our recommendations, Parallels’ main paid advantage is convenient Mac integration; Fusion’s is a capable Windows environment at no VM software cost.
Are virtual machines completely isolated from my Mac?
A VM separates the guest operating system from macOS, but sharing settings still matter. Guest applications may be able to access folders or devices you deliberately share.
Keep both operating systems updated, share only what you need and maintain backups. Snapshots are useful for rolling back a VM, but are not a substitute for an independent backup.