Looking for the best ways to run Windows on your Mac in 2025? Whether you’re using an Intel or Apple Silicon Mac, we’ve tested and explored all the best methods to run Windows efficiently whether its for running PC only apps or playing games.
In our extensive research and testing, we found the best way to run Windows on a Mac is by using virtualization software like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, especially for Apple Silicon Macs with M-series chips.
Virtual machines are by far the most convenient solution as they allow users to run Windows applications alongside macOS without rebooting – and the best ones are easy enough for beginners to setup and use, installing Windows 11 on a Mac in just a few clicks.
However, we also tried a range of different methods including compatibility layers like Crossover and remote access tools like Windows App that allow you to use Windows apps and games without actually having to install Windows itself.
To kick things off, here’s a convenient side-by-side of the tools we tested followed by overviews of each one.
| Method | App/Game Support | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Machines (Parallels, VMware Fusion, UTM, VirtualBox) | Most Windows apps & many games; No DirectX 12, anti-cheat often unsupported | Parallels from $99.99/yr (currently 35% off); VMware Fusion Pro Free; UTM Free; VirtualBox Free | Run macOS & Windows simultaneously; resource-intensive due to full OS virtualization. |
| CrossOver | Good, but varies by title (Wine-based) | Paid (one-time or $74 per year subscription) | Excellent for many Windows games; no full Windows install required; uses compatibility layers. |
| Apple Boot Camp (Intel Macs only) | Full Windows compatibility | Free (requires Windows license) | Only works on Intel Macs; native dual-boot delivers best performance for Windows on Intel hardware. |
| Wine | Limited & app-specific | Free | Requires technical knowledge; best for lightweight or older apps; inconsistent compatibility. |
| Remote Desktop Software (e.g., Windows App, Parsec, AnyDesk) | Full Windows compatibility | Mostly Paid | Uses a remote Windows machine; performance depends on network; ideal for occasional or remote access. |
Table of Contents
1. Virtual Machines (Best For Beginners)
For most Mac users, the simplest and most seamless way to run Windows is with a virtual machine. This lets you use Windows and macOS side-by-side – without restarting your Mac.
A virtual machine (VM) is software that creates a virtual Windows computer inside your Mac. You can run Windows apps in their own window, copy and paste between macOS and Windows, and even share files between the two operating systems.
There are a few virtual machines available for Macs, the best ones being:
- Parallels: (Standard version $99.99/£89.99 although 35% off for a limited time. Parallels review.)
- VMware Fusion Pro: (Free, VMware Fusion Review)
- UTM: (Free. UTM review)
- VirtualBox: (Free)
Parallels Desktop is by far the slickest and most well integrated with macOS, requiring just a few clicks to install Windows
VMware Fusion is a close second and while not quite as easy to setup and as well integrated with macOS, it’s completely free to use.
UTM is the most limited and hardest to setup but again, it is free.
VMware Fusion works on Intel Macs but Apple Silicon support is still evolving and we wouldn’t recommend trying to use it on M-series chips right now.
For a full look at all virtual machine options, check our guide to the best virtual machines for Mac.
✔️ Pros
- Some options (like VMware Fusion, UTM or VirtualBox) are completely free
- Simple installation process for Windows on macOS
- Run Windows and macOS side-by-side – no need to reboot
- Ideal for running Windows apps and lightweight games
- Supports Windows keyboard shortcuts on your Mac
- Great for IT teams deploying Windows environments across Macs
❌ Cons
- Won’t run games with anti-cheat protection
- No support for DirectX 12 (limited to DirectX 11)
- Some apps like Parallels require a subscription
- Not as fast for gaming – limited GPU acceleration compared to Boot Camp
2. Crossover (Best For Windows Only Gaming)
If you’re looking to run Windows games or apps on your Mac without actually installing Windows, Crossover is one of the smartest and no-fuss solutions – especially for Apple Silicon Macs.
In fact we voted it the best way to play Windows games on a Mac too.
Crossover works by translating Windows commands into macOS-compatible instructions in real-time. It’s based on the open-source Wine project, but comes wrapped in a much more user-friendly interface, regular updates, and professional support.
Crossover is continually improving support for modern games and AAA titles – especially ones that won’t run in virtual machines or need advanced graphics support such as Schedule 1 and The Last Us Part 1.
The preview version of Crossover is also available to subscribers to try and often allows you to play games that aren’t yet supported by the official version.
You can watch-us playing installing and playing Where Winds Meet on a Mac using the Preview version of Crossover below.
Pricing for Crossover starts at $74 per year with a free trial available.
Read our full Crossover for Mac review for more.
✔️ Pros
- No Windows installation required
- No reboot needed – run Windows apps and games directly in macOS
- Apple Silicon compatible
- Supports DirectX 12 and DXVK for better game performance
- Lifetime plan available for long-term value
❌ Cons
- Requires a subscription (or upfront lifetime purchase)
- Doesn’t work with all Windows games/apps (check the full compatibility list first)
- Updates can lag slightly behind major macOS releases
3. Boot Camp (Best For Intel Macs Only)
If you’re using an older Intel Mac, Boot Camp was once the go-to method for running Windows natively on your Mac.
Boot Camp lets you install Windows directly on your Mac’s hard drive in a separate partition. When you start up your Mac, you choose to boot into either macOS or Windows.
However, Boot Camp does not work on any M-series Macs. If your Mac was made after late 2020, Boot Camp is not an option. Apple has phased it out entirely for newer hardware so we really don’t recommend it for running Windows on a Mac nowadays.
If you do still have an Intel Mac, simply search for “Boot Camp” on your Mac to get going with it.
You can also check out our guide on how to install Windows for free with Boot Camp.
✔️ Pros
- Free and built into macOS (on Intel Macs only)
- Gives Windows direct access to all Mac hardware
- Best option for GPU-heavy games and performance-demanding apps
- Works with anti-cheat software and supports DirectX 12
❌ Cons
- Not compatible with Apple Silicon Macs
- Requires a reboot every time you switch between macOS and Windows
- Takes up hard drive space with a dedicated Windows partition
- Lacks the convenience of virtualization (can’t run both operating systems at once)
4. Wine (Best For Tech Savy Users)
Wine – short for “Wine Is Not an Emulator” – is a completely free and open-source way to run some Windows apps and games on your Mac without installing Windows or using a virtual machine.
Wine is actually the basis upon which Crossover has been built although it’s a lot less basic on its own.
Instead of emulating Windows, Wine acts as a compatibility layer: it translates Windows system calls into macOS commands in real time.
Wine can run Windows apps natively within macOS with no full Windows installation required
While Wine has improved a lot in recent versions, it’s still best for advanced users comfortable with Terminal, manual configuration, and troubleshooting.
You will find that many popular apps and games still won’t run properly or crash unexpectedly in it and Wine does not support apps that require DirectX 12 or anti-cheat protection.
If raw Wine is too technical (we think it is), you can also consider using Wine-based tools like:
- Sikarugir (formerly Kegworks) – macOS-native Wine bundle with less setup
- PlayOnMac – GUI-based Wine tool aimed at simplifying app management
✔️ Pros
- Completely free
- No Windows license needed
- Works on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
- Can run some older or niche Windows apps
❌ Cons
- Difficult to install and configure
- Not compatible with many modern Windows programs
- Breaks often with macOS updates
- No support for DirectX 12 or anti-cheat games
- Little to no support for high-performance gaming
5. Remote Desktop Software (Best For Remote Windows Access)
Source: Microsoft
If you already have a Windows PC and just need occasional access to it from your Mac, remote desktop software can be a simple, cost-effective solution – especially for business use.
Instead of running Windows natively or virtually on your Mac, remote desktop apps allow you to connect to a PC remotely and control it as if you were sitting in front of it.
This is particularly handy for Apple Silicon Macs since it allows them to access the standard version of Windows since they can only run Windows ARM using virtual machines.
They allow you to open and edit files, transfer documents, and even print remotely.
While remote desktop apps can be very handy, they don’t offer the speed or responsiveness of local virtualization tools like Parallels or VMware Fusion.
We’ve looked in detail at the best remote desktop software for Macs but some suggestions include:
- Windows App – Microsoft’s official tool, now rebranded and optimized for M-series Macs.
- Chrome Remote Desktop – Free and simple for light use
- RemotePC and ZohoAssist – Good for commercial and cross-platform remote access
✔️ Pros
- No need to install Windows on your Mac
- Access real Windows apps from anywhere
- Great for business, IT support, and document access
- Allows Apple Silicon Macs to access any version of Windows
- File transfers, remote printing, and some DirectX 12 app support
❌ Cons
- Laggy performance, especially with slow internet
- Not suitable for gaming or heavy 3D graphics
- Some apps require subscriptions for full features
- Requires access to an existing Windows PC
FAQ
Can I run Windows on an Apple Silicon Mac?
Yes, you can run Windows on Apple Silicon Macs with the M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 chips using virtualization tools like Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, CrossOver, and UTM.
However, note that Apple Silicon Macs can only run Windows ARM using virtual machines and Boot Camp is not available for them.
Which method is best for running Windows on a Mac?
The best method depends on your needs:
- Virtual Machines: Either Parallels Desktop (best for seamless switching between macOS and Windows) or VMware Fusion (similar to Parallels with slower performance but free).
- Boot Camp: Best for native performance but only available for Intel Macs.
- CrossOver: Best for running specific Windows applications without installing Windows.
- Wine: Best if you’re comfortable configuring and setting-up open source software.
- Remote Desktop: Best if you have access to a Windows PC remotely.
Do I need a Windows license to run Windows in macOS?
Yes, you need a valid Windows license to install and run Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or UTM.
Will running Windows on my Mac affect performance?
Running Windows on your Mac using virtualization tools can slightly impact performance compared to running it natively on a Windows PC.
However, Apple Silicon Macs are more powerful than the previous generation of Intel Macs and performance issues are much less of an issue than they were.
Boot Camp offers the best performance since it runs Windows natively.
Can I run Windows games on a Mac?
Yes, you can run Windows games on a Mac using any of these methods although we wouldn’t recommend remote desktop software (too much lag) or the UTM virtual machine (no 3D graphics acceleration) for this.
Fore more on this, check out our guide on the best ways to run Windows games on a Mac.
Are there any free methods to run Windows on Macs?
Yes, the following methods are completely free to use:
- VMware Fusion Pro is now free to use for personal, educational and commercial usage.
- UTM is a free virtualization tool for Apple Silicon Macs. Boot Camp is also free, but it requires a valid Windows license.
- Wine is free if you can set it up properly. If you can’t, Sikarugir (formerly Kegworks) is an adaption of Wine that makes things a bit easier.
- Whisky is another popular free tool to play Windows only games on a Mac.
- There are also free Remote Desktop apps if you already have access to a Windows PC.
How can I transfer files between macOS and Windows?
Most of the methods we have covered allow you to exchange files and folders but we found that Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are the only ones that make it easy to share folders, allowing you to easily transfer files between macOS and Windows.
Are there any risks installing Windows on my Mac?
There are absolutely no risks running or accessing Windows on your Mac. All of the methods we have covered effectively isolate the rest of your Mac from any potential problems with viruses, malware or adware.
If a Windows installation on a virtual machine or Boot Camp were to get a virus or corrupted in some way, it wouldn’t damage macOS. You can simply delete the Windows installation and reinstall it.
If you choose to access Windows remotely with remote desktop software then there’s even less risk as Windows isn’t even hosted on your Mac.
However, we always recommend backing-up your Mac with Time Machine before trying any of these methods to be on the safe side.
Is installing Windows on a Mac legal?
Installing Windows on any Mac (or any other computer) is perfectly legal.
In fact, Apple actively encourages it by providing Boot Camp in Intel Macs and there’s no issues with the Windows EULA installing it on Macs using any of these methods.
You can also use both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for free perfectly legally. Microsoft only requires you to purchase a product key for Windows if you want to personalize things like the desktop wallpaper, theme and other minor tweaks.