Parallels Desktop is the better choice for most people who need to use Windows regularly on a Mac. It is paid software, but it is easier to set up, integrates much more closely with macOS and has clearer support for the latest Macs and most recent versions of macOS.
VMware Fusion Pro is the best free alternative. It can run Windows 11 well enough for many everyday tasks, is free for personal, educational and commercial use, and remains a useful option on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs. The trade-off is a less polished Mac–Windows experience, no included support, and some important limitations on Apple silicon.
The most important point is that neither app can make every Windows program or game work on an Apple silicon Mac. Both run Windows 11 on Arm, rather than the standard x64 version of Windows. Windows on Arm can run many traditional x86 and x64 applications through emulation, but drivers, specialist peripherals, some security software and many modern games can still be problematic.
For a broader look at the alternatives, see our guide to the best virtual machines for Mac and our complete guide to the best ways to run Windows on a Mac.
Parallels vs VMware Fusion at a Glance
| Feature | Parallels Desktop | VMware Fusion Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most people who use Windows regularly and want the smoothest experience | Occasional users, students, tinkerers and anyone who wants a free VM |
| Cost of the VM software | Paid after a free trial | Free for personal, educational and commercial use |
| Current 2026 release | Parallels Desktop 27 | VMware Fusion 26H1 family |
| Mac support | Parallels Desktop 27 is Apple silicon only; Intel Macs remain on Parallels Desktop 26 | Intel and Apple silicon Macs |
| Windows setup on Apple silicon | Can download and install Windows 11 on Arm automatically | Can download Windows 11 on Arm through the built-in Get Windows option |
| Mac–Windows integration | Excellent: shared folders, copy and paste, drag and drop, shared apps and Coherence mode | Good basic integration, but less seamless; Windows-on-Arm shared folders are not supported on Apple silicon |
| Graphics | DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4.3 on Apple silicon; stronger option for demanding professional Windows apps | DirectX 11 support for Windows 11 on Arm, but fewer Mac-specific integration and graphics advantages |
| Gaming | Better option of the two, but still not suitable for every PC game | Fine for light or compatible games, but not a replacement for a Windows gaming PC |
| Support | Paid support is included with subscriptions | Community, documentation and knowledge-base support only for free users |
| macOS Golden Gate | Officially supported by Parallels Desktop 27 | No official Golden Gate support announced at the time of writing |
| Cost | Requires a paid license starting at $99/year, with options for standard and pro editions. Currently offers 45% off. | Now free version for personal, educational and commercial use. |
Parallels
The Short Answer: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Parallels Desktop if you want Windows to feel like an extension of macOS. It is the best choice for Microsoft Office features that are missing from Office for Mac, accounting software, Microsoft Access, business apps, development tools and other Windows programs you need to use frequently.
Choose VMware Fusion Pro if cost is the deciding factor and you are happy to do a little more troubleshooting yourself. It is particularly attractive if you only need Windows occasionally, want to learn about virtual machines, or have an Intel Mac and want a current free option.
If one particular Windows app, driver, game or work system is essential, do not choose solely on price or a general compatibility claim. Check its requirements first, then read our guide to Windows on Arm compatibility on a Mac. A remote Windows PC, Windows 365, CrossOver or cloud gaming can sometimes be a better answer than a virtual machine.
Parallels Desktop: Best Overall for Most Mac Users
Parallels has long been the easiest way to run Windows alongside macOS, and that is still its main advantage over VMware Fusion.
It can download and install Windows 11 during setup, configure the virtual machine automatically and get you to a usable Windows desktop with very little manual work. You can then run Windows in its own window, full screen, or use Coherence mode to place individual Windows applications alongside your Mac apps.
Better integration with macOS
Parallels is definitely the better choice if you will regularly move between macOS and Windows. It supports:
- Copying and pasting text and files between macOS and Windows
- Dragging files between the Mac and the virtual machine
- Shared Mac folders in Windows
- Opening Mac folders from Windows and Windows files from macOS
- Using Windows applications alongside Mac applications in Coherence mode
- Sharing printers, cameras and other supported devices more simply
That is a meaningful practical difference, not just a cosmetic one. For example, you can keep a Windows-only accounting or engineering app open next to Safari, Mail and Finder, rather than treating Windows as a completely separate computer.
If you need help moving documents between the two systems, see our guide to sharing files between a Mac and a Windows virtual machine.
Parallels Desktop 27: better professional graphics support
Parallels Desktop 27 is built for Apple silicon Macs and fully supports macOS Golden Gate. It adds a Metal-based OpenGL 4.3 driver for Windows 11 on Arm, improving compatibility with some professional Windows apps that use more demanding OpenGL graphics.
This makes Parallels a better choice than before for some CAD, GIS, engineering, mapping and design work. It does not mean that every high-end Windows graphics application will work perfectly in a virtual machine, so check the exact application before buying a Mac or a Parallels licence around it.
Parallels also remains the only third-party virtual-machine solution that Microsoft specifically authorizes for running Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise on Apple silicon Macs. Windows itself is still a separate purchase and licence.
Standard vs Pro edition
Parallels Desktop Standard is enough for ordinary Windows programs, including Office, finance software, education apps and many business tools. It is limited to 8GB of virtual RAM and four virtual CPUs per virtual machine.
Parallels Desktop Pro is the better option if Windows is part of your daily work, you run multiple virtual machines, need more than 8GB of virtual RAM, or use development, engineering and graphics-intensive software. Pro supports up to 128GB of virtual RAM and 32 virtual CPUs per VM, subject to the hardware in your Mac.
There is also a Business edition for organisations that need central deployment, licence management and admin tools.
For a closer look at setup, performance and limitations, read our full Parallels Desktop review.
The main drawbacks of Parallels
The obvious downside is cost. Parallels offers a free trial, but it is not a permanently free product. Standard is available as either an annual subscription or a one-time purchase, while Pro and Business are subscription products. Prices and promotions vary by country, so check the current price before buying.
The one-time Standard licence remains usable for the version you buy, but it does not include future major upgrades. That matters because new macOS releases can require a newer Parallels version. If you upgrade macOS promptly every year, the subscription is usually the safer choice.
There is also an important hardware caveat: Parallels Desktop 27 is Apple silicon only. If you still have an Intel Mac, Parallels Desktop 26 is the latest compatible major version, not Parallels 27.
VMware Fusion Pro: The Best Free Alternative
VMware Fusion Pro is now free for personal, educational and commercial use. That makes it an exceptionally capable free virtual machine for Mac, particularly when you compare it with the annual cost of Parallels.
VMware has moved to calendar-style version names, so the current 2026 release family is Fusion 26H1 rather than Fusion 13. VMware Fusion continues to support both Intel and Apple silicon Macs, which is another advantage if you are using an older machine.
Installing Windows in VMware Fusion
On an Apple silicon Mac, Fusion can use its Get Windows from Microsoft option to download Windows 11 on Arm. On an Intel Mac, use the standard x64 Windows installer or ISO that matches your hardware.
Fusion can then run Windows in a window, full screen or on another display. It also supports clipboard sharing and drag and drop when VMware Tools is installed, so it is perfectly usable for everyday work.
However, Fusion does not match Parallels for the feeling that macOS and Windows are one environment. It does not offer the same polished shared-app experience, and its current Apple silicon implementation has a limitation that matters if you work with lots of files: Windows 11 on Arm does not support Fusion Shared Folders on Apple silicon.
You can still use drag and drop, copy and paste, cloud storage such as OneDrive, or a network share, but Parallels is much more convenient if regular access to Mac folders from Windows is important.
Read our full VMware Fusion review for a closer look at installing and using it.
No paid support is included
The other compromise is support. Free Fusion users do not get Broadcom phone, live-chat or support-ticket access. Help is available through Broadcom’s documentation, knowledge base and community forums.
That is perfectly acceptable if you’re confident home user who does not mind troubleshooting. It is not a good idea however if Windows is critical to your business, if you need a fast resolution when something breaks, or if you are helping a less technical family member.
macOS compatibility deserves more care
VMware Fusion 26H1 supports macOS Tahoe as a host system on Intel and Apple silicon Macs. It has not, however, received the same clear day-one support for macOS Golden Gate as Parallels Desktop 27.
If you rely on Fusion every day, do not upgrade to a major macOS release just because it installs. Check VMware’s current release notes and community reports first, and make sure you have a backup of your Mac and virtual machine.
Windows 11 on Arm: The Limitation That Applies to Both
On an Apple silicon Mac, neither Parallels nor VMware Fusion can natively virtualize the ordinary x64 edition of Windows. Both use Windows 11 on Arm because the Mac and guest operating system need to use the same processor architecture.
Windows 11 on Arm is much more capable than it used to be. It can run native Arm apps, and Microsoft provides emulation for many traditional x86 and x64 Windows applications. Everyday software such as Microsoft 365, browsers, many business programs and plenty of utilities will work well.
But an app can still fail if it relies on:
- An x64-only, x86-only or kernel-level driver
- Specialist USB hardware, scanners, dongles or older peripherals without an Arm64 driver
- A VPN, security or endpoint-management tool that is not compatible with Windows on Arm
- Nested virtualization features such as Windows Sandbox or some Windows Subsystem for Linux configurations
- High-end GPU features, DirectX 12 or a game anti-cheat driver
This is why a virtual machine should not be treated as a guaranteed replacement for a Windows PC. If compatibility with one crucial application matters, install the free trial or free Fusion version and test it before committing.
For more, check our guide to Windows ARM on Mac.
Pricing, Windows Licences and Support
| Cost or support | Parallels Desktop | VMware Fusion Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual-machine software | Paid after free trial | Free |
| Windows licence | Not included | Not included |
| Windows 11 installation file | Can be downloaded during setup | Can be downloaded through Get Windows on Apple silicon or installed from an ISO |
| Paid technical support | Included with subscriptions; one-time licences have limited support | Not included with the free product |
| Major updates | Included with subscriptions; paid upgrade may be needed for a one-time licence | Included while VMware continues to provide the free product and updates |
It is important not to confuse a free virtual machine with a free Windows licence. VMware Fusion is free, and Microsoft makes Windows installation files easy to download, but Windows still needs a valid licence for proper activation and long-term use. The same applies to Parallels.
You can install Windows 11 before entering a product key to test whether your app works, but that does not turn it into a permanently free, licensed copy of Windows.
For more help with Windows installation images, see our guide to downloading a Windows 11 ISO for Mac.
What About Boot Camp?
Boot Camp is still relevant on an Intel Mac, particularly for software that needs direct access to the Mac’s hardware, a native Windows driver or the best possible graphics performance. It installs Windows on a separate partition, so Windows runs directly on the Mac rather than inside macOS.
The trade-off is that you must restart the Mac to switch between macOS and Windows. Boot Camp is also not available on Apple silicon Macs, so it is not an option for M-series Macs.
If you have a compatible Intel Mac and want to explore that route, see our guide to installing Windows on a Mac with Boot Camp.
Alternatives to Parallels and VMware Fusion
A full Windows virtual machine is not always necessary. Depending on what you need to run, consider:
- CrossOver for individual supported Windows apps and games without installing Windows itself
- Cloud gaming for compatible PC games that do not suit a virtual machine
- Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop or a remote Windows PC for work software that needs full x64 Windows, a specific driver or corporate management tools
- UTM if you want a free, open-source virtual-machine app and are willing to accept more manual setup
Our guide to the best ways to run Windows on a Mac explains when each of these approaches makes more sense than a traditional VM.
Verdict: Parallels Is Better, VMware Fusion Is Better Value
Parallels Desktop is the clear overall winner for most Mac users. It is easier to install, smoother to use day to day, more tightly integrated with macOS and better supported for the latest Apple silicon Macs and macOS releases.
VMware Fusion Pro is the best choice if you want a capable virtual machine without paying for one. It is especially good for occasional Windows use, experimentation and technically confident users who do not need polished folder sharing or guaranteed support.
Choose Parallels if Windows is an important part of your working day. Choose VMware Fusion if Windows is useful but you can tolerate a few compromises to keep the cost at zero.
FAQ
Is VMware Fusion Pro still free in 2026?
Yes. VMware Fusion Pro is available free for personal, educational and commercial use. You need a Broadcom account to download it, and free users rely on documentation and community support rather than paid technical support.
Is Parallels better than VMware Fusion?
For most people, yes. Parallels is easier to set up, offers much tighter macOS integration and gives you more convenient shared-folder and app-integration features. VMware Fusion is the better value if you need a free option.
Can VMware Fusion run Windows 11 on an Apple silicon Mac?
Yes. VMware Fusion can run Windows 11 on Arm on Apple silicon Macs. It cannot virtualize the ordinary x64 version of Windows on those Macs, and some Windows apps, drivers and games may not work on Windows on Arm.
Does VMware Fusion support shared folders on an Apple silicon Mac?
Not for a Windows 11 on Arm guest. Fusion supports clipboard sharing and drag and drop, but its Shared Folders feature is not currently available for Windows on Arm on Apple silicon. Use Parallels, OneDrive, a network share or drag and drop if direct access to Mac folders is important.
Does Parallels Desktop include Windows?
No. Parallels can download and install Windows 11 during setup, but a Parallels licence does not include a Windows licence. You need a valid Windows licence to activate the virtual machine.
Can I play Windows games in Parallels or VMware Fusion?
Some games work, but do not assume that every PC game will. DirectX 12 requirements, anti-cheat software, Windows-on-Arm compatibility and virtualized graphics can all prevent a game from running. Test the individual game before buying either product for gaming.
Does VMware Fusion support macOS Golden Gate?
At the time of writing, VMware had not announced official Fusion support for macOS Golden Gate. Parallels Desktop 27 does officially support it. If Fusion is essential to you, wait for VMware to confirm support before upgrading.