Revit is one of the few major BIM tools that still doesn’t support macOS, which makes it frustrating for architects, engineers and designers using a Mac.
The good news is that you can run Revit on a Mac in 2026, including on Apple Silicon Macs (M-series chips).
Quick Answer
Yes – you can run Revit on a Mac by installing Windows using a virtual machine like Parallels, connecting to a remote Windows PC, using Boot Camp (Intel Macs only) or accessing it through a Cloud PC.
The best method for most users is Parallels Desktop running Windows 11 ARM, which allows Revit to run smoothly on modern Macs without restarting.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do it, based on real-world testing running Revit on Apple Silicon Macs.
Contents
Will Revit Be Released For Mac?
Autodesk has no plans to release a version of Revit for Mac and has confirmed this to users on its forums.
The main reason for this is simply that Autodesk does not see the return on investment worth it, even though it acknowledges there is a demand for it.
You can however use one of these methods to install Revit on a Mac instead.
1. Using a Virtual Machine (Free & Paid)
A virtual machine allows you to run Windows on a Mac within macOS.
There are several virtual machines available for Macs but the most polished (and most effective at running Revit) is Parallels.
Although it requires a subscription, Parallels is by far the easiest virtual machine to setup and install Windows and works on both Intel Macs and the latest Apple Silicon Macs.
There is also the VMware Fusion virtual machine which is free to use but is more complicated to setup and less reliable than Parallels at running Revit.
On Apple Silicon Macs (M1-M5 chips), virtual machines can only run Windows ARM but Revit is fully compatible with it.
Using Parallels means you don’t have to restart your Mac when you want to use Revit – you can just switch to macOS as you do when you want to use any other application.
Just follow these instructions to install Revit using Parallels:
- Download a free trial of Parallels and then follow the setup instructions to install Windows 11. If you have any problems with it, you can check out our instructions how to setup Parallels.
- Purchase Revit or download a free trial in Windows to try it first. If you’re a student or educator you can also use Revit for free with an Autodesk Education Plan but this is strictly for non-commercial use and you’ll need to prove your student status.
- Run the Revit installer within Windows on your Mac. This can take up to 10-15 minutes to complete as it downloads the installer, packages and updates required to run Revit.
I strongly recommend dedicating at least 30GB of RAM to Parallels on your Mac when running any kind of CAD software, especially if you’re dealing with 3D objects. The recommended settings in Parallels are simply not enough to handle it well and it was painfully sluggish to use when I first tried.
To change this, make sure that Windows is shut down in Parallels and go to Actions > Configure select the Hardware tab > CPU and Memory and change the Memory and CPU settings manually.
Once I’d increased it to 30GB of RAM and 8 Processors, I noticed a big improvement although there is still some lag which is unavoidable with CPU intensive apps like Revit.
Apart from allocating as much RAM and CPU power as possible to Parallels, I’d also recommend optimizing it for CAD work by going to Actions > Configure and in the General tab, select “Design”.
You can watch me running Revit in Parallels in the video here with these settings. As you can see, it runs pretty well although even with a lot of Memory and CPUs dedicated to Parallels, it still gets laggy when trying to manipulate 3D graphics.
2. Using Remote Access Software (Free & Paid)
Another way to use Revit on a Mac is through remote access software, which lets you connect to and control a PC with Revit installed on it from your Mac.
Remote access tools enable you to run applications on a different computer as if they were on your own machine. Some of these tools are free, while others may require a subscription or a one-time purchase.
To remotely run Revit on your Mac, you’ll need the following:
- Remote access software on your Mac, such as the free Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop). There are other options such as RemotePC however that you can use instead.
- A remote Windows PC with Revit installed.
Using Revit remotely isn’t as effective as using a virtual machine.
The performance is heavily dependent on the stability and speed of your internet connection, which can lead to significant lag and delays.
Additionally, remote access may limit your ability to do things such as drag and drop files from your Mac or access files on an external device.
For more options, you can explore our guide on the best remote desktop software for Mac to find the right tool for your needs and budget.
3. Using Boot Camp (Free, Intel Macs Only)
Boot Camp is a built-in utility in macOS that allows you to run either macOS or Windows on your Mac by dual-booting.
Unlike a virtual machine like Parallels, which lets you operate macOS and Windows simultaneously, Boot Camp requires you to boot into one operating system at a time. Switching between macOS and Windows involves restarting your Mac and selecting the desired OS.
It’s important to note that Boot Camp is only available on Intel-based Macs. It is not compatible with the latest Apple Silicon Macs (M1-M5 chips).
If you have an Intel Mac, you can install Revit by following these steps:
- Install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp by following these instructions. When setting up, make sure to allocate as much space as possible for the Windows partition, as Revit requires significant disk space. If your internal storage is limited, consider using an external hard drive – preferably a Thunderbolt drive – for installing Windows and running Revit.
- After installing Windows through Boot Camp, download and install a free trial or a purchased version of Revit within the Windows environment on your Mac.
4. Run Revit on Mac Using a Cloud PC
Another increasingly popular way to run Revit on a Mac in 2026 is by using a cloud-based Windows PC.
This involves renting a high-performance Windows machine in the cloud and accessing it from your Mac via a browser or app.
Unlike virtual machines, this method gives you access to powerful GPUs, high RAM, and workstation-level performance without relying on your Mac’s hardware.
How it works
- Sign up for a cloud PC provider (see suggestions below)
- Choose your hardware specs (CPU, GPU, RAM)
- Install Revit on the cloud machine
- Connect to it from your Mac using a browser or desktop app
Popular cloud PC providers for Revit
- AWS WorkSpaces
- Vagon
- Paperspace
- Shadow
The downside of using a cloud PC is that monthly costs can be high, it requires a fast, stable internet connection and there will be some slight input lag depending on latency.
Limitations of Running Revit on a Mac
Although as you can see, its entirely possible to run Revit on a Mac, there are some important limitations to be aware of – especially compared to using a native Windows PC.
1. Reduced performance in virtual machines
When using tools like Parallels or VMware Fusion, Revit runs through an additional layer of virtualization.
This can result in:
- Slower rendering times
- Reduced responsiveness in large 3D models
- Occasional lag when navigating complex projects
2. Limited GPU access
Revit relies heavily on GPU acceleration, particularly for rendering and real-time 3D views.
However:
- Virtual machines do not fully utilise your Mac’s GPU
- Apple Silicon Macs do not support eGPUs
- Graphics performance is lower than on a dedicated Windows PC
3. High RAM requirements
Running macOS, Windows, and Revit at the same time is resource-intensive.
For smooth performance, you’ll realistically need:
- 16GB RAM minimum
- 24GB–32GB recommended for serious work
4. Storage
Installing Windows and Revit requires significant disk space.
You’ll typically need:
- 50GB–100GB+ free storage
- Additional space for project files
You may want to extend the storage of your Mac with an external SSD drive.
5. Compatibility risks
Because you’re running multiple layers (macOS > Windows > Revit), updates can sometimes cause issues.
For example:
- Windows updates may affect performance
- Parallels updates may require reconfiguration
- Autodesk updates may introduce bugs in virtual environments
How to Improve Revit Performance on Mac
If you want the best possible experience running Revit on a Mac, optimizing your setup is essential.
Here are the most effective ways to improve performance:
1. Allocate more RAM to your virtual machine
This is the single biggest performance boost.
- Assign at least 16GB RAM
- Ideally use 24GB–30GB+ for larger projects
2. Increase CPU allocation
Set your virtual machine to use:
- 6–8 CPU cores (or more if available)
This helps with:
- Model processing
- View rendering
- General responsiveness
3. Use an SSD (or fast internal storage)
Revit performance is heavily affected by disk speed.
- It’s best to run your VM from an SSD
- Avoid slow external drives unless they are Thunderbolt
4. Close unnecessary macOS apps
Running too many apps alongside Parallels will reduce available system resources.
Before launching Revit:
- Close browsers with many tabs
- Quit background apps
- Free up memory
5. Work with smaller or linked models
Large Revit files can quickly slow things down.
To improve performance:
- Split projects into linked models
- Work on smaller sections where possible
6. Use cloud rendering for heavy tasks
Rendering is one of the most demanding parts of Revit.
If your Mac struggles:
- Export models and use cloud-based rendering tools
- This avoids overloading your system
7. Keep everything updated (carefully)
Make sure:
- Parallels is up to date
- Windows is updated
- Revit is updated
But avoid updating everything at once – test changes gradually to prevent compatibility issues.
Final tip
For most users, RAM and CPU allocation will make the biggest difference – far more than anything else.
FAQ
Does Revit work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. Revit runs on Apple Silicon Macs using virtual machines, the best ones being:
Windows ARM includes x64 emulation, which allows Revit to run reliably. Performance is generally very good with sufficient RAM, ideally 30GB or more.
Why is there still no Revit for Mac?
Autodesk has never officially explained this, but likely reasons include:
- High development and maintenance costs
- Smaller Mac market share in AEC industries
- Heavy reliance on Windows-specific APIs
Which method is best for running Revit on a Mac?
- Parallels Desktop: Best overall experience and Apple Silicon support
- VMware Fusion: Best free option although I haven’t tested this
- Remote Desktop: Best if you already have a Windows PC with Revit installed
- Boot Camp: Best performance (but Intel Macs only)
Will running Revit on a Mac hurt performance?
- Virtualization is slower than native Windows
- Boot Camp delivers near-native performance
- Apple Silicon Macs with enough RAM perform extremely well in Parallels
For most needs, the performance difference is no longer a deal-breaker in 2026.
Can I use an external GPU (eGPU) with Revit?
- eGPUs only work with Intel Macs
- eGPUs do NOT work with Apple Silicon Macs
- eGPUs do not accelerate Windows virtual machines effectively
As a result, eGPUs are not recommended for Revit on modern Macs.
How can I transfer files between macOS and Windows?
Both Parallels and VMware Fusion support:
- Shared folders
- Drag-and-drop
- Cloud storage syncing
Note that I find setting-up shared folders and exchanging files easier in Parallels than VMware Fusion.
Are there any free ways to run Revit on a Mac?
Revit is free with the Autodesk Education Plan which you can run on a Mac using the following methods:
- Boot Camp (Intel Macs)
- VMware Fusion (free for personal use)
- Free Remote Desktop software (if you already own a Windows PC)
Can you get Revit for free?
There is no free commercial version of Revit. However, students and educators can use Revit for free via the Autodesk Education Plan (non-commercial use only) but you must prove your student status to access this.