8 Best Windows Emulators for Mac in 2025

Windows emulators let you run Windows OS on Mac. These emulators create a virtual Windows environment on your Mac. You can switch between macOS and Windows, Install Windows-only software or games available on Windows on your Mac, and more. There are plenty of emulators available for Windows. In this guide, we have listed the best eight best Windows emulators for Mac.

What is an Emulator?

An Emulator is software that runs on top of an existing operating system. In simple terms, emulators allow you to run different software, applications, or games designed to run on other hardware or operating systems. There are different types of emulators, including console emulators, which allow you to play old console games on modern devices; mobile emulators, which allow you to run mobile apps like Android and iOS on your device; and computer emulators, similar to Windows emulators on Mac that let you run Windows software on Mac.

However, emulators have some limitations. Emulators might not run every Windows program perfectly, and some resource-intensive applications, like high-end games or complex software.

Also, the recent transition of Mac computers from Intel processors to Apple Silicon chips (like the M Series chip) has impacted Windows emulators. Older emulators were designed for Intel-based Macs and might not work as well, or at all, on newer Macs with Apple Silicon. However, developers are updating and creating new emulators to work with Apple Silicon. There are already some good emulators like Parallels Desktop that already work great on Apple Silicon.

Best Windows emulators for Mac

1. Parallels: Best overall Windows emulator for Mac. It is compatible with Apple Silicon and Intel chips and offers many features. It is a paid tool.
2. VMware Fusion: The best alternative to Parallels, VMware Fusion offers a free version for personal use.
3. VirtualBox: A free alternative for running Windows on Mac. VirtualBox is more technical and a solid choice for those who need a no-cost solution.
4. Boot Camp Assistant: The tool from Apple allows you to install Windows and boot your Mac into either macOS or Windows. It’s not an emulator but a dual-boot solution. It is not available for Apple Silicon Macs.
5. Wine: A free compatibility layer that lets you run Windows applications directly on macOS and other operating systems. Helps run specific Windows apps without installing the full Windows OS.
6. UTM: A versatile and free virtual machine tool for Mac that supports various operating systems, including Windows.
7. Wineskin: A free tool for more technical users, It creates wrappers for Windows apps, allowing them to run on macOS.
8. WineBottler: Similar to Wineskin, WineBottler packages Windows applications into Mac apps. It is a bit technical but free. It allows you to run Windows apps on macOS without installing the entire Windows operating system.

Parallels

• Type: Emulator
• Platform: macOS
• Primary Use: Virtualization
• Price: Paid
• System Support: Apple Silicon, Intel Macs

Parallels Desktop is an excellent tool for Mac users who want to run Windows on Mac. The tools allow you to set up Windows on your Mac without any hassle. It is compatible with the latest Apple Silicon Macs, including the M1 and M2 processors.

You can also quickly move files and content between Mac and Windows. You can drag and drop the files between operating systems. The tool allows you to use Windows apps beside your Mac apps without seeing the Windows desktop.

Parallels Desktop also lets you use your Mac’s features, like the camera, microphone, and trackpad in Windows. You can even connect devices that usually only work with Windows, like certain printers and Android phones.

Parallels Desktop supports ARM versions of multiple operating systems for Macs running on M-series chips. This includes Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise editions. Parallels Desktop also supports various Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Kali Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and more. You can also run additional macOS as a guest operating system.

Parallels Desktop is user-friendly and offers solid performance. Along with the emulator, Parallel Desktop also comes with access to the Parallels Toolbox to help you troubleshoot errors while running the emulator.

Parallels Desktop is a paid tool that offers different versions, such as Standard, Pro, and Business. Each version offers additional features. It comes in three pricing editions, with costs ranging from $79.99 to $99.99.

Download Parallel Windows Emulator

VMware Fusion

• Type: Emulator
• Platform: macOS
• Primary Use: Virtualization
• Price: Paid
• System Support: Apple Silicon, Intel Macs

VMware Fusion is another of the best and most popular tools to run Windows on Mac. The tool is supported on Macs running on the latest Apple silicon chips. It offers unique features that allow you to download Windows on Mac and full 3D graphics support. VMware Fusion allows Mac users to run Windows alongside macOS, and it works by creating a virtual environment for Windows within your Mac.

VMware Fusion is also an excellent tool for developers. It offers a flexible space for building and testing all kinds of apps. You can use virtual machines, containers, or Kubernetes clusters on your Mac. You can run a whole virtual cloud system on a single Mac. This is super useful for showing off software solutions in real-time, and you can quickly go back to previous settings if needed.

VMware Fusion has solid performance with better graphics and tools, making it feel more natural on a Mac. You can quickly transfer files between your Mac and VM or lock down the VM for more security. Runs the app smoothly and more. VMware Fusion makes sure graphics-heavy tasks, like gaming or using big apps, run smoothly on Apple silicon Macs. For professionals, VMware Fusion offers advanced options to create custom virtual networks.

VMware Fusion is the best option for Mac users who need to run Windows or other operating systems without leaving macOS. It is especially beneficial for professionals and ideal for software testing. Not only Windows, but Fusion also lets you run different operating systems on your Mac. VMware Fusion is a paid tool for Mac with various pricing options, including a free version for personal use and different priced versions for more advanced features and commercial use.

Download VMware Fusion

Virtual Box

• Type: Emulator
• Platform: Cross-platform
• Primary Use: Virtualization
• Price: Free
• System Support: Limited Apple Silicon support

VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualization software developed by Oracle. It allows you to run an entire operating system like Windows on your Mac. Unlike Emulator, Virtualbox creates a virtual environment where you can install Windows and operate independently from the macOS.

VirtualBox comes with special software packages to run Windows on your Mac. It features shared folders, seamless windows, and accelerated 3D graphics, improving the interaction between the host and guest systems running on your Mac.

Virtualbox uses the Mac’s existing hardware architecture. Downloading and installing Windows on your Mac through virtual can be a complex task. We shared detailed steps below.

Overall, VirtualBox is a free virtualization tool for Mac. It is ideal for personal, educational, or evaluation use. It offers an open-source solution for running various operating systems on your Mac. For advanced features, VirtualBox also offers an Extension Pack, which is available for free Personal Use and as an Enterprise License for commercial use.

How to Set Up VirtualBox for Windows on a Mac:

• Download VirtualBox from the official website and install it on your Mac.
• Open VirtualBox and create a new VM. Specify that this VM will be for a Windows operating system.
• Now, allocate resources like RAM and CPU cores to the VM from the setup.
• You also set up a virtual hard disk for the VM. This disk, a file on your Mac’s hard drive, will store the Windows operating system and all its files.
• Download the Windows ISO file and copy it to the drive. To install Windows, Mount the ISO file as a virtual CD/DVD in VirtualBox and boot the VM from it. Follow the standard Windows installation process to set up Windows on Mac.
• Once Windows is installed on the VM, you can start the VM and run Windows in a window on your Mac. You can install and use Windows applications within this environment.

Download Virtual box

Boot Camp Assistant

• Type: Boot Loader
• Platform: macOS
• Primary Use: Dual-booting
• Price: Free
• System Support: Intel Macs only

Boot Camp Assistant is a software utility developed by Apple for Macs. The primary function of this is to assist users in installing Microsoft Windows on their Macs alongside macOS. Unlike a virtual machine or an emulator, Boot Camp Assistant allows you to run Windows directly on your Mac’s hardware using dual boot.

This dual-boot capability is handy for those who need to run Windows-specific applications or prefer the Windows operating system for specific tasks while still using the macOS experience. You can run either macOS or Windows using the Boot Camp Assitant. Boot assistant is only available for older Macbooks running on Intel.

The significant advantage of using boot camp assistant to run Windows is the performance; since Windows runs directly on the hardware, it is fast and efficient, just like on a regular Windows PC. You can expect high performance, like running Windows on a dedicated PC. It is perfect for resource-heavy tasks like gaming or video editing, where you need the full power of your computer’s processor and graphics card.

Boot Camp Assistant is compatible with Intel Mac computers. However, you need a licensed copy of Windows, which you must purchase separately to install on the Mac. The tool helps you divide your Mac’s hard drive into two parts – one for macOS and the other for Windows. You can decide how much space to allocate to each operating system. Boot Camp Assistant automatically installs the necessary drivers to ensure Windows works well with your Mac’s hardware.

After installing Bootcamp assistant on your Mac, you can switch between macOS and Windows by restarting your Mac and holding down the Option key. This brings up a boot menu where you can select which operating system to start.

Steps on How to Install Bootcamp on MacOS

• Download the Windows ISO file(Bootcamp supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 based on your Mac model)  from Microsoft’s website.
• Open Boot Camp Assistant on your Mac, located in the Utilities folder within Applications. If you don’t have it, you can download it from here.
• Install it on your Mac and Click Continue in Boot Camp Assistant, then select the Windows 10 ISO file you downloaded in the previous step.
• Allocate disk space for the Windows partition using the slider. Make sure you allocate 64GB or more, which is recommended for Windows on Mac.
• Click Install and enter your administrator password when prompted. Your Mac will restart and boot into the Windows setup process.
• Choose your language, keyboard layout, and Windows edition. Now, If you have a product key, enter it. Otherwise, select “I don’t have a product key. “
• Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows setup process.
• Once Windows is installed, Boot Camp Assistant will automatically launch and install the necessary drivers for your Mac hardware.
• To use Windows, Restart your Mac. You can now choose to boot into macOS or Windows by holding down the Option key while restarting your Mac.

Download Bootcamp

Wine

• Type: Compatibility Layer
• Platform: Cross-platform
• Primary Use: Run Windows apps
• Price: Free
• System Support: Cross-platform

Wine is the best option for users who want to run Windows software and games on their Mac. Wine supports various Windows programs, from the latest ones to older versions. It is excellent for gamers and developers who need to test or run software across different operating systems.

Wine supports many features that are supported on Windows. For example, you can play videos and sounds using Windows formats, print documents, and display various types of graphics and fonts, just like Windows. Wine also supports external devices, and it is compatible with many coding and development tools used in Windows.

Wine is free and offers cross-platform support, including support for the latest Apple silicon. Overall, Wine is ideal for anyone who wants to run Windows-specific apps and games on your Mac.

Download Wine

UTM

• Type: Emulator
• Platform: macOS
• Primary Use: Virtualization
• Price: Free
• System Support: Apple Silicon, Intel Macs

UTM is a virtual machine software designed for macOS and iOS. It allows you to run multiple operating systems in a virtualized environment on your Mac. UTM supports Windows, Linux, and more.

UTM uses the QEMU open source machine emulator and virtualizer to create virtual machines. This means you can run a different operating system in a window on your Mac, which is separate from the host operating system.

UTM is supported on both Intel-based Macs and newer Apple Silicon Macs, as well as iPads. UTM is easier to set up and use than similar programs. It looks and works like a regular Mac app. You should note that UTM isn’t great for playing new Windows games on your Mac. It can’t handle the fancy graphics that more recent games need.

Overall, UTM is a powerful tool for running multiple operating systems on your Mac. Its free and open-source nature makes it accessible for Intek and Apple Silicon Macs.

Download UTM

Wineskin

• Type: Compatibility Layer
• Platform: macOS
• Primary Use: Run Windows apps
• Price: Free
• System Support: Intel Macs

Wineskin offers a unique approach to running Windows applications on macOS. This tool is the best option to access Windows-only programs on your Mac. It operates differently from emulators or virtual machines (VMs).

Instead of emulating the entire Windows operating system, Wineskin creates a wrapper around each Windows application running on the Mac. This enables Windows apps to run natively on macOS. The wrapper includes the Windows libraries and settings required for the application to run. Each Windows program operates within its environment and offers better performance.

You can run various Windows software on your Mac using the Winskin. Wineskin also comes with the ability to share these wrappers. You can easily share this wrapper with other macOS users once you’ve set up a Windows application to work on your Mac. However, it is essential to note that Wineskin Winery is more complex than similar tools. You might require technical knowledge to set and configure it on your Mac.

Overall, Winksin is free and offers a unique solution that allows Windows applications to run on macOS by creating individual wrappers for each app. It differs from traditional emulators and VMs as it doesn’t replicate hardware or require a complete guest OS to run applications. Winskin is currently supported on Intel-based Macs. The developers say support for Apple silicon Mac is under development.

Download Wineskin

Winebottler

• Type: Compatibility Layer
• Platform: macOS
• Primary Use: Run Windows apps
• Price: Free
• System Support: Intel Macs

WineBottler is another tool that is best for Mac users who want to run Windows-based programs on Mac. Similar to Wineskin, WineBottler creates wrappers, allowing you to run Windows apps directly on a Mac without installing emulators or virtualizers.

One of the best features of WineBottler is its ability to automate Windows software installation. It provides scripts for downloading, configuring, and installing applications into a Mac app. This process makes it easy to set up a Windows program and run on macOS.It allows you to convert .Exe or .MSI files into Mac applications. The tool also offers advanced users options to install unique dependencies and create self-contained apps containing everything needed to run them, even on other Macs.

If you don’t want to go through the process of creating a Mac app, WineBottler also offers the option to run Windows executable files directly on your Mac. This provides a quick way to use a Windows program without additional steps. Like Wine, WineBottler is free to use and designed for Macs with Intel 64 architecture and requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later.

Overall, WineBottler offers a user-friendly way to run Windows-based programs on a Mac, offering casual and advanced users flexibility. It can automate installations and convert Windows files to Mac apps, making it a handy tool for integrating Windows software into a macOS environment.

Download Winebottler

How To Choose the Best Windows Emulator for Mac

• Compatibility: Check if the emulator supports the latest versions of Windows and macOS. It is essential to ensure that the software you want to run on Windows will work smoothly on the emulator.
• Performance: Look for an emulator that offers good speed and doesn’t slow down your Mac. A faster emulator means a better experience, especially if you’re using resource-heavy applications.
• Ease of Use: Choose an easy emulator to set up and use. A user-friendly interface is a big plus, especially if you’re not tech-savvy.
• Features: Some emulators offer extra features like running Windows apps in macOS windows, copying and pasting between operating systems, and sharing files directly. Consider features that are important for your needs.
• Price: Emulators range from free to paid. Decide on your budget and check if the cost of the emulator is worth the features it offers.
• Support and Updates: Look for customer support, as an emulator can be tricky for some people. Good customer care support quickly addresses any bugs or issues with the emulator.

Side by Side Comparison of the Best Windows Emulators for Mac

Boost Your Cross-Platform Experience

Those are the best Windows emulators for Mac. Emulators can be a fantastic way to run Windows on a Mac. Parallels are the best pick for overall performance and ease of use, especially for users who need a seamless and high-powered emulation experience. VirtualBox is a solid choice if you’re on a budget or prefer a free option, although it may require more technical knowledge.

For those interested in running specific Windows applications without installing the full Windows OS, Wine, Wineskin, and WineBottler are excellent options. UTM is the best and most versatile solution for tech enthusiasts or developers who need to run multiple operating systems. I hope this guide helps you find the perfect Windows emulator for your Mac. If you have any suggestions or want further information, please comment or write to us at rreddy@techpp. com.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I run all Windows applications on a Mac using these emulators?

Yes, you can install Windows applications on Mac using these emulators. While these emulators are designed to run many Windows applications, some programs, especially those that are resource-intensive or require specific hardware, may also not work. It is always best to check the compatibility of the particular application with the emulator you choose.

2. Are there performance differences between using an emulator and a native Windows PC?

Yes, there can be performance differences. While emulators offer high performance, they may not match the performance of a dedicated Windows PC, especially for high-end gaming or resource-heavy software applications.

3. Is using these emulators to run Windows on a Mac legal?

Yes, it is legal to use these emulators, but you must have an original copy of Windows to install it on the emulator. Using Pirated or unlicensed versions of Windows is illegal and not supported by these tools.

4. How does using an emulator affect my Mac’s security?

Running an emulator doesn’t affect your Mac’s security. However, when running Windows on your Mac, you should be careful of Windows-specific programs containing viruses and malware. It is recommended that antivirus software be used within the Windows environment.

5. Can I use peripherals (like printers or scanners) with Windows running on these emulators?

Yes, most emulators support the use of peripherals. However, the level of support can vary depending on the emulator and the specific device. You can refer to the emulator’s specifications to check the compatibility.

6. Does using a Windows emulator affect the performance of my Mac?

Yes, running a Windows emulator can impact your Mac’s performance. Rinnung emulator requires additional processing power and memory. It can slow down your Mac. It is essential to manage the resources assigned to the emulator and close them when they are not in use to optimize your Mac’s overall performance.

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