Best ways to run Windows on a Mac in 2026
There is no single best tool for everyone. Here is an honest overview of the main options on Apple Silicon Macs, including our own apps.
| Type | Price model | Setup | Mac folders in Windows | 3D / games | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parallels Desktop | Virtual machine | Paid (subscription options) | Easy | Yes | Best of the group |
| VMware Fusion | Virtual machine | Free (Broadcom account) | Moderate | Not for Windows on Apple Silicon | DirectX 11 |
| UTM | Virtual machine | Free / paid App Store edition | Technical | Limited | Limited |
| WinDock | Virtual machine | Free trial + one-time purchase | Easiest — fully guided | Yes, as a drive + drag-and-drop | Not supported |
| WinDock EXE / CrossOver | Compatibility layer | Trial + purchase | Easy | Yes | Varies |
| Windows 365 / cloud PC | Cloud | Subscription | Easy | Via upload/sync | Limited |
Pricing and features change; check each vendor's website for current details. Information as of October 2026.
Parallels Desktop
The most polished commercial virtual machine for Mac, with strong 3D graphics and deep macOS integration. A good choice if you play games or need maximum performance and are happy to pay for it.
VMware Fusion
Free for personal and commercial use since late 2024. You need a Broadcom account to download it. On Apple Silicon, shared folders are not supported for Windows guests, so moving files relies on drag-and-drop.
UTM
A free, open-source virtualization app based on QEMU. Very flexible, but setting up Windows and its drivers takes more technical steps.
WinDock
Built for people who just want Windows to work. Installation is fully guided, your Mac folder appears as a Windows drive, and drag-and-drop, clipboard and sound are set up automatically. It is available in the Mac App Store with a free trial and a one-time purchase. It is not designed for 3D games. Learn more about WinDock.
Running programs without Windows
If you only need one or two programs, a compatibility layer can run them without installing Windows. See WinDock EXE and our comparison of compatibility tools.
Our recommendation
- Gaming or heavy 3D: Parallels Desktop.
- Free and technical: UTM or VMware Fusion.
- Simplest everyday Windows with your Mac files: WinDock.
- One or two programs without Windows: WinDock EXE.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest way to run Windows on a Mac?
UTM and VMware Fusion are free; WinDock has a one-time purchase with no subscription. All of them still need a Windows license according to Microsoft's terms.
Can any of them run x64 Windows on Apple Silicon?
Virtual machines on Apple Silicon run Windows 11 for Arm, which emulates most x64 apps. Emulating a full x64 Windows is very slow.
WinDock
WinDock creates and runs a Windows 11 ARM virtual machine for you. Choose a Windows ISO from Microsoft and WinDock handles the rest — the virtual machine, Windows Setup, the display driver and the connection to your Mac files.