Parallels Alternatives (2026): 10 Options Compared

Parallels is the name most Mac owners know for running Windows, but it's one answer to a question with three. Do you need a whole second operating system, one stubborn Windows app, or a Windows desktop you can reach from any device?

Parallels itself isn't in this list. The ten alternatives below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and each description comes from the developer's own website, read as of Nov 2026.

Parallels alternatives by kind

Tool	Type	Good for
Azure Virtual Desktop	Cloud desktop service	Windows desktops for a whole team
CrossOver	Windows compatibility layer	Windows apps on a Mac without Windows
Multipass	Lightweight VM tool	Quick virtual machines on any desktop
OrbStack	Docker and Linux for Mac	Containers and Linux machines on Apple silicon
Shells	Personal cloud computer	A cloud desktop on any device
Tart	macOS and Linux VM toolset	Scripted macOS VMs for build pipelines
UTM	Free, open-source VM app	Windows, Linux and older systems on a Mac
VirtualBox	Open-source virtualisation	General-purpose VMs, now on Arm Macs too
Whisky	Windows game wrapper for macOS	Trying Windows games on macOS
Windows 365	Cloud PC service	A full Windows PC in the cloud

Ten ways to run another system on your Mac

Azure Virtual Desktop

Best for: Organisations that want Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows Server desktops hosted in Azure regions, with multi-session support and Microsoft running the control plane.

CrossOver

Best for: Mac and Linux users who want to run many Windows apps and games without installing Windows, since it translates Windows commands rather than emulating.

Multipass

Best for: Developers who want quick virtual machines on Windows, macOS or Linux from Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu.

OrbStack

Best for: Developers on a Mac who want Docker containers, Kubernetes and Linux machines with low CPU use, Rosetta x86 emulation and a native Swift app.

Shells

Best for: Students, coders and small businesses who want a virtual desktop they can open from a tablet, phone or TV, launched in minutes.

Tart

Best for: Engineering teams running macOS and Linux VMs on Apple silicon for CI/CD, storing VM images in container registries the way they'd store Docker images.

UTM

Best for: Mac owners who want a free, open-source app for running Windows, Linux and macOS VMs on Apple silicon, plus emulation of older systems.

VirtualBox

Best for: Anyone who wants Oracle's general-purpose, open-source virtualisation for laptops, desktops and servers, now with versions for macOS on Arm.

Whisky

Best for: Gamers curious about running Windows games through Apple's Game Porting Toolkit, though its own page now says it's no longer maintained.

Windows 365

Best for: Businesses that want the full Windows experience on a Mac, iPad or Android device through a Cloud PC managed like a physical PC.

A VM on the Mac, Windows apps without Windows, or a PC in the cloud

Reading the developer pages, the split is clear. Some run a full virtual machine on your Mac. UTM is 'Virtual machines on Apple devices', VirtualBox is Oracle's open-source virtualisation software, Tart is a 'Toolset to build, run and manage macOS and Linux VMs', and Multipass is Canonical's tool for quick VMs. OrbStack sits close by as 'Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux' for developers.

Others skip Windows altogether. CrossOver says it lets you 'Run Microsoft Windows software on Mac and Linux' by translating Windows commands, and Whisky's title is 'Run Modern Windows Games on macOS'.

The third group runs Windows somewhere else and streams it to you. Windows 365 is a 'Secure Cloud PC', Azure Virtual Desktop serves Windows desktops from Microsoft's cloud regions, and Shells says 'Your Computer in the Cloud'. That's the choice most people skip: you run a virtual machine on the Mac, you run Windows apps without Windows, or Windows runs on someone else's hardware and you stream it. Each one asks different things of your Mac and your internet connection.

Which approach fits what you're doing

• You need full Windows, offline. A virtual machine app is the closest match. On an Apple silicon Mac you'll be running the Arm version of Windows, which handles most everyday apps through Microsoft's own emulation.
• You need one Windows app or game. A compatibility layer can run it without a Windows licence or a VM. Not every app works, so check the developer's compatibility list first.
• You need Windows on lots of devices or for a team. A cloud PC puts Windows on Microsoft's servers. You reach it from a Mac, iPad or phone, but you'll need a steady internet connection.
• You're a developer. Container and Linux tools, or scriptable VM toolsets, may suit you better than a full desktop VM.
• You want old systems. Emulation lets you run older operating systems built for other processors, though more slowly than virtualisation.

Apple silicon changes the question

On older Intel Macs, a VM could run the standard x86 version of Windows directly. Apple silicon Macs use Arm chips, so a VM there runs Windows for Arm, and anything built only for Intel needs emulation. Games with anti-cheat software and specialist apps that need their own drivers are the most likely to struggle, whichever route you choose.

If games are the reason you're looking, my guide to Steam games that won't start on Windows covers the fixes on the Windows side too.

Five questions before you switch

1. Do I need all of Windows, or only one or two apps?
2. Is my Mac Intel or Apple silicon?
3. Will I be offline sometimes, or always connected?
4. Do the apps I rely on need special drivers or anti-cheat?
5. Is this for me alone, or for a team that needs central management?

Do you make a virtual machine, compatibility or cloud PC tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My advice if you're leaving Parallels

List the Windows apps you can't do without before you choose anything. If it's one or two programs, try a compatibility layer first, because it's the lightest option and needs no Windows licence. If you need full Windows offline, a VM app is the closest replacement, and a free open-source one is a sensible place to start. If you're managing Windows for a team or need it on tablets and phones, a cloud PC moves the work off your Mac entirely. Test your most important app before you uninstall anything.

Using a Mac for work from home? My piece on work from home jobs for Apple owners and my guide to fixing Steam games that won't run on Windows are worth a look.

Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free alternative to Parallels?

Yes. Some of the virtual machine apps on this list are free and open source, according to their own sites. Check that the one you choose supports your Mac's chip and the system you want to run.

Can I run Windows on an Apple silicon Mac without Parallels?

Yes. Other virtual machine apps can run the Arm version of Windows on Apple silicon, compatibility layers can run some Windows apps without Windows, and cloud PCs stream Windows from Microsoft's servers.

What is a compatibility layer?

It's software that translates Windows commands into ones macOS or Linux understands, so a Windows program runs without installing Windows. It's lighter than a VM, but not every app works.

What is a cloud PC?

It's a Windows computer that runs in a data centre. You connect to it from your own device through an app or browser, so it works on a Mac, iPad or phone, but it needs a steady connection.

Can I play Windows games on a Mac?

Some, yes, through compatibility layers or a VM. Games with anti-cheat software often won't run, so check the game's compatibility before you buy anything.

Do I need a Windows licence to run Windows in a VM?

Microsoft expects a valid licence for Windows running in a virtual machine. Compatibility layers don't install Windows, so they don't need one.