Best Windows Emulator for Mac (7 Free & Paid Options)

If you’ve purchased a new MacBook and you’re not comfortable with the controls yet. You can dual-boot using either a Windows OS or a Linux OS. For this post, we’ll go through the best Windows emulator for Mac that works with your MacBook, regardless of the brand you might own.

Why Windows Emulators?

There are numerous reasons to emulate your Windows OS on your MacOS. The most popular reasons are:

• To make the system capable to run gemes (MacOS doesn’t work with games running).
• You should be able to run programs that can only run in conjunction with the Windows OS.
• The previous system you had was Windows OS, and you want to get familiar with your new system without getting overwhelmed.

Before, Mac processors weren’t made using Intel products. Instead, they were manufactured using Apple Silicon. This meant that it was not compatible with the Windows OS, and emulating it was nearly impossible. However, current MacBook processors run Intel-manufactured devices identical to Windows OS processors ( AMD/Ryzen, too, depending on the model you own). Therefore, it’s possible to dual-boot simultaneously MacOS and Windows OS or even emulate Windows OS in MacOS.

Best Windows Emulator for Mac

There are paid and free Windows emulators for Mac to pick from. Most paid emulators provide improved workflows, and their software is reliable. However, if you’re not willing to pay for this, you’re totally fine! If you’re searching for a free Windows emulator for Mac, there’s something to suit all.

1. Parallels

It’s a paid software emulator that allows you download the Windows OS onto your MacBook. It lets you run both OS in tandem. This enables you to use both features that work on macOS and Windows OS at the same time without compromising either.

It also lets you play games and boot with the Windows OS. Since it’s local within the storage of your MacBook and doesn’t depend on internet-connected networks for the process. The installation process is simple. Just install the program on your MacBook and then run it. It is also compatible with Windows 10 and 11. It allows for file transfer through drag and drop to switch between the two operating systems. Are you searching for the most effective Windows emulators? This could be the answer for you!

Pros

• Excellent performance on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
• Seamless macOS–Windows integration (drag & drop, shared clipboard)
• Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11
• Best option for gaming and professional apps

Cons

• Paid subscription required
• Uses significant system resources on low-RAM Macs

Also read: 10 Best Android Emulators for Gaming and App Testing

2. VMWare Fusion

It’s the most expensive Windows emulator for Mac. It offers the Virtual Machine (VM) of the Windows OS, and since it is virtualized, it allows you to download and install multiple instances of Windows OS on your system. In addition to Windows OS, it also offers support for other OS like Linux OS and many more. It’s very easy to install Windows OS from a virtual drive onto a hard drive on your Mac.

They are among the most affordable options that you can install and download a Windows emulator, and include the top Windows emulators. The process is simple and well explained to you in a step-by-step method.

Pros

• Supports Windows, Linux, and multiple virtual machines
• Free version available for personal use
• Strong security and snapshot features
• Compatible with Apple Silicon

Cons

• Gaming performance is weaker than Parallels
• The interface is less beginner-friendly

3. VirtualBox

It’s a free Windows emulator for Mac that allows you to use Windows 10 virtually. Additionally, it does not offer an actual Windows system. Instead, you’ll need to get a Windows 10 ISO file from the online. VirtualBox provides users with an empty display from which they can add the Windows 10 ISO file.

The procedure is simple. You just need to follow the steps and then download VirtualBox to your Mac.

Pros

• Completely free and open-source
• Supports Windows 10 via ISO file
• Lightweight for basic virtualization needs

Cons

• No official Apple Silicon support
• Slower performance and limited graphics acceleration
• Manual configuration required

4. WineHQ

It’s an open-source, free Windows emulator for macOS that is very popular with older versions of Windows. In contrast to earlier versions, Wine doesn’t download the Windows OS to your system. Instead, it functions as a middleman and makes API calls based on certain compatibility standards. It uses its Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) to simulate Microsoft’s Windows OS virtually.

This eliminates the necessity to download a Windows OS, which has the effect of overloading memory and slowing the performance of applications to a crawl. It is a limitation because Wine is not compatible with Apple Silicon OS for M1, M2, or M3 users.

Pros

• Free and open-source
• No need to install Windows OS
• Fast for supported lightweight applications

Cons

• Limited app and game compatibility
• Setup can be complex for beginners
• Inconsistent support on Apple Silicon Macs

5. WineSkin (Free)

It’s a different free Windows emulator online, through which you can download the emulator and then boot into the Windows system. However, it does not have a website that is specifically designed for it and must be downloaded from a third-party site. Beware.

Pros

• Free solution for running Windows apps
• Creates standalone macOS app wrappers
• No full Windows installation required

Cons

• No official website or active maintenance
• Requires technical knowledge
• Security risks from third-party downloads

6. WineBottler

One of the most interesting aspects of this Windows emulator for Mac is that it does not completely download the Windows operating system to your MacBook. Instead, it downloads an instance of Windows that you can run Windows-based software within your MacOS without having to worry about compatibility concerns. If you just need to run Windows-based apps without installing Windows OS, or you want to reduce space on your computer, WineBottler is your best option.

Pros

• Free and easy to use
• Runs individual Windows apps without the Windows OS
• Saves storage space

Cons

• Limited compatibility with modern apps
• Not suitable for games or heavy software
• Updates are infrequent

Also read: Pokémon Emulator for iPhone: 4 Best iOS Apps to Play Now (2025)

7. Boot Camp

Officially introduced in the Apple business, this program will require you to run MacOS using just Intel components. Therefore, if you just own the Apple Silicon, unfortunately, you’ll have to look at other options as mentioned earlier. Their website contains separate files for various versions of MacBooks, such as Air and Pro.

However, you can install Windows 10 in this manner so that you cannot use both OS simultaneously. You can only run one simultaneously. The most effective Windows Emulators provide a variety of options to run Windows on various platforms.

Pros

• Native Windows performance
• Best choice for high-end gaming on Intel Macs
• Official Apple-supported tool

Cons

• Not supported on Apple Silicon Macs
• Cannot run macOS and Windows simultaneously
• Requires a system reboot to switch OS

Conclusion

The article will discuss the seven best Windows emulator for Mac that you can download. We’ve discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each emulator. This will help you make the right choice that meets your specific needs and circumstances. Be sure to go through each of the requirements and find the best Windows emulator for Mac that meets your requirements.

FAQs: Windows Emulator for Mac