Other Options

Heroic Games Launcher application icon

Heroic Games Launcher

Free Apple Silicon Intel Electron-based Get Heroic Website
Mythic application icon

Mythic

Free Apple Silicon Intel
Swift-based Alpha Release Get Mythic Website

Outdated Software

Whisky application icon

Whisky

Warning iconNo Longer Maintained
Free Apple Silicon Swift-based Get WhiskyWine Website
PlayOnMac application icon

PlayOnMac

Warning iconNo Longer Maintained
Free Intel Apple Silicon Get PlayOnMac Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but with some limitations. CrossOver and Kegworks both support Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2 translation. Some apps like Whisky (now discontinued) and newer tools are built natively for Apple Silicon using Apple's Game Porting Toolkit. Performance varies depending on the specific Windows application and the compatibility layer used.

Yes, many Steam games work well through WINE-based solutions. CrossOver has excellent Steam support with pre-configured bottles for popular games like Diablo IV. Heroic Games Launcher is specifically designed for gaming and supports Epic Games Store and GOG. Performance depends on the specific game and your Mac's hardware.

WINE is a compatibility layer that translates Windows API calls to macOS equivalents without requiring a Windows license. Virtualization (Parallels, VMware) runs a complete Windows operating system inside a virtual machine, requiring a Windows license. WINE typically uses fewer resources but has more compatibility limitations.

CrossOver offers professional support, regular updates, and pre-configured software bottles that work out of the box. Free alternatives like Kegworks require more technical knowledge but offer greater flexibility. Choose CrossOver if you want ease of use and support; choose free options if you enjoy tinkering and want more control.

No! WINE stands for "Wine Is Not an Emulator" and works by translating Windows system calls to macOS equivalents. You don't need a Windows license or installation. However, you may need to install Windows fonts and some system libraries for certain applications to work properly.

Whisky was discontinued in April 2025 by its developer. While it was a popular free option for Apple Silicon Macs with an excellent SwiftUI interface, development challenges and the availability of other mature alternatives led to its discontinuation. Users are encouraged to migrate to CrossOver or Kegworks.

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