What are some free or more affordable alternatives to Parallels Desktop for running virtual machines on macOS, specifically for gaming purposes?

General Discussions
1

I’m looking for virtualization tools that can run Windows games on my Mac without the high cost of Parallels Desktop. Ideally, these alternatives should offer good performance and be suitable for gaming.

2

VMware Fusion Player is a robust virtualization tool that allows you to run Windows on your Mac.

It’s free for personal use and offers features like snapshots, drag-and-drop file sharing, and support for DirectX 11. Apporto

Pros:

  • Free for personal use.

  • Supports DirectX 11 for better gaming performance.

  • User-friendly interface.

Cons:

  • May require manual configuration for optimal gaming performance.

  • Lacks some advanced features found in Parallels Desktop.

3

UTM is a free, open-source virtualization tool designed specifically for macOS.

It uses QEMU under the hood and provides a user-friendly interface for creating and managing virtual machines.

UTM

Pros:

  • Completely free and open-source.

  • Supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows.

  • Regularly updated with new features.

Cons:

  • May not offer the same level of performance as Parallels Desktop.

  • Some advanced features may require technical expertise.

4

CrossOver is a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on macOS without the need for a full Windows installation. It’s more affordable than Parallels Desktop and can be a good option for running less demanding games.

Parallels Desktop 10

Pros:

  • More affordable than Parallels Desktop.

  • No need for a full Windows installation.

  • Supports a wide range of Windows applications.

Cons:

  • May not support all games, especially newer or graphically intensive ones.

  • Performance may vary depending on the game.