Parallels Desktop has been the go-to way to run Windows on a Mac for years, but it's not the only option, and for some people it's not even the cheapest or most practical one.
Whether you're trying to avoid another annual subscription, you only need Windows occasionally, or your Mac runs Apple Silicon and you want something that plays nicer with it, there's a real alternative out there for almost every use case.
This guide walks through the strongest Parallels Desktop alternatives available right now, what each one actually costs, and who should pick which tool.
Why People Look for a Parallels Alternative
Parallels Desktop Standard runs $99.99 a year as a subscription, or $129.99 to $219.99 for a one-time perpetual license depending on where you buy it, and Windows itself isn't included in that price.
Pro and Business editions push the annual cost higher still, up to $119.99 and $149.99 a year.
That adds up over a few years, and it's the main reason people start shopping around, even though Parallels remains the most polished option for tight macOS integration.
Beyond cost, some users simply don't need everything Parallels offers. If you only need one Windows app now and then, a full virtual machine can be overkill.
If you're already comfortable with open-source tools, paying for something free tools already handle isn't appealing. That's where the alternatives below come in.
1. VMware Fusion: The Closest Free Match
VMware Fusion is the most direct like-for-like replacement for Parallels, and the biggest news is that it's now free for both personal and commercial use.
On Apple Silicon Macs, it runs Windows on ARM the same way Parallels does, and it includes solid Metal-accelerated graphics support.
Best for: Anyone who wants a full local virtual machine without paying a subscription and doesn't mind that Apple Silicon Macs run Windows on ARM rather than full x86 Windows.
Trade-off: Setup takes more manual configuration than Parallels, and support is community-based rather than the phone and email support Parallels includes.
2. UTM: Free and Open Source, Built for Apple Silicon
UTM is a free, open-source virtualization app designed with Apple Silicon in mind from the start.
It can run Windows on ARM, Linux, and even older versions of macOS, and it uses Apple's own virtualization framework under the hood for solid performance.
Best for: Developers and hobbyists who want a no-cost tool and are comfortable with a bit more hands-on setup than a commercial product offers.
Trade-off: The interface is less polished than Parallels or VMware Fusion, and getting the smoothest experience sometimes takes some trial and error with configuration settings.
3. VirtualBox: Free, But Mostly for Intel Macs
VirtualBox has been a long-standing free alternative to Parallels, and current releases do support Arm64 guest systems on Apple Silicon, including Windows 11.
That distinction matters because Microsoft's Windows 11 Arm guidance confirms that Arm64 Windows can be used to create virtual machines on Apple Silicon Macs, while also noting that the available options and limitations depend on the hardware and virtualization setup.
That said, it still performs best on Intel Macs, where it has years of maturity behind it.
Best for: Intel Mac owners who want a completely free, open-source virtualization tool for testing or cross-platform development.
Trade-off: If you're on Apple Silicon, performance and stability still lag behind Parallels, VMware Fusion, and UTM.
4. CrossOver: Skip the Virtual Machine Entirely
CrossOver takes a different approach. Instead of running a full Windows virtual machine, it lets you run individual Windows applications directly on macOS, without installing Windows at all.
If you only need one or two specific programs, this can be faster and lighter than any full VM solution.
Best for: Users who need a handful of specific Windows apps rather than a complete Windows desktop experience.
Trade-off: Not every Windows application is compatible, and compatibility varies by app and version, so it's worth checking CrossOver's compatibility database before relying on it for anything mission-critical.
5. Windows 365 or a Cloud PC: No Local Virtual Machine at All
Instead of virtualizing Windows locally, Microsoft's Windows 365 and other cloud PC services stream a full Windows desktop to your Mac over the internet.
This sidesteps Apple Silicon compatibility questions entirely, since the actual computing happens on remote hardware.
Pay-per-use options in this category are worth a look if you need genuine x86 Windows with real GPU access, rather than the Windows-on-ARM experience most local Apple Silicon virtual machines provide.
Best for: Users who need true x86 Windows performance without buying and licensing local virtualization software, or teams that want centralized management across many devices.
Trade-off: Requires a steady internet connection, and ongoing usage costs can add up depending on how many hours you spend in the cloud desktop each month.
6. Boot Camp Assistant: No Longer an Option on Newer Macs
For years, Boot Camp let Intel Mac owners install Windows directly on a separate partition, with no virtualization overhead at all.
Apple's Boot Camp guidance confirms that Boot Camp is designed for Intel-based Macs, making the distinction between Intel and Apple Silicon especially important when choosing a Windows solution.
Best for: Intel Mac owners who want native Windows performance and don't need to run macOS and Windows at the same time.
Trade-off: Not available on any Apple Silicon Mac, and Apple has given no indication that it plans to bring it back.
7. Sticking With Parallels, But Paying Less For It
For a lot of people, none of the alternatives above quite match what Parallels Desktop does, especially Coherence mode, snapshot management, and its two-click Windows install process.
If that describes you, the better move might not be switching tools at all, just paying less for the one you already use.
Parallels regularly runs promotional pricing throughout the year, including student and educator discounts and seasonal sales.
If you're a student, the 50% off Parallels student discount is worth checking before you pay full price for a Standard or Pro license.
Parallels Desktop Alternatives Compared
| Tool | Cost | Apple Silicon Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware Fusion | Free | Yes (Windows on ARM) | Direct Parallels replacement |
| UTM | Free | Yes, built for it | Developers and tinkerers |
| VirtualBox | Free | Limited | Intel Mac users |
| CrossOver | Paid, one-time or subscription | Yes | Running specific Windows apps only |
| Windows 365 / Cloud PC | Pay-per-use or subscription | N/A (cloud-based) | Real x86 Windows, no local install |
| Boot Camp | Free (Intel Macs only) | No | Older Intel Macs |
| Parallels Desktop (discounted) | From $99.99/year, less with a coupon | Yes | Users who want the most polished experience |
How to Choose the Right Option
Start with what you actually need Windows for. If it's one or two specific applications, CrossOver will likely save you the most hassle.
Your best choice depends on your Mac model, the Windows apps you need, and how often you plan to use Windows.
Free options such as VMware Fusion and UTM can work well if you are comfortable with a little setup and troubleshooting.
If you want a smoother experience with broader Windows compatibility, Parallels Desktop remains a strong option.
Before subscribing, it is worth comparing current offers, including Parallels Black Friday deals, to see whether a seasonal promotion can lower the overall cost.
According to Macworld's 2026 comparison of virtual machine software for Mac, Parallels remains the strongest all-around pick for seamless macOS integration, while UTM and VMware Fusion are considered the most capable free alternatives for users willing to handle a bit more setup.
A separate hands-on comparison from Vagon reached a similar conclusion, pointing to VMware Fusion as the best free local option and cloud PC services as the best route when real x86 Windows performance matters more than cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a completely free alternative to Parallels Desktop?
Yes. VMware Fusion is now free for both personal and commercial use, and UTM and VirtualBox are open-source and free as well. All three run on Apple Silicon Macs, though with varying levels of polish and performance.
Do free alternatives run Windows as well as Parallels does?
For most everyday tasks, yes. Parallels tends to offer smoother macOS integration features, like Coherence mode and simpler setup, while free tools usually require more manual configuration to reach a similar experience.
Can I run Windows on a Mac without installing a virtual machine at all?
Yes. CrossOver runs individual Windows applications without installing Windows, and cloud PC services like Windows 365 stream a full Windows desktop from remote servers instead of running locally.
Is it cheaper to just buy a discounted Parallels license instead of switching tools?
It can be. Between student pricing and seasonal sales, a discounted Parallels subscription or perpetual license sometimes costs about the same as a year of a paid alternative, while keeping the smoother setup experience Parallels is known for.