Parallels Desktop AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Compatibility Layer Tools for Mac

There are many alternatives to Parallels Desktop for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac Compatibility Layer Tool alternative is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Parallels Desktop and four of them are Compatibility Layer Tools available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac Compatibility Layer Tool alternatives to Parallels Desktop are CrossOver, Porting Kit and Karton.

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Parallels Desktop alternatives are mainly Virtualization Tools but may also be Compatibility Layer Tools or Remote Desktop Tools.  Other popular filters includes Mac + Open Source and Mac + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Parallels Desktop.
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Virtualization tool enabling seamless operation of Windows and Linux on Mac. Support for Windows 11 on Apple Silicon with resource customization.

More about Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop alternatives page was last updated Oct 12, 2024
  1. Wine icon
     703 likes

    An advanced, free open-source tool enabling Windows applications to run on Linux and other systems without emulation. It offers configuration options, supports diverse operating systems, and benefits from continuous updates and robust community support to enhance Windows app compatibility.

    41 Wine alternatives
    Wine screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    2.  Compatibility Layer
    3.  Emulation
    4.  Ad-free
    Wine iconParallels Desktop Icon

    Wine VS Parallels Desktop

    Is Wine a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?
     
    • Most users think Wine is a great Parallels Desktop alternative.

    • Wine is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Parallels Desktop.

    • Wine is Free and Open SourceParallels Desktop is Paid and Proprietary
    • Wine is LightweightParallels Desktop is not according to our users
  2. CrossOver icon
     71 likes

    CrossOver allows you to install many popular Windows applications and games on your Intel OS X Mac or Linux computer.

    40 CrossOver alternatives
    CrossOver screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Chrome OS

    CrossOver Features

    1.  Compatibility Layer
    2.  Run Windows software
    CrossOver iconParallels Desktop Icon

    CrossOver VS Parallels Desktop

    Is CrossOver a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?
     
    • Some users think CrossOver is a great Parallels Desktop alternative, some don't.

    • CrossOver is the most popular commercial alternative to Parallels Desktop.

    • CrossOver is Paid and ProprietaryParallels Desktop is also Paid and Proprietary
  3. Porting Kit icon
     13 likes

    Using Wineskin technology, Porting Kit is a PaulTheTall.com app that can install games and apps compiled for Microsoft Windows® in Mac OS X. It has access to a server where we store WSI files for more than 300 games, which can be installed by any Porting Kit user.

    29 Porting Kit alternatives
    Skyrim on Porting Kit

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Porting Kit Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    Porting Kit iconParallels Desktop Icon

    Porting Kit VS Parallels Desktop

    Is Porting Kit a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?
     
  4. Karton icon
     3 likes

    Run Linux programs on macOS, a different Linux distro, or a different architecture.

    22 Karton alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    Karton iconParallels Desktop Icon

    Karton VS Parallels Desktop

    Is Karton a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?
     
4 of 4 Parallels Desktop alternatives