Top 5 FREE Windows Emulators for Intel & Apple Silicon Macs

There are times when running Windows on a Mac becomes unavoidable. For example, many popular programs are Windows-only, and developers often require a Windows environment for software development, testing, or compatibility checks. In these situations, macOS alone may not be enough to get the job done.

A smart solution is to use a Windows virtual machine on your Mac, which lets you run Windows or Windows apps directly on your Mac without switching devices. Although premium tools like Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are well known for running Windows on Macs, they require paid subscriptions.

If you are looking for a free Windows emulator for Mac, you are in luck. Several reliable, cost-free tools that let you run a full Windows system or launch individual Windows applications on macOS. In this article, we will introduce the 5 best free Windows emulators for Mac, covering options for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

What is a Windows Emulator for Mac?

macOS and Windows are two completely different operating systems, each with its own system structure and software ecosystem. Because of these differences, programs designed for Windows usually can't run on macOS as they simply aren't compatible.

A Windows emulator works like a translator or a middle layer between the two systems. It helps your Mac "understand" Windows software so those programs can run even though your computer isn't using Windows natively.

Depending on the tool, a Windows emulator can work in two main ways. Some act as compatibility tools, allowing you to run certain Windows apps directly on macOS without installing Windows at all. Others function as virtual machines, creating a virtual PC inside your Mac where a full version of Windows is installed and runs alongside macOS.

Before installing a Windows emulator on Mac:

To be able to function properly, Windows emulators and virtualization tools usually create a separate partition on your Mac's drive. This space is used not only for the tool itself, but also for the Windows system and any Windows applications you plan to install.

Before setting up a Windows emulator on your Mac, it’s a good idea to make sure you free up enough storage. BuhoCleaner is a powerful Mac cleaner that can quickly reclaim space by removing junk files, unused apps, duplicates, and large old files. Click the button below to clear more space for your Mac.

Top 5 FREE Windows Emulators for MacBook Air/Pro

After testing many programs, we have narrowed it down to the top 5 free Windows emulators for Mac for budget-conscious users. Each option comes with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages. Read the reviews below to find the one that best fits your needs.

5 Best Free Tools for Windows Emulation on Mac (Apple Silicon & Intel):

1. VMWare Fusion
2. VirtualBox
3. UTM
4. PlayOnMac
5. Boot Camp

Quick Comparison for Free Windows Emulators for MacBook:

1. VMWare Fusion

VMware Fusion has discontinued its paid version and now offers its full feature set for free, making it the best free Windows emulation tool for Mac. Compared with other options, it feels more polished and beginner-friendly, with a smooth setup and an easy Windows installation process. VMware Fusion creates a virtual Windows system inside macOS, allowing you to run Windows alongside your Mac apps without restarting your computer.

Pros:

• Supports Intel and M-series chips and runs Windows 11 ARM
• Strong hardware support for USB, networking, and peripherals
• Good performance for everyday tasks

Cons:

• Requires a fair amount of RAM and disk space
• Graphics and gaming performance are limited compared to paid tools like Parallels
• Incompatibility issues with some Windows apps

2. VirtualBox for Mac

VirtualBox for Mac is free virtualization software from Oracle that lets you run other operating systems like Windows and Linux on your macOS computer. The setup can be a bit tricky, and the interface feels outdated, but overall, VirtualBox for Mac is a solid choice for anyone looking for a free and reliable way to run full Windows on their Mac.

Pros:

• Free for personal and educational use
• Good support for USB and hardware devices
• Allows you to create a virtual machine to run Windows on your Mac

Cons:

• The interface is not very user-friendly and feels outdated
• Setup and configuration can be confusing for beginners
• Limited or poor support on Apple Silicon Macs

3. UTM for Mac

UTM for Mac is a free, open-source virtualization app that lets you run different operating systems by creating virtual machines on your Mac. In addition to Windows, UTM can run Linux and even older versions of macOS, making it a flexible choice for many use cases. It supports running a full Windows system on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

You can download UTM for free from the developer's website. There is also a $9.99 Mac App Store version, which includes automatic updates.

Pros:

• Supports running Windows 11 ARM on Apple Silicon
• Simple installation, setup, and usage with a clear UI
• Supports a wide range of operating systems on macOS

Cons:

• Slower Windows performance compared to VMware Fusion and VirtualBox
• Limited hardware and device support

4. PlayOnMac

PlayOnMac is a Mac friendly app using Wine that let you run a few Windows programs and don’t want to install the full Windows OS. Similar tools are Wine Bottler and CrossOver, but PlayOnMac stands out for its free use, a guided interface, and the best compatibility with apps. It has no problem running Microsoft Office 2010/2013/2016, and it is the best free Windows emulator for Windows gaming on Mac, such as Warcraft and the Age of Empires.

Pros:

• Runs Windows applications without the need for a Windows license
• Supports a wide range of Windows applications and games

Cons:

• Installation can be complicated for those who are not familiar with command prompts
• Not all Windows apps and games are supported, particularly newer versions

5. Boot Camp Assistant

Boot Camp Assistant is a built-in Apple tool that allows you to install and run Windows on an Intel-based Mac. Using Boot Camp Assistant, you can create a separate Windows partition on your Mac's hard drive and then install Windows directly on it.

You can choose to start your Mac in either Windows or macOS whenever you power it on. With Boot Camp, you can use your Mac just like a regular Windows PC.

Pros:

• Run Windows natively on your Mac
• Offers better speed and stability than virtualization or emulation tools
• Easy to set up and use with Apple's built-in Boot Camp Assistant
• Ideal for gaming, professional software, and hardware-intensive tasks

Cons:

• Only supports Intel-based Macs and does not work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4/M5)
• Requires restarting your Mac every time you switch between Windows and macOS
• Takes up a significant amount of disk space due to the separate Windows partition

Bottom Line

For free Windows emulation on Mac, VMware Fusion and UTM are the top options, thanks to their balance of performance, ease of use, and strong support for Apple Silicon Macs. If you are using an Intel-based Mac and want to run Windows 11 on Mac, VirtualBox is a solid option.

For a lightweight solution focused on gaming or running specific Windows applications, PlayOnMac works especially well. And if you want near-native Windows performance on an Intel Mac, Boot Camp remains the best choice.