CrossOver CrossOver
vs
Parallels Desktop Parallels Desktop

This is a side by side comparison of CrossOver and Parallels Desktop. Two products that are similar in nature, yet provide unique feature-sets that are worth taking in to account before making a purchasing decision or start using the software. This page can help you broadly analyze the products and weigh pros and cons against one another. Allowing you scrutinize peoples opinions about CrossOver and Parallels Desktop, before making a decision if any of the products fit your use-case.

What is CrossOver?

With CrossOver you can run Microsoft Windows software on Linux, macOS, and Chrome OS. CrossOver creates a Microsoft Windows compatibility layer making it possible to run games and software only available for Windows. CrossOver is developed by CodeWeavers and based on free and open-source compatibility layer Wine.

How much does CrossOver cost?

No pricing information available..

What platforms does CrossOver support?

CrossOver is available for macOS , Linux and Chrome OS .

Top CrossOver Alternatives

Wine

Wine is a free and open-source compatibility layer that aims to allow application software and computer games developed for Microsoft Windows to run on Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux, macOS, & BSD. Wine began in 1993 under the initial coordination of Bob Amstadt as a way to support running Windows 3.1 programs on Linux. To this day, Wine makes it easy to wrap and install Windows games and software for your favorite Unix system.

Free & Open Source
👍 Most people think Wine is a good alternative to CrossOver.

Lutris

Lutris is a free and open-source, Linux-based operating system developed for gaming. With Lutris you can manage your game library, and install and launch games with no setup. Lutris is integrated with GOG, Steam, Battle.net, Origin, Uplay and many other games stores. The operating system is released under the GNU General Public License and is community built, anyone is free to contribute and use the platform.

Free & Open Source
👍 Most people think Lutris is a good alternative to CrossOver.

PlayOnLinux

PlayOnLinux is an application which allows you to easily install and use numerous games and apps designed to run with Microsoft Windows. As few games are avalible for UNIX-like systems like macOS and Linux, PlayOnLinux playes an important role of allowing people to play games utilizing wine skins. A wrapper around Windows games and software that allow the game to be used on Linux and macOS.

 

Free & Open Source
👍 Most people think PlayOnLinux is a good alternative to CrossOver.

The software Parallels Desktop Parallels Desktop is removed from the Top CrossOver Alternatives since you are comparing against it. If you are looking for more software, applications or projects similar to CrossOver CrossOver we recommend you to check out our full list containing 5 CrossOver Alternatives.

CrossOver Gallery

What is Parallels Desktop?

With Parallels Desktop you can run several other operating systems on your PC simultaneously. The software provides hardware virtualization for Macintosh computers with Intel processors. With ongoing support for DirectX and OpenGL, many popular games and game engines are supported within Parallels Desktop allowing people using make to make use of Microsoft Windows related products.

How much does Parallels Desktop cost?

No pricing information available..

What platforms does Parallels Desktop support?

Parallels Desktop is available for macOS .

Top Parallels Desktop Alternatives

VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a free and open-source hosted hypervisor for x86 virtualization, developed by Oracle. The software is used to create virtual machines that can be used for testing, and building software in virtually contained environments. VirtualBox is available for on macOS, Linux. Windows, Solaris and OpenSolaris.

Free & Open Source

Wine

Wine is a free and open-source compatibility layer that aims to allow application software and computer games developed for Microsoft Windows to run on Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux, macOS, & BSD. Wine began in 1993 under the initial coordination of Bob Amstadt as a way to support running Windows 3.1 programs on Linux. To this day, Wine makes it easy to wrap and install Windows games and software for your favorite Unix system.

Free & Open Source

Porting Kit

Porting Kit is a wineskin technology that allows people to install games and apps for Microsoft Windows on macOS.

Free & Proprietary

The software CrossOver CrossOver is removed from the Top Parallels Desktop Alternatives since you are comparing against it. If you are looking for more software, applications or projects similar to Parallels Desktop Parallels Desktop we recommend you to check out our full list containing 13 Parallels Desktop Alternatives.

Parallels Desktop Gallery