CrossOver vs Parallels Desktop : Which is Better?

CrossOver

CrossOver is a Microsoft Windows compatibility layer available for macOS and Linux. This compatibility layer enables many Windows-based applications to run on macOS or Linux operating systems. Developed by CodeWeavers Inc.

License: Commercial

Categories: OS & Utilities

Apps available for Mac OS X Linux

Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop for Mac, by Parallels, is software providing hardware virtualization for Macintosh computers with Intel processors. Developed by Parallels IP Holdings GmbH

License: Commercial

Categories: Network & Admin OS & Utilities

Apps available for Mac OS X

CrossOver VS Parallels Desktop

CrossOver allows users to run Windows applications directly on macOS without the need for a Windows operating system, making it lightweight and faster for certain tasks. In contrast, Parallels Desktop provides a full virtualization environment, allowing users to run multiple operating systems but at the cost of higher resource usage and the requirement of a Windows license.

CrossOver

Pros:

Runs Windows applications natively on macOS without needing a Windows license
Lightweight and faster performance due to no virtual machine overhead
Easy to install and set up, with a simple interface
Offers compatibility with a wide range of Windows applications
No need to restart the Mac to switch between macOS and Windows applications

Cons:

Limited support for some complex Windows applications
Not suitable for running resource-intensive applications or games
No virtual machine functionality means less flexibility in OS management

Parallels Desktop

Pros:

Full-featured virtualization solution that supports running multiple operating systems
Ability to run Windows applications and games in a virtual machine environment
Offers features like Coherence mode for seamless integration with macOS
Supports DirectX 11 for better gaming performance
Regular updates and strong customer support