Crosswire runs Windows games and apps on macOS. Users install a Windows .exe, then launch it from a searchable library; each installation has an isolated space. During setup, Crosswire detects common Windows runtimes such as Visual C++ and .NET and offers to install them. For games it recognizes, it applies known-good settings automatically. It can check for updates to its Windows compatibility layer, with automatic releases available on version 1.1.1 or later. Crosswire is free and open source under GPL-3.0, with its source published on GitHub. It requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14.6 or later and about 1 GB of free disk space for the base install. It is not Apple-notarized yet, so macOS requires users to confirm opening it in Privacy & Security. Compatibility varies by app version and macOS release. Microsoft 365 is unsupported, and League of Legends and Valorant are blocked by Vanguard.
Who it is for
Crosswire is for people who want to run Windows games or apps on Apple Silicon Macs with macOS 14.6 or later. Its stated compatibility limits make it important to check whether the intended app is supported.
What is good
- Free and open source under GPL-3.0.
- Keeps each app installation in its own isolated space.
- Detects common Windows runtimes during installation.
- Applies settings automatically for recognized games.
- Installed apps are searchable in a library.
What to know first
- Requires an Apple Silicon Mac.
- Requires macOS 14.6 or later.
- Not Apple-notarized; opening requires confirmation in Privacy & Security.
- Microsoft 365 is unsupported; two games are blocked by Vanguard.
Verdict
Crosswire offers a free way to organize and launch Windows apps on supported Apple Silicon Macs. Its system requirements, notarization prompt and app-specific compatibility limits are worth checking first.
Get started with Crosswire
- Visit https://grubwire.io/crosswire/.
- Install Crosswire on an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14.6 or later.
- Allow macOS to open Crosswire in Privacy & Security.
- Install a Windows .exe and use the searchable library to launch it.
- Consult the maker's wiki for troubleshooting.
What the free plan stops at
Crosswire requires macOS 14.6 or later on Apple Silicon and about 1 GB of free disk space for its base installation. Compatibility varies by app version and macOS release; Microsoft 365 is unsupported, and Vanguard blocks League of Legends and Valorant.
Questions about Crosswire
Does Crosswire cost anything?
No. Crosswire is free and open source under GPL-3.0.
Which Macs can run Crosswire?
It requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14.6 or later.
How do I install Windows apps?
Install a Windows .exe; Crosswire puts installed apps in a searchable library for launching.
Does Crosswire install Windows runtimes?
During installation, it detects common runtimes such as Visual C++ and .NET and offers to install them.
Is Crosswire open source?
Yes. It uses the GPL-3.0 license, and its source is published on GitHub.
Are all Windows apps and games compatible?
No. Compatibility varies by app version and macOS release. Microsoft 365 is unsupported, and Vanguard blocks League of Legends and Valorant.
Crosswire plans and pricing
All plansCompared on Windows compatibility layers
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Compatibility database
- Yes
- Prefix management
- Yes
