Compare / Reviewed October 2026
FarDesktop vs CrossOver.
CrossOver takes a different route to the same problem. Built on the open-source Wine project, it lets some Windows programs run directly on macOS with no copy of Windows at all. When it works it is wonderfully light. The question is whether it works for your program.
| CrossOver | FarDesktop | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A compatibility layer that runs some Windows programs on macOS | The real program on a Windows machine, shown in a browser |
| Needs Windows | No | Provided as part of the service |
| Compatibility | Uneven. Some programs work well, some not at all | Runs on real Windows, with limits for heavy graphics and hardware |
| Works offline | Yes | No, it needs a connection |
| Works on tablets and Chromebooks | No, it is for desktop systems | Yes, in a browser |
| Best for | Specific, known-supported programs on a Mac | Programs that must run on real Windows, on any device |
Choose the other if
- Your exact program is on its supported list and works well.
- You want to run it locally and offline on your Mac.
- You are happy to experiment, and to switch tools if it does not behave.
Choose FarDesktop if
- Your program does not run under a compatibility layer, or you cannot afford it to misbehave.
- You need it on an iPad, a Chromebook or a borrowed computer.
- A vendor requires the real thing on real Windows.
Compatibility is the whole story
Reviews of CrossOver say the same thing again and again: results range from excellent to nothing at all. CodeWeavers maintains a database of software it has tested, which is the right place to start. Check your exact program and version, and read the notes, before you pay or plan around it.
Try the cheap thing first
If your program is listed as working, a compatibility layer is a good first attempt. If it is not, or if it has to be supported by the vendor, running the real program on Windows removes the gamble and is the sensible step.
Sources, reviewed October 2026
We make FarDesktop. Products change, so check the vendor's own pages before you decide.
Questions people ask.
Is CrossOver the same as a virtual machine?
No. It does not run Windows. It translates a program's requests so it can run on macOS.
Will my program work with it?
Only the compatibility database can tell you. Check your exact program and version.
Can I try both?
Yes. Try the compatibility tool first if your program is listed, and stream it if it is not.
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