CrossOver
CrossOver translates Windows application commands so many Windows programs can run on macOS and Linux without a Windows emulator or Windows OS license.
What CrossOver is
CrossOver translates Windows application commands so many Windows programs can run on macOS and Linux without a Windows emulator or Windows OS license. It is presented for productivity software, utility programs, and games, with advertised one-click installation, desktop integration, and running applications without rebooting. CodeWeavers says the Linux version avoids the overhead of Windows or a virtual machine and runs apps at native speed while integrating with Linux. Compatibility is incomplete: some Windows applications may have reduced functionality or may not run at all. CodeWeavers maintains a Compatibility Center with user reports about how applications run. The fully functional trial lasts 14 days, requires no credit card, and begins when CrossOver is first launched. CrossOver + costs $74 a year and includes 12 months of email and phone support, upgrades and bug fixes for that term, and CrossOver Preview access. CrossOver Life costs $494, paid once, with no renewal fees, lifetime upgrades and bug fixes, and unlimited email and phone support for life. The Mac version runs on Intel or Apple Silicon Macs, but not iPads or iPhones; Linux has specific hardware, distribution, and software requirements.
Good
- Runs many Windows programs on macOS and Linux.
- Does not require a Windows OS license or emulator.
- The 14-day trial is fully functional and needs no credit card.
- Supports Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
Watch out
- Some applications may have reduced functionality or fail to run.
- Does not run on iPads or iPhones.
- Linux requires an x86-compatible PC and listed dependencies.
- The full version is paid after the 14-day trial.
Who it suits
It may suit Mac or Linux users who want to run supported Windows applications, including productivity software, utilities, or games. Readers should check compatibility reports and platform requirements before choosing it.
Verdict
CrossOver offers a way to run many Windows applications on Mac and Linux, but compatibility varies by application. Its free, fully functional trial lasts 14 days; paid plans include different support and upgrade terms.
Plans and prices
From CrossOver's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| CrossOver Free | Free | Fully functional trial · installed Windows applications are disabled after 14 days · 14-day trial |
| CrossOver Free (14 Day Trial) | Free | Free fully functional 14-day trial |
| CrossOver + | $74 a year | Full version · email and phone support for 12 months · upgrades and bug fixes for 12 months · Preview access · 12 months support |
| CrossOver + (12 Months Support) | $74 a year | Full version · email and phone support for 12 months · upgrades and bug fixes for 12 months · CrossOver Preview access · 12 months |
| CrossOver Life | $494, paid once | Full version · no renewal fees · unlimited email and phone support · lifetime upgrades and bug fixes · Preview access · lifetime support |
| CrossOver Life (Lifetime Support) | $494, paid once | Full version · unlimited email and phone support · lifetime upgrades and bug fixes · CrossOver Preview access · No renewal fees |
The facts
Each one read from CrossOver's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Android availability
- CodeWeavers announced that it stopped supporting the old Google Play CrossOver Android beta and directed Chromebook users to the Linux-based product instead.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Application installer
- For listed applications, CrossOver can download installers and required dependencies automatically when those files are freely available online.checked 15 Oct 2026
- App types
- The product is presented for productivity software, utility programs, and games.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Linux performance
- CodeWeavers says CrossOver Linux avoids the overhead of a Windows operating system or virtual machine and runs apps at native speed while maintaining Linux OS integration.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Linux requirements
- The Linux requirements include an x86-compatible 64-bit PC, glibc at least 2.31, Python at least 3.5, GTK at least 3.18, PyGObject at least 3.20, X.Org with XRender and GLX, and 1 GB of disk space.checked 15 Oct 2026
- macOS requirements
- The current Mac guide requires an Intel or Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 10.15 or later and at least 1 GB of disk space.checked 15 Oct 2026
What it does
- Bottle environments
- CrossOver places applications in separate bottles containing a Windows-style C: drive, fonts, registry, and program files.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Command-line access
- The Mac guide documents opening a bottle shell with Wine environment variables and running Windows executables through the wine command.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Compatibility database
- CodeWeavers maintains a compatibility center with application-specific ratings, installation recipes, and user-submitted testing information.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limits
- The maker says CrossOver is not complete, so some Windows applications may have reduced functionality or may not run at all.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Documentation depth
- The support site provides Mac and Linux user guides, troubleshooting, changelogs, compatibility resources, forums, and extensive CrossTie profile documentation.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- CrossTie documentation covers installer profiles, file and application profiles, pre-installation, installation, post-installation, CD, advanced options, examples, and data types.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Gaming support
- CrossOver 26 includes Wine 11, D3DMetal 3.0, DXMT updates, and fixes for numerous current Windows games.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Graphics backends
- The Mac guide documents selectable Wine, DXVK, D3DMetal, DXMT, and high-resolution graphics modes, plus DLSS through MetalFX.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Install and run
- The maker advertises one-click installation, running Windows applications without rebooting, and desktop integration.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Licence model
- CrossOver is proprietary commercial software; its EULA permits one person per license at a time and restricts reverse engineering, renting, lending, and derivative works.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: compatibility
- G2 reviewers report that many applications fail, work only partially, or behave oddly, especially when the underlying Wine support is incomplete.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: documentation and troubleshooting
- One G2 reviewer reports difficult shared-folder setup on newer Linux distributions and says troubleshooting information is hard to locate.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Company headquarters and size
- LinkedIn lists CodeWeavers headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, with 51–200 employees and a 1996 founding year.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- Crunchbase identifies the legal entity as CodeWeavers, Inc., a private for-profit company founded by Jeremy White.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1996checked 23 Sep 2026
- Funding and ownership
- Crunchbase lists CodeWeavers as private and shows no disclosed funding total or completed funding rounds on the accessible profile.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- St. Paul, Minnesota, USAchecked 23 Sep 2026
Money
- Limit: upgrade cost
- Multiple G2 reviews criticize paying again for newer versions or features and describe upgrade pricing as expensive relative to Windows or Office licenses.checked 15 Oct 2026