Crosswire
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Mac
Summary
Crosswire runs Windows games and apps on macOS, letting users install a Windows .exe and launch it from a searchable library. Each installation has its own isolated space, which keeps apps separate. 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 and update its Windows compatibility layer, and automatic releases are 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 installation. The software 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, while League of Legends and Valorant are blocked by Vanguard.
Who it is for
Crosswire suits Apple Silicon Mac users on macOS 14.6 or later who want to run compatible Windows games or apps. It may appeal to people comfortable confirming an app opening in macOS Privacy & Security.
What is good
- Free and open source under GPL-3.0
- Isolated space for each installation
- Searchable library for installed apps
- Detects common Windows runtimes during installation
What to know first
- Requires Apple Silicon and macOS 14.6 or later
- Not Apple-notarized yet
- Microsoft 365 is unsupported
- League of Legends and Valorant are blocked by Vanguard
Verdict
Crosswire offers a free way to manage Windows app installations on supported Apple Silicon Macs. Compatibility varies, and its system requirements and lack of notarization are important to check first.
Crosswire plans and pricing
All plansCompared on Windows compatibility layers
- Free plan
- Yesgrubwire.io
- macOS support
- Yesgrubwire.io
- Linux support
- Nogrubwire.io
- Apple silicon support
- Yesgrubwire.io
- Compatibility database
- Yesgrubwire.io
- Prefix management
- Yesgrubwire.io
Facts
- Purpose
- Crosswire runs Windows games and apps on macOS; users can install a Windows .exe and launch it from a library.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Isolated installs
- Each install gets its own isolated space so apps do not interfere with one another.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- App library
- Installed apps appear by name in a searchable library and launch with a click.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Runtime support
- During installation Crosswire detects common Windows runtimes such as Visual C++ and .NET and offers to install them.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Game configuration
- For recognized games, Crosswire applies known-good settings automatically.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Updates
- Crosswire can check for and update its Windows compatibility layer, and releases arrive automatically on version 1.1.1 or later.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Crosswire requires macOS 14.6 or later and an Apple Silicon Mac, with about 1 GB of free disk space for the base install.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Security and signing
- Crosswire is not Apple-notarized yet, so macOS requires users to confirm opening it in Privacy & Security.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- License and source
- Crosswire is free and open source under GPL-3.0, with source published on GitHub.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to its wiki for troubleshooting and provides an email address for bugs and feedback.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limits
- The maker says compatibility varies by app version and macOS release, Microsoft 365 is unsupported, and League of Legends and Valorant are blocked by Vanguard.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- The maker describes Crosswire for running Windows games and apps on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 14.6 Sonoma or later.grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026
Best Crosswire alternatives
See all 20
Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi
Is Crosswire yours?
Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.
Sources
- grubwire.io/crosswire/· checked 3 Oct 2026
- grubwire.io/crosswire/compatibility/· checked 3 Oct 2026