CrossOver vs Parallels: Windows Gaming on Mac (2026)
CrossOver – 20% SALE HERE: https://geni.us/crossover-discount (coupon: APPLEGAMINGWIKINEW)
Parallels – 10% DISCOUNT: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1101lfR6V (coupon: APPLEWIKI10)
Quick video demonstrating the differences in playing Windows games on a Mac using CrossOver 26 and Parallels 26 testing out AAA Windows games as well as indie and fan games and seeing which runs games better on the Apple Silicon M-series Macs.
CrossOver 26 tutorial:
CrossOver Preview tutorial:
Parallels 26 tutorial:
Parallels BattlEye anti-cheat tutorial:
BlueStacks tutorial:
PlayCover sideloading tutorial:
Timestamps:
00:00 CrossOver vs Parallels on Mac
00:48 2026: What’s changed?
01:26 How they work: CPU & RAM
03:24 GTA 5 Online, and Anti-cheat (BattlEye)
04:56 FF7 Remake
05:27 Parallels and 32-bit games
05:49 Fallout NV
06:22 Fan and modded games
06:57 Productivity
07:26 Free Trial (14 Days)
07:36 Cost: Parallels vs CrossOver pricing
08:08 CrossOver and Wine project
08:19 Discount links for CrossOver and Parallels
08:45 Summary
► Links:
Master M1 game compatibility list: https://www.applegamingwiki.com/wiki/M1_compatible_games_master_list
Please join me on Discord here: https://discord.gg/28CAAr6SpB
Check out AppleGamingWiki: https://applegamingwiki.com
►► Mac:
Record screen audio and gameplay (Mac): https://youtu.be/i6UewWGWfe0
Set 16:9 aspect ratio (Mac): https://youtu.be/TtKNqoCbOaI
Highlight mouse cursor (Mac): https://youtu.be/jDJECtQO97Y
Display keystrokes (Mac): https://youtu.be/1MRQ9DmxmU0
Snap windows (Rectangle, Mac): https://youtu.be/qUPSnDYJU6A
OBS setup (Mac): https://youtu.be/rpYxhzlaDj8
Temperature/fan monitor (Mac): https://youtu.be/ovnDeHiXnKU
►► General:
Microphone setup (Blue Yeti): https://youtu.be/81DsMgR2Qd4
Greenscreen setup (OBS): https://youtu.be/mO4QhV-1rKo
Note-taking (Notion, Mac): https://youtu.be/DaMPeS8Bet8
Highlight mouse cursor (Windows): https://youtu.be/kM0RgM7TDFc
DIY 2TB SSD USB-C (Mac and Windows): https://youtu.be/43X3Mk5vQK4
Amazon Affiliates Disclosure: Andrew Tsai is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites as well as other affiliate programs.
Device Mockup created from https://deviceframes.com/templates/macbook-pro-m1-14