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Tech riderRev. 3 Oct 2026

Crosswire

Ch 096.7of 25 Windows Compatibility Layers
  1. 1Runs onMac
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3macOS supportYes
  4. 4Linux supportNo
  5. 5Apple silicon supportYes
  6. 6Compatibility databaseYes
  7. 7Prefix managementYes
7 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: grubwire.io
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Overview

Crosswire is ranked #9 of 25 in Windows compatibility layers on Specifiction. It runs on macOS. There is a free plan.

Crosswire plans and pricing

All plans
Crosswire Free Free and open source under GPL-3.0 grubwire.io · 3 Oct 2026

Compared 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

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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Sources