CrossOver vs Porting Kit

CrossOver8.7Visit Porting Kit7.4Visit

Higher score CrossOver #2 in Windows Compatibility Layers 8.7/10 From $74 · 14-day trial ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit CrossOver

vs

Porting Kit #5 in Windows Compatibility Layers 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Porting Kit

• CrossOver fits best

  Users wanting polished paid compatibility support

• Porting Kit fits best

  Mac users installing games from many sources

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Side by side

Feature	CrossOver 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Porting Kit 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	7.4
Ranking	#2 in Windows Compatibility Layers	#5 in Windows Compatibility Layers
Best for	Users wanting polished paid compatibility support	Mac users installing games from many sources
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, Linux	macOS
Support	Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business
Features CrossOver 5/5 · Porting Kit 4/5
macOS support	✓	✓
Linux support	✓ (best)	Not published
Apple silicon support	✓	✓
Compatibility database	✓	✓
Prefix management	✓	✓
Specs
Graphics acceleration	Dxvk-vkd3d	Dxvk
Our review
Pros	Runs Windows applications without Windows or dual boot Recipes, bottles, and compatibility ratings guide application setup Supports Intel and Apple silicon Macs plus supported 64-bit Linux distributions	Free macOS application with Apple silicon support in newer engines Supports GOG, Steam, Origin, Uplay, and CD/DVD installations Includes custom ports, prefix management, and DXVK graphics support
Cons	No time-unlimited free plan Full support and upgrade coverage depend on the license Compatibility is focused on supported applications and games	Runs on macOS rather than Windows or other listed platforms Custom ports require a Windows executable Feature availability may be limited as the public changelog ends in 2022
Our verdict	CrossOver is commercial compatibility software from CodeWeavers for running many Windows applications and games on macOS and Linux. It is aimed at users who want Windows software integrated into a host desktop without installing Windows or… Read the review →	Porting Kit is a free macOS desktop application for installing and running Windows games and applications through Wineskin. It is aimed at Mac users who want to bring software from several installation sources into one environment,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• CrossOver — where it wins

  • Runs Windows applications without Windows or dual boot
  • Recipes, bottles, and compatibility ratings guide application setup
  • Supports Intel and Apple silicon Macs plus supported 64-bit Linux distributions

  Where it doesn't

  • No time-unlimited free plan
  • Full support and upgrade coverage depend on the license
  • Compatibility is focused on supported applications and games

• Porting Kit — where it wins

  • Free macOS application with Apple silicon support in newer engines
  • Supports GOG, Steam, Origin, Uplay, and CD/DVD installations
  • Includes custom ports, prefix management, and DXVK graphics support

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs on macOS rather than Windows or other listed platforms
  • Custom ports require a Windows executable
  • Feature availability may be limited as the public changelog ends in 2022

• CrossOver8.7/10 · From $74 · 14-day trial

  A paid compatibility layer with application recipes, bottles, ratings, and graphics options.

  Visit CrossOverFull verdict →
• Porting Kit7.4/10 · Free plan

  A free Mac tool for installing Windows games and apps from varied sources.

  Visit Porting KitFull verdict →