What happened to Whisky for Mac?
Whisky was a free, open-source app that ran Windows games on Apple Silicon Macs. It used Wine and Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit behind a clean Mac interface, so you could create a bottle, install Steam and play without touching the command line. That made it the go-to free option for a couple of years.
In April 2025, its developer announced the end of work on Whisky. The developer said the project took more time than they could give it, and that Whisky shouldn’t take sales away from CrossOver, whose work it depended on. The GitHub project was archived in May 2025 and is now read-only.
Can you still use Whisky?
If it’s already installed, some of your games may keep working for now. Nothing will be fixed, though. A game update or a macOS update can break a game at any time, and there won’t be a patch.
New installs are harder. Users report that Whisky can no longer download the Wine files it needs on first launch. Unofficial forks exist, but they aren’t the original project and nobody guarantees they work.
Be careful where you download it
Sites that repackage Whisky or offer modified versions are a common way to get malware onto a Mac. If you still want it, use only the original project page on GitHub, and keep in mind it gets no security fixes.
The best Whisky alternatives.
| Alternative | Cost | How close to Whisky | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossOver | Paid, with a 14-day free trial | Very close. Whisky was built on CrossOver’s version of Wine | The widest range of games and Windows apps |
| Sikarugir (formerly Kegworks) | Free and open source | Close, with more settings to manage | Tinkerers who want a free tool |
| Heroic Games Launcher | Free and open source | Similar for Epic, GOG and Amazon games | Libraries outside Steam |
| GameToMac | 7-day free trial, then a Pro membership | Simpler, for a fixed list of games | Supported games with no setup |
| Cloud gaming | Free tier or monthly subscription | Different. Games stream from a remote PC | Intel Macs and fast connections |
| Parallels Desktop | Subscription, plus a Windows license | Different. Runs full Windows | Windows apps more than games |
Prices and trial lengths change. Check each provider’s site before you buy.
What each alternative is like.
CrossOver
CrossOver, from CodeWeavers, is the most direct replacement, and the one Whisky’s developer recommended. Whisky ran on CrossOver’s version of Wine, so games that worked in Whisky usually work here too. You also get regular updates, newer graphics translation for recent games, and support if something goes wrong. It’s paid, with a 14-day free trial, so you can test your games first.
Sikarugir (formerly Kegworks)
Sikarugir is the free, open-source tool that used to be called Kegworks. It wraps each Windows game in its own Mac app, and lets you switch between graphics backends such as D3DMetal and DXVK when a game misbehaves. It’s the closest free replacement for Whisky, but it asks more of you. Expect to try settings, read guides and troubleshoot.
Heroic Games Launcher
Heroic is a free launcher for Epic Games Store, GOG and Amazon games. On a Mac it can run Windows versions through Wine or Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit. If most of your library is on those stores, it’s a good fit. For Steam games, you’ll still want one of the other options.
GameToMac
GameToMac is our app, so read this part with that in mind. It doesn’t try to run every Windows game the way Whisky did. It supports a fixed list of 26 games, including Red Dead Redemption 2, Elden Ring and Age of Empires IV. Each one is tested and tuned on its own, so there are no bottles or settings to manage. You choose a game, sign in to Steam or Battle.net, and press Play. If your game is on the supported games list, it’s the least work. If it isn’t, pick CrossOver or Sikarugir.
Cloud gaming
Services such as GeForce NOW run the game on a remote PC and stream it to your Mac. Nothing runs locally, so there’s nothing to configure, and it works on Intel Macs too. You need a fast connection, and only games the service supports will work. GeForce NOW has a free tier with session limits.
Parallels Desktop
Parallels runs a full copy of Windows 11 on your Mac. It’s excellent for Windows apps but weaker for games, since many newer games built for DirectX 12 won’t run well. It isn’t a like-for-like Whisky replacement.
Switching from Whisky.
- Check your saves first. Steam Cloud keeps saves for many games. For games without it, back up the save files from your Whisky bottle before you remove anything.
- Reinstall your games. Alternatives use their own setup, so you’ll download games again through Steam or your launcher. Your purchases stay with your account.
- Free up space. Once everything works in the new tool, delete your old Whisky bottles. They can take up a lot of storage.
Which Whisky alternative should you choose?
- You want Whisky’s range of games, with updates and support: CrossOver.
- You want to stay free and don’t mind tinkering: Sikarugir.
- Your games are on Epic, GOG or Amazon: Heroic Games Launcher.
- Your game is on GameToMac’s list and you want no setup: GameToMac.
- You have an Intel Mac or just want it to work over the internet: cloud gaming.
For every option, including native Mac versions, read how to play Windows games on Mac.
Download for MacWhisky for Mac: FAQ
Is Whisky for Mac discontinued?
Yes. Its developer stopped working on it in April 2025, and the project was archived in May 2025. It no longer gets updates or game fixes.
Can I still use Whisky?
An existing install may keep running some games, but nothing gets fixed when a game or macOS update breaks it. Users also report that fresh installs fail because Whisky can’t download its Wine files. Plan to move to an alternative.
Is Whisky safe to download now?
Only the original project page on GitHub is trustworthy, and it no longer gets security fixes. Avoid download sites that repackage Whisky, and treat unofficial forks with care.
What is the best free alternative to Whisky?
Sikarugir, formerly called Kegworks, for most Windows games. Heroic Games Launcher if your games are on Epic, GOG or Amazon.
Is CrossOver better than Whisky?
For most people, yes. Whisky used CrossOver’s version of Wine, so CrossOver runs the same games and keeps getting updates and support. The difference is that CrossOver is paid.
What happened to Kegworks?
Kegworks was renamed Sikarugir. It’s the same free tool for wrapping Windows games and apps for macOS.
Can GameToMac run any Windows game, like Whisky?
No. GameToMac supports a fixed list of games and tunes each one. If your game isn’t on the list, CrossOver or Sikarugir is the better choice.
