How to Play Path of Exile 2 on Mac (Best Options Compared)
- Sven Frese
- Games
- March 25, 2025
Path of Exile 2 is Grinding Gear Games’ ambitious sequel that reimagines the ARPG with tighter combat, gorgeous graphics, and the same absurdly deep character customization that made the original legendary. It’s the dark, complex loot game that Diablo fans have been craving. While there’s technically a Mac client, many players report CrossOver actually runs better—here’s how to get the best experience on your Mac.
Mac users have three solid options: CrossOver (a compatibility layer that runs Windows games directly on your Mac), Whisky (a free alternative to CrossOver), or CloudDeck (cloud gaming that streams the game from a remote PC). Here’s how they compare for Path of Exile 2.
Option 1: CrossOver
CrossOver is a compatibility layer that lets you run Windows games directly on your Mac—no Boot Camp, no Windows license, no virtual machine. It translates Windows commands to macOS in real-time, so games run natively on your hardware.
How does Path of Exile 2 perform?
Path of Exile 2 runs surprisingly well through CrossOver—often better than the official Mac client. An M2 Max with 32GB delivers an impressive 72 FPS using DX12 with D3DMetal. Mid-range setups like the M3 Pro with 18GB manage a solid 60 FPS at Medium settings. Even an M1 Pro with 16GB averages around 40 FPS (ranging 35-45), which is smooth enough for most ARPG gameplay. Endgame density can stress lower-spec machines.
Quick reference:
- ✅ M2 Max 32GB — 72 FPS, DX12/D3DMetal
- ✅ M3 Pro 18GB — 60 FPS, Medium settings
- ⚠️ M1 Pro 16GB — 40 FPS (35-45 range)
- ❌ 8GB RAM Macs — Endgame content will struggle
How to get started:
- Download CrossOver ($74/year, 14-day free trial)
- Install Steam through CrossOver
- Download Path of Exile 2 (free to play)
- Use DX12 with D3DMetal for best performance
Tips: CrossOver actually outperforms the official Mac client. Expect smooth gameplay even in high-density endgame maps.
Option 2: Whisky (Free Alternative)
If you’d rather not pay for CrossOver, Whisky offers similar functionality for free. It’s built on the same Wine technology that powers CrossOver, but it’s open-source and community-maintained.
Performance: Expect similar results to CrossOver—the underlying technology is the same.
The trade-off: Whisky requires more manual setup. You may need to install additional Windows components, troubleshoot shader compilation issues, and tweak settings yourself. It’s a great option if you’re comfortable with technical tinkering, but CrossOver’s polish might be worth $74/year if you value convenience.
How to get started:
- Download Whisky (free)
- Create a new “bottle” (Whisky’s term for a Windows environment)
- Install Steam inside the bottle
- Install Path of Exile 2 through Steam
- Troubleshoot as needed (check the Whisky Discord for help)
Option 3: CloudDeck (Cloud Gaming)
If your Mac doesn’t have the horsepower for CrossOver, or you just want to skip the compatibility headaches, CloudDeck offers a completely different approach: cloud gaming.
Instead of running the game on your Mac, CloudDeck runs it on our high-performance servers and streams the video to your screen. Your Mac just needs to display the stream, so even an 8GB MacBook Air works perfectly.
Performance: 60 FPS at 1080p, High settings (runs on our cloud servers).
Best for:
- 8GB RAM Macs
- Macs with limited storage (game needs 100GB locally)
- Anyone who wants zero setup headaches
Requirements: Any Mac and a stable internet connection (15+ Mbps recommended).
How to get started:
- Sign up for CloudDeck ($19.99/month, cancel anytime)
- Connect using Moonlight or your browser
- Install Path of Exile 2 from your Steam library
- Play immediately—no compatibility tweaks needed
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Powerful Mac (M2 Pro+), want best performance | CrossOver |
| Tech-savvy, prefer free solutions | Whisky |
| Any Mac, want it to just work | CloudDeck |
FAQ
Why not use the official Mac client?
Grinding Gear Games released a Mac client, but CrossOver actually performs better. The native client lacks MetalFX and runs slower on most hardware.
Can I use my saves?
Yes—all three options use your GGG account, so progress syncs automatically.
Last updated: March 2026.
