How to Play Solarpunk on Mac (Best Options Compared)
- Sven Frese
- Games
- June 9, 2026
Solarpunk is a survival game from Cyberwave set on a world of floating islands in the sky. You build structures, grow food, craft gadgets, and sail an airship to explore. You can play solo or with friends. What you can’t do is play it on Mac natively, because Cyberwave released a Windows-only build.
Mac users have three options for getting it running: CrossOver, Whisky, or CloudDeck. Here’s what each one involves.
Option 1: CrossOver
CrossOver is a paid compatibility layer from CodeWeavers. It translates Windows instructions to macOS in real time, letting you run Windows games directly on your Mac without Boot Camp, a virtual machine, or a Windows license.
How does Solarpunk perform on CrossOver?
Solarpunk just launched, so CrossOver compatibility reports are still early. CrossOver compatibility depends on how well the game runs under Wine. Check ProtonDB for the latest community reports, which tend to reflect CrossOver performance closely.
The game has an early Gold rating on ProtonDB from Proton testing, which is a promising sign for Wine-based compatibility layers like CrossOver.
How to get started:
- Download CrossOver ($74/year, 14-day free trial)
- Install Steam through CrossOver
- Purchase and install Solarpunk
- Launch and start building
Tips: Survival games with large worlds can have longer initial load times through compatibility layers. If shaders stutter on first launch, give it a few minutes to compile.
Option 2: Whisky (Free Alternative)
Whisky is a free, open-source app built on the same Wine technology that powers CrossOver. If you don’t want to pay for CrossOver, it’s worth trying first.
Performance: Whisky uses the same Wine technology as CrossOver. If ProtonDB shows Gold or Platinum ratings, Whisky should work similarly. Check ProtonDB for the current community consensus on Solarpunk.
The trade-off: Whisky doesn’t come with CrossOver’s polished interface or official support. You may need to install extra Windows components manually and troubleshoot on your own. If you’re comfortable tinkering, it’s a solid free starting point.
How to get started:
- Download Whisky (free)
- Create a new bottle (Whisky’s term for a Windows environment)
- Install Steam inside the bottle
- Install Solarpunk and launch it
Option 3: CloudDeck (Cloud Gaming)
CloudDeck takes a completely different approach. Instead of running Solarpunk on your Mac’s hardware, it runs the game on CloudDeck’s cloud servers (Nobara Linux with Proton) and streams video to your screen. Your Mac just handles the display and your inputs.
That means your Mac’s specs don’t matter for performance. An older MacBook with 8GB RAM can play Solarpunk just as smoothly as a powerful new machine.
Best for:
- Macs that struggle with Windows compatibility layers
- Older Macs with limited RAM or storage
- Anyone who wants to skip the tinkering and just play
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 Solarpunk from your Steam library
- Play, no compatibility tweaks needed
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Newer Mac (Apple Silicon), want to try for free | Whisky |
| Want a polished setup with official support | CrossOver |
| Older Mac, limited specs, or hate troubleshooting | CloudDeck |
FAQ
Why isn’t there a Mac version of Solarpunk?
Cyberwave built a Windows-only release. Porting to macOS takes significant development work, and many indie studios focus on Windows first. There’s no public roadmap for a Mac version.
Does CrossOver cost money?
Yes, CrossOver is $74/year. There’s a 14-day free trial if you want to test compatibility first.
Does Whisky cost anything?
Whisky is completely free. It’s open-source and community-maintained.
What internet speed do I need for CloudDeck?
A stable connection of 15+ Mbps works well for 1080p. Faster is better for lower latency.
Does CloudDeck work on Intel Macs?
Yes. The game runs on the cloud server, not your local hardware, so both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs work fine.
Can I play Solarpunk multiplayer through CloudDeck?
Yes. CloudDeck connects to the internet normally, so multiplayer works the same as it would on any PC.
