What Crossover does

Crossover is a privately held software company, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, with 101-250 employees. The firmographic mission statement describes its purpose as "to democratize access to impactful, high-paying jobs," though the product and technology data describe a different business: a WINE-based compatibility layer software business operating at crossover.com under the CrossOver brand. The company's core product, CrossOver for Mac, is a proprietary compatibility layer built on the open-source WINE project that enables macOS users to run Windows applications directly on macOS without installing Windows, purchasing a Windows license, or running a full virtualization stack. The technical platform includes specialized support for Apple D3DMetal 3.0 graphics rendering and Apple Silicon Rosetta translation, with the February 2026 CrossOver 26 release incorporating over 6,000 cumulative technical improvements.

Name

Crossover

Website

https://crossover.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Crossover (crossover.com) produces CrossOver for Mac, a WINE-based compatibility layer that lets macOS users run Windows applications without installing Windows or using virtualization. The Austin-based company sells direct-to-consumer via $74 annual or $494 lifetime licenses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Annual Subscription License: Users pay $74 for a 12-month license to use CrossOver, providing recurring revenue with annual renewal opportunity
2. Lifetime License Purchase: One-time purchase option at $494 for perpetual lifetime access to the software, generating upfront revenue without recurring components

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Crossover sells CrossOver for Mac, a WINE-based compatibility layer application that enables macOS users to run Windows applications directly on their Mac without installing Windows, using a virtual machine, or performing complex manual WINE configuration. The product is offered as either a 12-month subscription license at $74 or a perpetual lifetime license at $494, with a 14-day free trial available.

Product overview

Crossover offers a single unified product called CrossOver (CrossOver for Mac), which is a compatibility layer based on WINE technology. CrossOver enables users to run Windows applications on macOS without requiring Windows installation or virtualization. The company recently released CrossOver 26 (February 2026), which includes over 6,000 technical improvements and updated graphics support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CrossOver for Mac A WINE-based compatibility layer application for macOS that enables users to run Windows applications directly on a Mac without installing Windows, setting up a virtual machine, or performing manual WINE configuration. Sold to individual macOS users (consumers, prosumers, and gamers) via direct e-commerce, with a 14-day free trial, a $74 annual subscription, and a $494 perpetual lifetime license. The latest release, CrossOver 26 (February 2026), includes over 6,000 technical improvements and Apple D3DMetal 3.0 graphics support.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Toptal: Elite freelance talent network focused on placing top 3% of freelance professionals with enterprise clients. Comparable to Crossover's positioning around "high-paying" and "impactful" jobs.
• Andela: Tech talent marketplace connecting African and global engineers with enterprise clients. Comparable mission of democratizing access to high-paying tech jobs, with similar curated-talent model.
• Catalant: Expert network and on-demand consulting platform connecting enterprises with independent consultants and specialists. Comparable curated marketplace positioning around high-impact work.

Broad incumbents

• Upwork: Publicly-traded global freelance marketplace connecting businesses with independent talent across categories. Most relevant comparator for a horizontal talent marketplace of comparable scale ambition.
• Freelancer.com: Publicly-traded global freelance marketplace covering wide categories of work. Comparable horizontal talent marketplace model with similar buyer/seller dynamics.
• Fiverr: Publicly-traded freelance services marketplace spanning creative, tech, and professional services. Comparable horizontal marketplace model targeting SMB and individual buyers.

Emerging players

• Remote: Global HR platform enabling companies to hire, pay, and manage employees and contractors internationally. Overlaps with Crossover's job-access mission through international employment infrastructure.
• Deel: Global payroll, compliance, and employment platform for hiring remote workers internationally. Comparable mission of democratizing access to global job opportunities, with rapidly scaled headcount.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/crossover4work

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Crossover