Finding the right MMOs is a tricky business, especially on Mac. With the constant changes in pricing models, new Expansions, and the discontinuation of old classics, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. But the good news is there are a number of excellent Mac options still available today.
And we’re here to help you find them. Following our tradition of finding the top macOS games for you, today we tackle the best MMORPG for Mac.
| Game | ★ Best Overall | Runner-Up | Best Value |
| Model | Subscription-based | Subscription-based | Pay once |
| Latest release | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Metascore | |||
| Our rating | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★☆ Full Review |
| Requirements | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Check Price |
Our favorite MMORPGs for Mac
World of Warcraft
The most successful MMO ever created, World of Warcraft (WoW) had at one point over 12 Million subscribers, more than all its competitors combined! To be fair, WoW’s subscribers may have decreased, but it’s still the most popular MMO out there.
That success comes from the amazing support Blizzard continuously delivers. Every Expansion significantly improves the game and sometimes even dares to reinvent it. On the Mac front, Blizzard’s support is stellar. So much so that World of Warcraft was one of the first games to offer a native M1 version.
Overall, everything in WoW just works. The missions are fun, the dungeons are rewarding (yet, accessible) and the raids are as hardcore as ever. The Player versus Player (PvP) is equally good, and there are professions, crafting, and countless other things to do. Leveling up and getting better gear will become your obsession.
Finally, with the decision to make all prior Expansions free (finally), WoW is set to remain the best Mac MMORPG in 2022.
Real Pricing: WoW offers a free trial that goes to level 20 but if you want to play this seriously, the game requires $14.99 per month.
System requirements: OS 10.12.5, 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 1GB AMD 5750, Nvidia 650M, 1.5GB Intel Iris Pro 5200, 78 GB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | World of Warcraft | MMO | Yes |  | Metal | Native | Good |
Final Fantasy 14 Online
With the release of the Endwalker expansion, Final Fantasy 14 Online became an even better MMO. The problem was the macOS version, which was a buggy mess at launch. The performance was so terrible, Square Enix had to publicly apologize and offer refunds.
But that was a long time ago. The Mac version runs infinity times better now, a new PvP MOBA-style mode was launched, and Stormblood, the game’s latest Expansion introduced a plethora of new quests, features, and gameplay mechanics.
FF14 offers everything a fan could ask for, including switching between classes and jobs, challenging dungeons, and huge PvP battles (with up to 72 players). Plus, the game now offers a free trial up to level 35 and cross-platform multiplayer between Mac, Windows, and PlayStation 4.
Needless to say, FF14 is also the best anime MMORPG on Mac. But more importantly, the game is gaining so much fandom, many huge streamers left WoW in favor of FF14 Online!
Real Pricing: A $19.99 Starter Edition lets you play up to level 50 while a $59.99 Complete edition eliminates all limits and includes all available expansions. Both include a 30-days free play period. Subscriptions are $29.99 for a 60-day card.
System requirements: OS 10.12.4, AMD Radeon Pro 450, AMD Radeon R9 M290, NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, Intel Iris Pro or better, 60 GB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Final Fantasy 14 Online | MMO | Yes | | Metal | Rosetta | Poor |
Elder Scrolls Online
A cross-platform MMORPG, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is the only way Mac gamers can experience the Elder Scrolls universe. And while there were various criticisms leveled at the game when it was first released, updates and fixes have firmly established it as one of the best MMORPG games for Mac around.
Featuring the fantasy RPG gameplay that made Skyrim and Oblivion famous, ESO features a wide-open world that you can explore and play in as you like, alone or with your friends. The game features a rich story, plenty of side quests, crafting, battles, and more. And Summerset, the game’s latest Expansion, adds a new region to an already huge world.
While there are still technical issues with the game on macOS, our experience with the game was positive. It is so well optimized for Macs, it was even playable on our 2012 MacBook Pro test machine.
A great-looking AAA title with a reasonable price playable on a 6-year-old MacBook Pro? That’s enough to make it our MacBook pick.
Real Pricing: The base game costs $19.99 and does not require a monthly subscription. There is also an optional $14.99 monthly subscription available including all paid DLC, faster XP, and more.
System requirements: OS 10.9, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 460 or AMD Radeon 6850 with 1GB of VRAM, 85 GB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Scrolls Online | MMO | Yes | | Vulkan | Rosetta | Poor |
EVE Online
EVE Online is a fascinating space adventure game that lets you do whatever you want. You can choose from a variety of professions, including mining, manufacturing, trading, piracy, exploration, and more. Everything happens in real-time, even when you’re not logged in, which is tedious for some but provides added realism for others. EVE Online truly feels like a parallel universe that will go on with or without you.
But the best part of EVE are the impressive space battles. These battles can involve ships as big as entire cities and can cost literally thousands of dollars. Developer CCP Games recently made EVE Online a significantly better MMO with two key decisions: it made it free-to-play and it finally introduced a native macOS version.
Bottom line: EVE is a rewarding space sim (and a must for space combat fans) that you can try for free.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play but with limits on skill levels and ships you can acquire. A $14.95/month subscription eliminates those limits and opens the whole game universe.
System requirements: macOS 10.14, 2.5 GHz Intel i5 or Apple M1, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 Graphics, 23 GB Free Space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EVE Online | MMO | Yes | | Metal | Rosetta | Good |
World of Warcraft: Classic
What seemed like an experiment unlikely to succeed turned out to be a home run. World of Warcraft: Classic is the World of Warcraft you remember from all those years ago, a recreation of “vanilla WoW”.
It doesn’t include the several features and quality of life upgrades the current version of World of Warcraft offers. And in theory, it should be an inferior game that only appeals to long-time fans looking to get their fill of nostalgia.
But Classic turned out to be so much more than that. Its ability to bring players together, create strong communities, and capture that magic from the original World of Warcraft makes Classic an excellent experience for both old-school and new MMO fans on Mac.
Real Pricing: Unlike regular WoW, WoW: Classic does not offer a free trial. If you want to play this game, you’ll need a $14.99 per month subscription.
System requirements: OS 10.13, Intel Core i5 Processor, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 5000 or Apple M1, 15 GB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World of Warcraft: Classic | MMO | Yes | | Metal | Native | Good |
Albion Online
Now free-to-play, Albion Online is an open-world sandbox MMO set in a medieval fantasy world where player choice dominates gameplay. Using a classless system, you can develop your skills in different areas and switch between roles at will.
Another nice twist is the economy, which is completely player-driven. Everything available to buy and sell has been gathered or crafted by other players. You get to decide how you want to fit into that economy.
Need a break from exploring and fighting? Albion Online provides you with a private island where you can farm and build your own dream house. Along with Guilds, PvP battles, and cross-platform multiplayer with Windows, Linux, and even mobile (Android, iOS in beta), Albion Online has it all for those who want to create their own adventure.
Real Pricing: Previously $29.95, the base game is now free-to-play with upgrades and DLC available but not required.
System requirements: OS 10.7, Intel Processor with SSE2, 4 GB RAM, 2 GB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Albion Online | MMO | Yes | | TBC | Rosetta | Good |
War Thunder
A newer entry in the WWII genre formerly dominated by World War II Online, War Thunder also includes the Korean War era in its air and land combat options.
With a huge number of available planes, tanks, and even navy vessels, War Thunder offers anything your heart could desire for mid-20th-century combat.
War Thunder features full-scale PvP battles, historical campaigns in PvE, a large number of solo missions, and cooperative multiplayer. Plus it’s cross-platform on macOS, Windows, Linux, and PS4.
What else could you want in a military MMO? Well, we’ll throw in modest system requirements allowing even more of you to try it out.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with lots of paid DLC and in-app purchases available. There are also premium accounts available starting at $7.49 for 20 days that offer extra bonuses and experience points.
System requirements: OS 10.12, Intel Core i7 Processor, 4 GB RAM, Intel 4000 HD, AMD Radeon HD 5550, NVIDIA GeForce 8800, 8 GB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| War Thunder | MMO | Yes | | Metal | Rosetta | Good |
Realm of the Mad God Exalt
An action-shooter MMORPG featuring classic 8-bit graphics, Realm of the Mad God is all about the fighting. Sure you’ll have looting and exploring to do, but that’s just to get you to the monster killing.
As a character transported to the Realm of the Mad God to serve as food for his minions, your job, along with your fellow players, is to kill everything. As you battle through each realm, you’ll level up, earn Fame, and improve your arsenal. However, the game features permadeath, where you lose (almost) all your equipment and stats when you die. Fame you have earned allows you to buy in-game items.
With a focus on cooperative multiplayer fighting, Realm of the Mad God is classic 8-bit RPG fun. Originally developed using the now-defunct Flash technology, the game was recently moved to the Unity engine and rebranded as Realm of the Mad God Exalt.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with just one optional $9.99 Adventure pack including several items for your character.
System requirements: OS 10.6, Intel Core Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 100 MB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
Runescape
An open-world, choose-your-own-adventure style MMO, Runescape began life as a browser-based game but long ago graduated to its own client software. Runescape claims fame as the world’s largest and most-updated free MMORPG according to Guinness.
Runescape is known for its classless system and non-linear gameplay. You improve skills by using them, and choosing how you want to play the game. With plenty of skills, quests, monsters, and more, Runescape gives you everything you need to explore the world of Gielinor.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play but unlocking many elements requires a $9.49 monthly subscription.
System requirements: OS 10.5, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon Mobility, Radeon Xseries, nVidia M and Go series.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runescape | MMO | Yes | | Metal | Native | Good |
World of Tanks Blitz
Looking for an MMO with tanks instead of dungeons? World of Tanks Blitz (WoTB), the MMO version of the popular World of Tanks, is for you. Featuring 7-vs-7 tank battles with cross-platform multiplayer (including cooperative multiplayer), WoTB is what you need when you’re in the mood for some heavy metal.
With over 200 different real-life vehicles and 18 different battle arenas, there’s plenty of variety to keep things fresh. Despite some complaints about matchmaking, the community, and what some see as a pay-to-win formula at higher levels, WoTB is still a fun, free-to-play tank fest for you and your friends.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with in-app purchases.
System requirements: OS 10.9, 2 GB RAM, 3 GB hard drive space.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World of Tanks Blitz | MMO | Yes | | Metal | Rosetta | Good |
The Competition: Free Mac MMORPG games and more
While you might regret that games such as Star Wars: The Old Republic aren’t available for Mac, there are still plenty of good MMOs available for Mac.
The following games, even though they didn’t make the top 10, are still worthy of your attention when you’re looking for a new MMO to play:
| Art | Game | Genre | OpenCritic | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Resident Evil 4 | Action | 2023-12-20 | |
| GRID Legends | Racing | 2023-12-12 | |
| Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader | RPG | 2023-12-07 | |
| Stray | Adventure | 2023-12-05 | |
| SnowRunner | Simulation | 2023-11-22 | |
| Death Must Die | Action | 2023-11-14 | |
| Football Manager 2024 | Simulation | 2023-11-06 | |
| Fort Solis | Adventure | 2023-10-26 | |
 | Total War: Pharaoh | Strategy | 2023-10-11 | |
| Terra Nil | Strategy | 2023-10-05 |
Our Criteria
Games have a largely subjective aspect to them. You may love some games while I might prefer completely different ones. This is why we identified a set of criteria that every single one of our picks has to meet:
Native support: This should go without saying, but each and every one of the games mentioned here has to be officially supported on macOS and does not require Bootcamp or Wine. We’ve seen too many Top Games for macOS lists that feature Windows-only games…
>MacOS performance: There’s a plethora of reliable Windows-PC reviews, guides, and videos on the internet. However, they never acknowledge MacOS gaming. This is why our focus is always on the Mac performance of the games listed here.
Critical acclaim: Video games can be subjective, but to keep this guide as relevant as possible, we only consider proven games with positive reviews from both professional reviewers and average gamers.
Pricing: How much are these Mac MMOs?: Understanding the actual cost of playing an MMO has never been harder. To help you with that, we created this summary table:
Your Turn
Obviously, MacOS is not in need of more MMOs as it already counts all of the best ones.
Whether you’re looking for high-end graphics that punish your system, a great story, something for your older MacBook, or anything in between, there’s an MMO to suit your hardware and your style.
Which one is your favorite? Did we miss any you think belong on this list? Let us know in the comments section.
Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission (this is how we pay the bills). This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
Great guide (as always) – thanks! I just took a break from Guild Wars 2 to read it ;-).
Thanks for the guide/review.
Trying to escape WOW after 12 years, I thought I would try FFXIV. I played the free trial on the PC, but I have a MacBook Pro. So I though I would pre-order Shadowbringers.
1. Could not get logged in to my Square Enix account on the Mac. I know the game has platform-specific versions. But I should still be able to log in to my Square Enix account…….and yet couldn’t.
2. I got the promo code. So I cut & paste into the website, which said the code was invalid. So I went back to Amazon and canceled the order.
I am NOT going to mess about trying to get stuff to run, trying to work out login errors. After 32 years as a software professional, I have no interest in doing it outside of work. Sooooooo. SWTOR on the PC again, I guess.
Just an update, DDO is non-op on Mac after apple Mohave update. They’ve mostly abandoned the Mac Platform.
Great work putting this together Steven! I keep coming back to it. I’ve been a WOW player for more than a decade now and I’m looking to branch out. Since I first saw your post in June, I’ve tried ESO and about to try GW2.
Looking forward to next year’s list!
This guide needs updating.
LOTRO runs on wine now and is NOT supported on OS Catalina,
I played some of them while it was still a monthly fee and returned when free. I gave up on WoW completely and the main reason was that every new expansion was to screw up the previous expansion and not going F2P. The game is too outdated to pay for. I tried Rift, LotRO and Conan again, but I got bored very quickly. The only game I got banned from was Aion as it was too much grinding and I paid a Chinese farmer. I always had big lags with Runes of Magic and there is a private WoW Ascension that also has multiclass gameplay. Currently I’m doing GW2, but it is a bit too difficult for me to solo. I never tried ESO was I was not a huge fan of first person games. FF on the PS2 was irritating as you had to fight every 5 secs. DDO was fun, but it’s not F2P after you have used up all your points to get some expansions. And some games just don;t run well on Wine/Crossover for the Mac.
ESO and FF14 are no longer supporting macs with m1 chips.
Great list! I’m glad to see that World of Warcraft is included, it’s one of my all-time favorite MMOs.
EVE Online is Apple Silicon native for years. Update you informations.