3DMark now Available Natively on macOS, Bridging the Performance Gap
CUPERTINO, CA – June 16, 2025 – In a important move for Mac gamers and hardware enthusiasts, the industry-leading benchmarking tool, 3DMark, has officially launched natively on macOS. This marks the first time Mac users have access to a dedicated, comprehensive suite for evaluating thier system’s graphics performance, bringing it in line with the long-established capabilities on Windows, iOS, and Android. The news is already generating buzz, landing in Google Top Stories as a key advancement for the Apple ecosystem.
For years, Mac users have relied on workarounds or iOS versions to gauge their gaming prowess. Though, UL Solutions, the developers of 3DMark, recognized a growing need for a dedicated macOS version. Data revealed that a substantial one-sixth of all submissions to the 3DMark Steel Nomad Light benchmark originated from Macs running the iOS app – highlighting the demand and the limitations of the mobile version on powerful Apple silicon. The iOS app’s frame rate constraints were impacting the accuracy of results on high-end macs.
The macOS version of 3DMark leverages Apple’s Metal API, ensuring accurate and comparable performance assessments across all supported platforms. Initially, the release includes four key benchmarks: Wild Life Extreme, Solar Bay, Steel Nomad Light, and the graphically intensive Steel Nomad.
What does this mean for Mac users?
Accurate Benchmarking: a tool designed specifically for macOS, delivering reliable performance data. Cross-Platform Comparison: Results are directly comparable to those achieved on Windows, iOS, and Android, offering a unified view of hardware capabilities.
Feature-Rich Experience: The full version, priced at $34.99, unlocks “Explorer Mode” for the Steel Nomad benchmarks, allowing users to freely explore detailed test scenes and discover hidden features. Additional benefits include result saving to 3DMark.com, custom resolution settings, HDR support, and even Steam achievement integration.
Seamless Access: Existing 3DMark owners gain immediate access to the macOS version at no extra cost. Future purchases will bundle both Windows and macOS versions where applicable.
