Does Vellum work on a Mac? Which Macs run it, and what to do on Windows
Which Macs can run Vellum
Vellum's requirement is the operating system, not the chip or the model: if your Mac runs macOS 13 or newer, it can run Vellum. To check, open the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and choose About This Mac. The version appears near the top (macOS 13 is named Ventura; later versions carry higher numbers).
Apple lists these models as able to run macOS Ventura. Any Mac released after them qualifies as well.
| Mac | Oldest model that runs macOS 13 |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro | 2017 |
| MacBook Air | 2018 |
| MacBook (12-inch) | 2017 |
| iMac | 2017 (and the iMac Pro from 2017) |
| Mac mini | 2018 |
| Mac Studio | 2022 (every model) |
| Mac Pro | 2019 |
A Mac that meets the requirement but has not been updated just needs the update first. A Mac that cannot be updated to macOS 13 at all cannot install the current Vellum; see the section on older Macs below.
Windows, iPad, Chromebook: the short answers
| Your computer | Can it run Vellum? |
|---|---|
| Mac with macOS 13 or newer | Yes |
| Mac that cannot update to macOS 13 | Not the current version |
| Windows PC | No. Only by renting a Mac in the cloud |
| iPad or iPhone | No |
| Chromebook or Linux | No |
On Windows specifically, Vellum's help pages are direct about it: the company is focused on the Mac version and does not plan a native Windows version. That has been true for as long as Vellum has existed, so it is worth planning around rather than waiting for.
Renting a Mac in the cloud: does it work?
It does, and it is the route Vellum itself points Windows users to. A cloud Mac is a real Mac in a data center that you use through a window on your PC. You install Vellum on it, buy your license as normal, and export your files from there.
Two things to weigh before you go this way. First, the rental is an ongoing cost billed by the provider, on top of the one-time Vellum license, so a one-time purchase stops being one-time. Second, you are working through a remote screen, which some people find perfectly fine and others find sluggish for hours of detailed layout work. If you only need Vellum for one book, add up the rental for the weeks you will need it before you decide.
What about an older Mac?
If your Mac cannot be updated to macOS 13, the current Vellum will not install on it. That usually means a MacBook Air from 2017 or earlier, or a MacBook Pro or iMac from 2016 or earlier. Your choices are the same ones a Windows author has: move to a newer Mac, rent a cloud Mac, use a cross-platform tool, or have the formatting done for you.
If you already use Vellum, one more practical note: experienced users often advise against updating macOS in the middle of a book project, and waiting until a Vellum-compatible update is confirmed. The full Vellum review covers that and the app's other strengths and limits.
One license, two Macs
A Vellum license is a one-time purchase, and updates are free. Vellum's help pages say you can use its Restore option to install your license on an additional computer, so moving from an old Mac to a new one, or working on a desktop and a laptop, does not mean buying twice.
If you are not on a Mac: your honest options
- Rent a cloud Mac and run Vellum on it. You get Vellum's real output. Budget for the ongoing rental on top of the license.
- Use a cross-platform tool. Atticus runs in a web browser on Windows, Mac and Chromebook, as a one-time purchase at a little over half Vellum's print price, with its own trade-offs. The Atticus review and Vellum vs Atticus vs hiring it done cover the differences.
- Have it done for you. If you have one or two books rather than a catalog, handing the formatting to a service that works in any browser skips the tool, the learning curve and the platform question entirely.
None of these is the wrong answer. The right one depends on how many books you plan to make and whether you want to operate the software yourself.
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See One Chapter FreeFrequently asked questions
Does Vellum work on a Mac?
Yes. Vellum is built only for the Mac. It needs macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer, which means a MacBook Pro from 2017 or later, a MacBook Air from 2018 or later, an iMac from 2017 or later, a Mac mini from 2018 or later, or any newer Mac.
Is there a Windows version of Vellum?
No. Vellum's own help pages say the company is focused on the Mac version and has no plans to develop a native version for Windows. Its suggestion for PC users is to rent a Mac in the cloud and run Vellum there.
Does Vellum work on an iPad or a Chromebook?
No. Vellum is a Mac application, sold only for the Mac. It does not run on iPad, iPhone, Chromebook, Linux or Windows.
Can I use one Vellum license on two Macs?
Vellum's help pages say you can use Restore to install your license on an additional computer. The license is a one-time purchase, and updates are free.
My Mac is too old for macOS 13. Can I still use Vellum?
Not the current version. Vellum requires macOS 13 or newer, so a Mac that cannot be updated to Ventura cannot install it. Your options are a newer Mac, a rented cloud Mac, a cross-platform tool, or having the formatting done for you.
Sources: vellum.pub (system requirement and prices); help.vellum.pub/purchasing (Windows, cloud Macs, licensing, updates); support.apple.com (macOS Ventura compatible computers). Details as of September 2026; confirm current pricing with the vendor. Related: Vellum review 2026 · BookDesignerAI vs Vellum · Atticus review 2026 · All author guides