CrossOver AlternativesTop Compatibility Layer Tools and other similar apps like CrossOver

CrossOver is described as 'allows you to install many popular Windows applications and games on your Intel OS X Mac or Linux computer' and is a popular compatibility layer tool in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to CrossOver for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Wine, Windows and BSD apps. The best CrossOver alternative is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like CrossOver are Lutris, PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, Proton and Bottles.

CrossOver alternatives are mainly Compatibility Layer Tools but may also be Game Library Managers or Virtualization Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of CrossOver.

CrossOver alternatives page was last updated

CrossOver

Paid • Open Source
Compatibility Layer Tool

CrossOver allows you to install many popular Windows applications and games on your Intel OS X Mac or Linux computer.

More about CrossOver

Wine
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Compatibility Layer Tool
Mac
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
30 Wine alternatives
Wine is a free, open source application for running Windows software on operating systems that are normally not supported. With Wine, you can install and run these applications just like you would in Windows.
- - Wine is the most popular Android, Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to CrossOver.
- - Wine is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to CrossOver.
Suggest and vote on features
Wine Features
Run Windows software
Emulation
Comments about Wine as a Alternative to CrossOver
Almost everyone thinks Wine is a great CrossOver alternative.
Guest
It’s free. And you never have to buy anything for wine. You can keep it as long as you want!! And I love that special ability! Thanks!
Positive comment•
0
Lutris
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Game Library Manager
Game Store
Compatibility Layer Tool
Linux
Online
Flathub
46 Lutris alternatives
Lutris is an open source gaming platform for GNU/Linux. It allows you to gather and manage (install, configure and launch) all your games acquired from any source, in a single interface.
- - Lutris is the most popular Web-based alternative to CrossOver.
Suggest and vote on features
Lutris Features
Game Launcher
Custom Scripts
Multi System Emulator
Opinions about Lutris as a Alternative to CrossOver
Almost everyone thinks Lutris is a great CrossOver alternative.
PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Compatibility Layer Tool
Mac
Linux
BSD
Wine
FreeBSD
38 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives
PlayOnLinux is a graphical frontend for the Wine software compatibility layer which allows Linux and Mac users to install Windows-based video games, Microsoft Office (2000 to 2010), Microsoft Internet Explorer, as well as many other applications.
Suggest and vote on features
PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac Features
1. Ad-freePlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Run Windows software
Run Windows Games
Opinions about PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac as a Alternative to CrossOver
Most users think PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is a great CrossOver alternative.
Proton
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Compatibility Layer Tool
Linux
Steam
28 Proton alternatives
Proton is a tool for use with the Steam client which allows games which are exclusive to Windows to run on Linux kernel operating system. It uses Wine to facilitate this.
Suggest and vote on features
Proton Features
Run Windows software
Run Windows Games
Emulation
Bottles
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Compatibility Layer Tool
Linux
Flathub
28 Bottles alternatives
Bottles is an application designed for elementary OS (but works on all GNU/Linux distributions), which helps in managing wineprefix.
Suggest and vote on features
Bottles Features
1. Ad-freeBottles doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Run Windows software
Native GUI
Customizable
Parallels Desktop
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Virtualization Tool
Mac
47 Parallels Desktop alternatives
Parallels Desktop gives Mac users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as macOS. Parallels Desktop is optimized for Intel and Apple M1 chip.
Suggest and vote on features
Parallels Desktop Features
1. Support for Multiple MonitorsParallels Desktop supports the use of multiple displays.
Run Windows software
Support for Apple M1
Office 365 integration
Comments about Parallels Desktop as a Alternative to CrossOver
This alternative is disputed. Parallels Desktop is still a legitimate CrossOver alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
This is a virtualization tool, not a compatibility layer
Negative comment•
5

Guest
CrossOver emulates windows application layer. parallels creates a fully virtualised machine and requires Windows installation, like if it was a physical computer.
Negative comment•
10
Pegasus
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Game Library Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Raspberry Pi
26 Pegasus alternatives
Pegasus is a graphical frontend for browsing your game library (especially retro games) and launching them from one place. It's focusing on customizability, cross platform support (including embedded devices) and high performance.
- - Pegasus is the most popular Windows alternative to CrossOver.
Suggest and vote on features
Pegasus Features
1. PortablePegasus can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Game Launcher
Windows Subsystem for Linux
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Windows
22 Windows Subsystem for Linux alternatives
The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a new Windows 10 feature that enables you to run native Linux command-line tools directly on Windows, alongside your traditional Windows desktop and modern store apps.
Suggest and vote on features
Windows Subsystem for Linux Features
1. Command line interfaceWindows Subsystem for Linux either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Linux on Windows
Windows Subsystem for Android
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Android Emulator
Compatibility Layer Tool
Windows
35 Windows Subsystem for Android alternatives
Windows Subsystem for Android or WSA is a virtual machine powered by Hyper-V to run Android apps on Windows 11 OS. Although it requires Amazon Appstore to install Android apps on your computer, WSA is the required component you must have on your PC.
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Windows Subsystem for Android Features
1. Ad-freeWindows Subsystem for Android doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. LightweightWindows Subsystem for Android consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Run Android Apps on Desktop
Darling
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Compatibility Layer Tool
Linux
21 Darling alternatives
Run macOS applications on Linux.
Suggest and vote on features
Darling Features
macOS-like
Add a screenshot
WineBottler
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Compatibility Layer Tool
Mac
Wine
24 WineBottler alternatives
WineBottler is an App to manage and wrap your Windows apps into convenient OS X apps. WineBottler helps you with running Windows programs on OS X.
Suggest and vote on features
WineBottler Features
Run in existing prefix
Discontinued
The application has not been updated for almost three years: https://bitbucket.org/winebottler/winebottler/src/master/, https://bitbucket.org/winebottler/winebottler/src/master/It also does not support the latest versions of macOS: https://www.reddit.com/r/winehq/comments/j43ziq/comment/g7gqpk5/

Comments about WineBottler as a Alternative to CrossOver
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
It's much more complicated than Crossover. CrossOver is simple to use and WineBottler is much more complicated
Negative comment•
-2
WineGUI
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
Wine
28 WineGUI alternatives
At last, a user-friendly WINE graphical interface.
Suggest and vote on features
WineGUI Features
Graphical User Interface