Darling AlternativesCompatibility Layer Tools and other similar apps like Darling

Darling is described as 'Run macOS applications on Linux' and is a compatibility layer tool in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Darling for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Wine, Flathub and Arch Linux apps. The best Darling alternative is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Darling are WinBoat, Proton, PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac and Parallels Desktop.

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Alternatives list

  1. Wine icon
     743 likes
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    An advanced, free open-source tool enabling Windows applications to run on Linux and other systems without emulation. It offers configuration options, supports diverse operating systems, and benefits from continuous updates and robust community support to enhance Windows app compatibility.

    48 Wine alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Flathub
     
    • Wine is the most popular Android, Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to Darling.

    • Wine is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Darling.

    • Wine is Free and Open SourceDarling is also Free and Open Source
    • Wine is Privacy focused and LightweightDarling is not according to our users
  2. WinBoat icon
     60 likes
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    Runs Windows applications, individual apps, or full desktops inside Linux with native OS-level integration, sleek interface, advanced filesystem sharing, smartcard passthrough, and resource monitoring while supporting simple installation and ongoing feature updates.

    50 WinBoat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Docker
     
  3. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    44 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD
     
  4. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Virtualization software for running Windows, Linux, and other OSes on Mac. Supports Windows 11 on Apple Silicon, resource adjustments, and seamless app access and file sharing between OS environments.

    56 Parallels Desktop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Chrome OS
     
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    1
    Comments about Parallels Desktop as an Alternative to Darling
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Darling is for Mac apps to work on Linux (similar to Wine). Parallels is a virtual Machine that works on Macs only to run other Operating systems, such as windows or linux.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Darling Icon
    Parallels Desktop icon
    • Parallels Desktop is the most popular commercial alternative to Darling.

    • Parallels Desktop is Paid and ProprietaryDarling is Free and Open Source
  5. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    35 Windows Subsystem for Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
    • Windows Subsystem for Linux is the most popular Windows alternative to Darling.

    • Windows Subsystem for Linux is Free and Open SourceDarling is also Free and Open Source
    • Windows Subsystem for Linux is LightweightDarling is not according to our users
  6. CrossOver icon
     74 likes
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    Cross-platform utility enables seamless installation and execution of Windows applications on macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. No Windows license required—facilitates easy app management with a few clicks, eliminates the need for virtual machines and reboots, delivering efficient compatibility layer operation.

    45 CrossOver alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
     
  7. VMware Fusion icon
     115 likes
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    Seamlessly run your favorite Windows applications and devices, on any Intel-based Mac. Built from the ground up for the Mac, VMware Fusion is the easiest way to switch to Mac—letting you bring all of your Windows applications with you, making the most of your Windows software...

    40 VMware Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  8. Mythic icon
     10 likes
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    An open-source Epic Games Launcher alternative and normal game launcher for macOS written in Swift. We started this project to create a GUI frontend for Legendary and to play Windows games using game porting toolkit by Apple.

    48 Mythic alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  9. ProtonPlus icon
     5 likes
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    A simple Wine and Proton-based compatibility tools manager.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Fedora
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Wine
    • Flatpak
    • Vala
    • Proton
     
  10. ProtonUp-Qt icon
     5 likes
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    Install and manage GE-Proton, Luxtorpeda & more for Steam and Wine-GE & more for Lutris with this graphical user interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
     
  11. Protontricks icon
     4 likes
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    A wrapper that does winetricks things for Proton enabled games, requires Winetricks.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Python
    • Flatpak
     
12 of 28 Darling alternatives