Parallels Desktop AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Compatibility Layer Tools

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Wine

    755 likes

   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.

   49 Wine alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Compatibility Layer

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Linux
   • Android
   • Android Tablet
   • BSD
   • Flathub

   

   

   

   +1

   

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   Is Wine a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

    

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   Wine vs Parallels Desktop Comments

    

   Kelson V

   Comment•Aug 23, 2025

   0

   Not quite the same thing. Parallels runs a whole Windows computer inside your Mac. Wine adds compatibility to run Windows apps directly on macOS. A lot of apps run great, but not everything translates between systems, and trying to match Windows is a moving target.

   

   

   • Wine is Free and Open SourceParallels Desktop is Paid and Proprietary
   • Wine is Privacy focused and LightweightParallels Desktop is not according to our users
2. 

   

   WinBoat

    67 likes

   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.

   52 WinBoat alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (MIT)

   Application types

   • Compatibility Layer
   • Virtualization

   Origin

   • Romania
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • Docker

   

   

   

   +2

   

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   Is WinBoat a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

    

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   WinBoat vs Parallels Desktop Comments

    

   Victor Ferreira

   Positive comment•Sep 19, 2025

   0

   I think WinBoat is the best alternative to Parallels Desktop because it works the same way, with a similar workflow and an interface that's just as beautiful and user-friendly.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   

   

   • WinBoat is Free and Open SourceParallels Desktop is Paid and Proprietary
   • WinBoat is Privacy focusedParallels Desktop is not according to our users
4. 

   

   Proton

    118 likes

   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.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Compatibility Layer

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • Steam

   

   

   More about Proton  

   

   Is Proton a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

    
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   CrossOver

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6. 

   

   CrossOver

    76 likes

   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

   • Paid
   • Proprietary

   Application type

   • Compatibility Layer

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Linux
   • Android
   • Chrome OS

   

   

   

   +2

   

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   Is CrossOver a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

    

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   CrossOver vs Parallels Desktop Comments

    

   Kelson V

   Positive comment•Aug 23, 2025

   0

   Crossover serves a slightly different purpose. Parallels runs an entire other operating system inside macOS, and you can run Windows applications in that guest OS. Crossover adds compatibility to run Windows applications directly on macOS, but because not everything translates exactly, it can't run every Windows app.

   

   

   • CrossOver is Paid and ProprietaryParallels Desktop is also Paid and Proprietary
7. 

   

   Darling

    15 likes

   Run macOS applications on Linux.

   28 Darling alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application type

   • Compatibility Layer

   Platforms

   • Linux

   

   Is Darling a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

    
8. 

   

   WinApps

    8 likes

   Allows use of Windows applications, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe software, directly within Linux desktops like GNOME or KDE, using background RDP virtualization and providing file right-click access, home directory mounting, and one-command setup.

   38 WinApps alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Compatibility Layer

   Platforms

   • Linux

   

   More about WinApps  

   

   Is WinApps a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

    
10. 

    

    ProtonUp-Qt

     5 likes

    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 (GPL-3.0)

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer

    Origin

    • Norway

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak

    

    

    

    More about ProtonUp-Qt  

    

    Is ProtonUp-Qt a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

     
11. 

    

    ProtonPlus

     5 likes

    A simple Wine and Proton-based compatibility tools manager.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer

    Origin

    • Canada

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Fedora
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Wine
    • Flatpak
    • Vala
    • Proton

    

    More about ProtonPlus  

    

    Is ProtonPlus a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

     
12. 

    

    MiceWine

     4 likes

    MiceWine is a project that aims to run Windows applications and games on Android smartphones.

    46 MiceWine alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer

    Origin

    • Netherlands
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet

    

    Is MiceWine a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

     
13. 

    

    Goldberg Emulator

     7 likes

    Steam emulator that emulates steam online features. Lets you play games that use the steam multiplayer APIs on a LAN without steam or an internet connection.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Steam

    

    More about Goldberg Emulator  

    

    Is Goldberg Emulator a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

     
14. 

    

    Winetricks

     2 likes

    Winetricks is an easy way to work around problems in Wine.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (LGPL-2.1)

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Gentoo
    • Fedora
    • Wine
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • FreeBSD
    • MacPorts
    • Homebrew
    • Slackware

    

    Is Winetricks a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?

     
15. 

    

    Karton

     4 likes

    Run Linux programs on macOS, a different Linux distro, or a different architecture.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    

    Is Karton a good alternative to Parallels Desktop?