Proton AlternativesTop Compatibility Layer Tools and other similar apps like Proton

Proton is described as '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' and is a very popular compatibility layer tool in the gaming software category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Proton for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Wine, Flathub and Windows apps. The best Proton alternative is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Proton are WinBoat, PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, Bottles and ReactOS.

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Alternatives list

  1. Wine icon

    Wine

     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 screenshot 1
     
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    • Almost everyone thinks Wine is a great Proton alternative.

    • Wine is the most popular Android, Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to Proton.

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

    • Wine is Free and Open SourceProton is also Free and Open Source
    • Wine is Privacy focused and LightweightProton is not according to our users
  2. WinBoat icon

    WinBoat

     61 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

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Docker
    WinBoat screenshot 1
     
  4. PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac

     247 likes
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    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
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 1
     
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    CrossOver

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  7. ReactOS icon

    ReactOS

     290 likes
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    ReactOS™ is a FOSS effort to develop a quality operating system based on the architecture of Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems, that is compatible with applications and drivers written for it (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7).

    197 ReactOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
    ReactOS screenshot 1
     

    • ReactOS is the most popular Windows alternative to Proton.

    • ReactOS is Free and Open SourceProton is also Free and Open Source
    • ReactOS is LightweightProton is not according to our users
  8. Parallels Desktop icon

    Parallels Desktop

     145 likes
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    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

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Chrome OS
    Parallels Desktop screenshot 1
     

    • Parallels Desktop is the most popular commercial alternative to Proton.

    • Parallels Desktop is Paid and ProprietaryProton is Free and Open Source
  10. CrossOver icon

    CrossOver

     75 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
    CrossOver screenshot 1
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  12. Whisky icon

    Whisky

     21 likes
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    Whisky provides a clean and easy to use graphical wrapper for Wine built in native SwiftUI. You can make and manage bottles, install and run Windows apps and games, and unlock the full potential of your Mac with no technical knowledge required.

    33 Whisky alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Wine
    • Homebrew
    Whisky screenshot 1
     
  13. Mythic icon

    Mythic

     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
    Mythic screenshot 1
     
  14. ProtonPlus icon

    ProtonPlus

     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
    ProtonPlus screenshot 1
     
12 of 43 Proton alternatives