Windows Subsystem for Android AlternativesAndroid Emulators & Compatibility Layer Tools like Windows Subsystem for Android

Windows Subsystem for Android is described as 'Enables your Windows 11 device to run Android applications that are available in the Amazon Appstore' and is a android emulator in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Windows Subsystem for Android for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and Flathub apps. The best Windows Subsystem for Android alternative is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows Subsystem for Android are BlueStacks, Proton, PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac and WayDroid.

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Windows Subsystem for Android alternatives are mainly Android Emulators but may also be Compatibility Layer Tools or Virtualization Tools. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windows Subsystem for Android.

Windows Subsystem for Android

Android Emulator
Free • Proprietary

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...

More about Windows Subsystem for Android

Windows Subsystem for Android alternatives page was last updated Sep 5, 2024

Wine
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.
39 Wine alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Compatibility Layer Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Flathub
+1
Wine Features
1. Run Windows software
2. Compatibility Layer
3. Emulation
4. Ad-free
5. Lightweight
Show all NaN Wine features ▾
Wine VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Wine a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?
Comments about Wine as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android

Guest
Poor match, Wine does not do the same thing as WSA,
Negative comment •Sep 5, 2024
0
Guest
It runs windows apps on non-windows oses rather than running android apps on non-android oses.
Negative comment •Apr 22, 2024
0
- This alternative is disputed. Wine is a legitimate Windows Subsystem for Android alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
- Wine is the most popular Android, Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android.
- Wine is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android.
- Wine is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Android is Free and Proprietary

BlueStacks
BlueStacks runs Android OS and apps on Windows PCs with instant switch between Android and Windows - no reboot is required. End consumers can now enjoy their favorite Android apps on Windows PCs. Android apps can appear either as icons on the Windows desktop, or within a...
25 BlueStacks alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application type
- Android Emulator
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
+9
BlueStacks Features
1. Hardware Accelerated
2. Compatibility Layer
3. X86/x64 Compatibility
4. Based on VirtualBox
5. App center
6. Multiple Instances
7. Bluetooth Support
8. App Reviews
9. Integrated Search
Show all NaN BlueStacks features ▾
Bundleware
The emulator automatically installs sponsored Android apps together with yours
BlueStacks VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is BlueStacks a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?
- BlueStacks is the most popular Windows alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android.
- BlueStacks is Freemium and ProprietaryWindows Subsystem for Android is Free and Proprietary

Proton
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.
37 Proton alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Compatibility Layer Tool
Platforms
- Linux
- Steam
Proton Features
Run Windows software
Run Windows Games
Compatibility Layer
Emulation
Show all NaN Proton features ▾
Proton VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Proton a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?
Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android

GatesDA
This brings Windows apps to Linux, rather than Android apps to Windows. There's no overlap in functionality.
Negative comment •Jul 12, 2024
0
- Proton is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Android is Free and Proprietary

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

https://www.codeweavers.com
Learn More
PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
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.
46 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Compatibility Layer Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
- Wine
- FreeBSD
PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac Features
Run Windows software
Run Windows Games
Ad-free
Show all NaN PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac features ▾
+1
PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is this a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?

WayDroid
Waydroid uses Linux namespaces (user, pid, uts, net, mount, ipc) to run a full Android system in a container and provide Android applications on any GNU/Linux-based platform.
24 WayDroid alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Android Emulator
- Operating System
Platforms
- Linux
- Linux Mobile
- Arch Linux
- Fedora
- Ubuntu
- Debian
+1
WayDroid Features
1. App integration
2. Ad-free
3. Fullscreen support
4. Lightweight
5. Works Offline
6. Container Virtualization
7. Multi-windows
Show all NaN WayDroid features ▾
WayDroid VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is WayDroid a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?

Android-x86
This is a project to port Android open source project to x86 platform, formerly known as "patch hosting for Android x86 support". The original plan is to host different patches for Android x86 support from open source community.
32 Android-x86 alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Operating System
- Mobile OS
Platforms
- Linux
- VirtualBox
- Self-Hosted
- VMware Workstation Pro
- VMware Workstation Player
Android-x86 Features
Lightweight
ARM support
Gaming Mode
Show all NaN Android-x86 features ▾
+4
Android-x86 VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Android-x86 a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?
- Android-x86 is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android.
- Android-x86 is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Android is Free and Proprietary

Bottles
Bottles is an application designed for elementary OS (but works on all GNU/Linux distributions), which helps in managing wineprefix.
35 Bottles alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Compatibility Layer Tool
Platforms
- Linux
- Flathub
Bottles Features
1. Run Windows software
2. Ad-free
3. Compatibility Layer
4. Native GUI
5. Customizable
Show all NaN Bottles features ▾
Bottles VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Bottles a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?

Nox App Player
Nox App Player: The best Android emulator leading in technology and performance. A free tool for users to enjoy the numerous Android games and apps from their desktop with ease.
24 Nox App Player alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
- Android Emulator
- Virtualization Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
Nox App Player Features
1. Run Android Apps on Desktop
2. Lightweight
3. Integrated Android Emulator
4. Controller Support
5. Ad-free
6. IPAM
7. Configurable
8. Skinnable
Show all NaN Nox App Player features ▾
Bundleware
The emulator automatically installs sponsored Android apps together with yours

Nox App Player VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Nox App Player a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?

Anbox
Anbox puts Android into a container and every Android application will be integrated with your operating system. Any Android version is suitable for this approach and try to keep up with the latest version from the Android Open Source Project.
34 Anbox alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Android Emulator
- Virtualization Tool
Platforms
- Linux
Anbox Features
1. Lightweight
2. Container Virtualization
3. Unified inbox
4. No Tracking
5. Privacy focused
Show all NaN Anbox features ▾
Discontinued
According to their README, development has been discontinued in 2023.
Anbox VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Anbox a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?
Comments about Anbox as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android

Anonymous Boy
It is basically android subsystem on Linux devices.
Positive comment •Apr 30, 2022
0
- Anbox is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Android is Free and Proprietary
- Anbox is Privacy focusedWindows Subsystem for Android is not according to our users

Genymotion
Genymotion is an Android emulator for building and testing great Android apps. It’s fast, simple and powerful.
27 Genymotion alternatives
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application type
- Android Emulator
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android Studio
- Eclipse
Genymotion Features
Integrated Android Emulator
Based on VirtualBox
Network Scanner
Show all NaN Genymotion features ▾
Genymotion VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Genymotion a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?

MEmu
Comparing to other Android emulators, MEmu provides the highest performance and greatest compatibility. It runs on nearly all Windows devices (PC, notebook, 2-in-1 devices, tablets).
25 MEmu alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
- Android Emulator
- Virtualization Tool
Platforms
- Windows
MEmu Features
Lightweight
Show all NaN MEmu features ▾
+5
Bundleware
Attempts to install Avast Antivirus, can be declined.

MEmu VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is MEmu a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?

Whisky
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.
29 Whisky alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Compatibility Layer Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Wine
- Homebrew
Whisky Features
Lightweight
Dark Mode
Ad-free
Run Windows software
Show all NaN Whisky features ▾
+2
Whisky VS Windows Subsystem for Android
Is Whisky a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Android?