Windows Subsystem for Linux AlternativesCompatibility Layer Tools and other similar apps like Windows Subsystem for Linux

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

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Alternatives list

  1. Wine icon

    Wine

     745 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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    3
    Comments about Wine as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    Wine isn't an alternative to running Linux processes under Windows. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) runs a Linux instance on Windows, similar to a virtual machine.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ab1
    Negative
    0

    It can't run Linux binaries.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Wine is for running Windows softwares on Linux, WSL is another way around. Also Wine and its forks such as Crossover or Proton only translate Windows APIs to the ones Linux kernel can use; WSL 2 has a Linux kernel so it is more like Docker than a compatibility layer.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows Subsystem for Linux Icon
    Wine icon

    • Some users think Wine is a great Windows Subsystem for Linux alternative, some don't.

    • Wine is the most popular Android, Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux.

    • Wine is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux.

    • Wine is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • Wine is Privacy focusedWindows Subsystem for Linux is not according to our users
  2. Proton icon

    Proton

     113 likes
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    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.

    43 Proton alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Steam
    Proton screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Proton is a compatibilty layer to run Windows softwares (especially Steam games )on Linux, WSL is for running Linux programs on Windows.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows Subsystem for Linux Icon
    Proton icon

    • Some users think Proton is a great Windows Subsystem for Linux alternative, some don't.

    • Proton is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is also Free and Open Source
  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 icon
    CrossOver

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  7. Cygwin icon

    Cygwin

     228 likes
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    Cygwin is a Unix-like environment and command-line interface for Microsoft Windows. Cygwin provides native integration of Windows-based applications, data, and other system resources with applications, software tools, and data of the Unix-like environment.

    28 Cygwin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cygwin terminals running on Windows 7
     
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    1
    Comments about Cygwin as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
    axcqhsbsadoukciozt
    Positive
    0

    What was available before WSL was bundled into Windows. I avoid WSL and prefer Cygwin because Microsoft always does: embrace, extend, extinguish

    Windows Subsystem for Linux Icon
    Cygwin icon

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

    • Cygwin is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is also Free and Open Source
  8. Anbox icon

    Anbox

     66 likes
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    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.

    31 Anbox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Anbox screenshot 1
     
  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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    • CrossOver is the most popular commercial alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux.

    • CrossOver is Paid and ProprietaryWindows Subsystem for Linux is Free and Open Source
  11. MinGW icon

    MinGW

     128 likes
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    MinGW ("Minimalistic GNU for Windows") is a port of the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and GNU Binutils. It provides a complete Open Source programming toolset which is suitable for the development of native MS-Windows (x86) applications, which do not depend on any...

    22 MinGW alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Installation Manager
     
  12. Mythic icon

    Mythic

     11 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.

    49 Mythic alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Mythic screenshot 1
     
  13. BitNami Application Stacks icon

    BitNami Application Stacks

     84 likes
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    BitNami Stacks make it incredibly easy to deploy your favorite open source software. BitNami Stacks include an open source application and all of the other software necessary to run it, such as Apache, MySQL, PHP or Ruby.

    44 BitNami Application Stacks alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    BitNami Application Stacks screenshot 1
     

    • BitNami Application Stacks is the most popular Web-based alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux.

    • BitNami Application Stacks is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is also Free and Open Source
  14. 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
     
  15. OrbStack icon

    OrbStack

     15 likes
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    OrbStack is an alternative to Docker Desktop for macOS, designed to offer improved performance for Docker and virtual machines on Linux running on Mac computers. It addresses performance issues that have been experienced in the past, particularly on models with Apple Silicon.

    10 OrbStack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    OrbStack screenshot 1
     
12 of 35 Windows Subsystem for Linux alternatives