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, alongside your traditional Windows desktop and modern store apps' 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, Cygwin and Bottles.

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The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a new Windows 10 feature that enables you to run native Linux command-line tools...

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Windows Subsystem for Linux alternatives page was last updated Apr 7, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Wine icon
     710 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.

    43 Wine alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    2.  Compatibility Layer
    3.  Emulation
    4.  Ad-free

    Wine VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
    Comments about Wine as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Aug 7, 2022
    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.

    ab1
    Negative Feb 6, 2024
    0

    It can't run Linux binaries.

    Guest
    Negative Jun 2, 2023
    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.

    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 Free and Proprietary
    • Wine is LightweightWindows Subsystem for Linux is not according to our users
  2. Proton icon
     102 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.

    40 Proton alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Steam

    Proton Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    2.  Run Windows Games
    3.  Compatibility Layer
    4.  Emulation
    5.  Ad-free

    Proton VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
    Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
    Guest
    Negative Jun 2, 2023
    0

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

    Windows Subsystem for Linux Icon
    Proton icon
    • Proton is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is Free and Proprietary
  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.

    43 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    2.  Run Windows Games
    3.  Ad-free

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
  4. Cygwin icon
     225 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

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Cygwin Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Linux on Windows
    3.  SSH
    4.  POSIX-compatible
    5.  ANSI color support

    Cygwin VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
    Comments about Cygwin as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
    axcqhsbsadoukciozt
    Positive Dec 14, 2022
    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 Free and Proprietary
  5. Bottles icon
     36 likes
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    Easily manage wineprefix on Linux.

    39 Bottles alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    2.  Compatibility Layer
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Native GUI
    5.  Dark Mode

    Bottles VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
  6. Anbox icon
     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.

    34 Anbox alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Discontinued

    According to their README, development has been discontinued in 2023.

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Container Virtualization
    2.  Unified inbox
    3.  No Tracking

    Anbox VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
  7. Whisky icon
     18 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

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Wine
    • Homebrew
    Discontinued

    Whisky is no longer actively maintained. Apps and games may break at any time.

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Run Windows software

    Whisky VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
  8. MinGW icon
     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...

    24 MinGW alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    MinGW Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  C++
    3.  Cross Compiler
    4.  Native application compiler
    5.  C support
    6.  GNU/linux-libre

    MinGW VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
  9. CrossOver icon
     71 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.

    41 CrossOver alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Chrome OS

    CrossOver Features

    1.  Compatibility Layer
    2.  Run Windows software

    CrossOver VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

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

    • CrossOver is Paid and ProprietaryWindows Subsystem for Linux is Free and Proprietary
  10. Mythic icon
     8 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

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Game Launcher
    6. Discord icon  Discord integration

    Mythic VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
  11. MSYS2 icon
     47 likes
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    MSYS2 is an independent rewrite of MSYS, based on modern Cygwin (POSIX compatibility layer) and MinGW-w64 with the aim of better interoperability with native Windows software.

    44 MSYS2 alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    MSYS2 Features

    1.  Command line/bash
    2.  Linux on Windows
    3.  Command line interface
    4.  POSIX-compatible
    5.  Support for scripting

    MSYS2 VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
    Comments about MSYS2 as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
    Guest
    Positive Nov 8, 2020
    1

    Familiar package manager from ArchLinux and up-to-date packages

    Windows Subsystem for Linux Icon
    MSYS2 icon
    • MSYS2 is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is Free and Proprietary
  12. OrbStack icon
     11 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.

    7 OrbStack alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Properties

    1.  Optimal performance

    Features

    1. Docker icon  Support for Docker
    2.  Fast speed

    OrbStack VS Windows Subsystem for Linux

     
12 of 33 Windows Subsystem for Linux alternatives