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.
- 43 Wine alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Flathub
Comments about Wine as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
Most Recent Commentab1It can't run Linux binaries.
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.
- 40 Proton alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Linux
- Steam
Proton Features
Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
Proton is a compatibilty layer to run Windows softwares (especially Steam games )on Linux, WSL is for running Linux programs on Windows.
- 43 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
France
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
- Wine
- FreeBSD
PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac Features
- 28 Cygwin alternatives
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.
Cygwin Features
Comments about Cygwin as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
axcqhsbsadoukcioztWhat was available before WSL was bundled into Windows. I avoid WSL and prefer Cygwin because Microsoft always does: embrace, extend, extinguish
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
- Linux
- Flathub
- 34 Anbox alternatives
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.
DiscontinuedAccording to their README, development has been discontinued in 2023.
- 33 Whisky alternatives
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.
DiscontinuedWhisky is no longer actively maintained. Apps and games may break at any time.
- 24 MinGW alternatives
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...
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
MinGW Features
- 41 CrossOver alternatives
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.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- Android
- Chrome OS
CrossOver Features
- 48 Mythic alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- 44 MSYS2 alternatives
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.
MSYS2 Features
Comments about MSYS2 as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
Familiar package manager from ArchLinux and up-to-date packages
- 7 OrbStack alternatives
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.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
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.