Windows Subsystem for Linux AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Compatibility Layer Tools

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Wine

    743 likes

   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

   • Compatibility Layer Tool

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

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

   

   

   

   +1

   

   More about Wine  

   

   Is Wine a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

    

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   Comments about Wine as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux

    

   Guest

   Negative comment•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.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   ab1

   Negative comment•Feb 6, 2024

   0

   It can't run Linux binaries.

   Guest

   Negative comment•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.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   

   

   • 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

    112 likes

   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

   • Compatibility Layer Tool

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • Steam

   

   

   More about Proton  

   

   Is Proton a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

    

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   1comment

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   Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux

    

   Guest

   Negative comment•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.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   

   

   • 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

    247 likes

   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

   • Compatibility Layer Tool

   Origin

   • France
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Linux
   • BSD
   • Wine
   • FreeBSD

   

   

   

   +1

   

   More about PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac  

   

   Is this a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

    
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   CrossOver

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6. 

   

   Bottles

    46 likes

   Easily manage wineprefix on Linux.

   40 Bottles alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Compatibility Layer Tool

   Origin

   • Germany
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • Flathub

   

   

   

   +1

   

   More about Bottles  

   

   Is Bottles a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

    
7. 

   

   Cygwin

    228 likes

   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

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Windows

   

   More about Cygwin  

   

   Is Cygwin a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

    

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   Comments about Cygwin as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux

    

   axcqhsbsadoukciozt

   Positive comment•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

   

   

   • 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. 

   

   CrossOver

    75 likes

   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

   • Compatibility Layer Tool

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Linux
   • Android
   • Chrome OS

   

   

   

   +2

   

   More about CrossOver  

   Promotion 😀

   Get a discount on CrossOver with AlternativeTo!, use code ALTERNATIVETO15

   

   Is CrossOver a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

    

   Collapse

   • 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
10. 

    

    Whisky

     21 likes

    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

    • Compatibility Layer Tool

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Wine
    • Homebrew

    

    

    

    +2

    

    More about Whisky  

    

    Is Whisky a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

     
11. 

    

    Mythic

     10 likes

    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

    • Compatibility Layer Tool

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Mac

    

    More about Mythic  

    

    Is Mythic a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

     
12. 

    

    OrbStack

     15 likes

    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

    • Virtualization Tool

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Mac

    

    More about OrbStack  

    

    Is OrbStack a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

     
13. 

    

    WineGUI

     11 likes

    At last, a user-friendly WINE graphical interface.

    42 WineGUI alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer Tool

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wine

    

    

    

    More about WineGUI  

    

    Is WineGUI a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

     
14. 

    

    ProtonPlus

     5 likes

    A simple Wine and Proton-based compatibility tools manager.

    43 ProtonPlus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer Tool

    Origin

    • Canada

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Fedora
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Wine
    • Flatpak
    • Vala
    • Proton

    

    More about ProtonPlus  

    

    Is ProtonPlus a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

     
15. 

    

    Darling

     15 likes

    Run macOS applications on Linux.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Compatibility Layer Tool

    Platforms

    • Linux

    

    Is Darling a good alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux?