Windows Subsystem for Linux AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Compatibility Layer Tools

The best Compatibility Layer alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Windows Subsystem for Linux and many of them are Compatibility Layer Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Compatibility Layer Tool alternatives to Windows Subsystem for Linux are Proton, PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, Bottles and Cygwin.

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Alternatives list

  1. Wine icon

    Wine

     751 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

    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.
    Wine icon
    Wine icon
    • 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

     116 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

    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.
    Proton icon
    Proton icon
    • Proton is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is also Free and Open Source
  4. PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac

     248 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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
  7. Cygwin icon

    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

    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

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

    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

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    CrossOver screenshot 1
     
  10. Mythic icon

    Mythic

     11 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.

    49 Mythic alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Mythic screenshot 1
     
  11. Whisky icon

    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

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Wine
    • Homebrew
    Whisky screenshot 1
     
  12. OrbStack icon

    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    OrbStack screenshot 1
     
  14. ProtonPlus icon

    ProtonPlus

     5 likes

    A simple Wine and Proton-based compatibility tools manager.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Fedora
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Wine
    • Flatpak
    • Vala
    • Proton
    ProtonPlus screenshot 1
     
  15. Darling icon

    Darling

     15 likes

    Run macOS applications on Linux.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
12 of 22 Windows Subsystem for Linux alternatives