The Best Wine AlternativesTop Compatibility Layer Tools and other similar apps like Wine

Wine is described as 'A free, open-source compatibility layer allowing Windows applications to run on Linux and other systems, offering configuration and community support' and is a leading compatibility layer tool in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Wine for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Wine, Flathub and Windows apps. The best Wine alternative is Proton, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Wine are PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, WinBoat, Bottles and CrossOver.

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Wine alternatives are mainly Compatibility Layer Tools, but if you're looking for Virtualization Tools or Game Library Managers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Mac, Android and Linux + Compatibility Layer. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Wine.
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Alternatives list

  1. Proton icon

    Proton

     112 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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    5
    28
    Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Wine
    Top Positive Comment
    Oktay Mercan
    3

    Steam have build in proton so you can run your games with steam on linux.

    Kelson V
    Positive
    0

    Proton's built on Wine and built into Steam. It's a lot simpler to run the native Steam client and let it run the game through an optimized environment than to try to configure it yourself for each game.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Proton is much easier to use than wine, you only download it with Steam and ready without many settings.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Wine Icon
    Proton icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Proton is a great Wine alternative.

    • Proton is the most popular Linux alternative to Wine.

    • Proton is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Wine.

    • Proton is Free and Open SourceWine is also Free and Open Source
  2. 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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    1
    42
    Comments about PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac as an Alternative to Wine
    vXtreniusX
    Positive
    1

    PlayOnLinux uses wine technology in a simple, easy to use user interface.

    Wine Icon
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    • Almost everyone thinks PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is a great Wine alternative.

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is the most popular Mac alternative to Wine.

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is Free and Open SourceWine is also Free and Open Source
  4. WinBoat icon

    WinBoat

     60 likes
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    Runs Windows applications, individual apps, or full desktops inside Linux with native OS-level integration, sleek interface, advanced filesystem sharing, smartcard passthrough, and resource monitoring while supporting simple installation and ongoing feature updates.

    50 WinBoat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Docker
    WinBoat screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Parallels Desktop icon
    Parallels Desktop

    Virtualization software for running Windows, Linux, and other OSes on Mac. Supports Windows 11 on Apple Silicon, resource adjustments, and seamless app access and file sharing between OS environments.

    https://www.parallels.com
    Learn More
  7. CrossOver icon

    CrossOver

     74 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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    1
    26
    Comments about CrossOver as an Alternative to Wine
    Kelson V
    Positive
    1

    CrossOver is a commercial distribution of Wine that contributes to the upstream version - and it has much better install tools!

    Wine Icon
    CrossOver icon

    • Most users think CrossOver is a great Wine alternative.

    • CrossOver is the most popular Android alternative to Wine.

    • CrossOver is the most popular commercial alternative to Wine.

    • CrossOver is Paid and ProprietaryWine is Free and Open Source
  8. Parallels Desktop icon

    Parallels Desktop

     145 likes
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    Virtualization software for running Windows, Linux, and other OSes on Mac. Supports Windows 11 on Apple Silicon, resource adjustments, and seamless app access and file sharing between OS environments.

    56 Parallels Desktop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Chrome OS
    Parallels Desktop screenshot 1
     
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    2
    8
    Comments about Parallels Desktop as an Alternative to Wine
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software, Wine is a compatibility layer. They're not even remotely the same and do completely different things.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Putting on a price for something incredible like this is not a surprise. It runs perfectly well on Mac, unlike VirtualBox that requires a lot of space and Wine as well. There's a 14-day free trial so there is no harm trying it. No credit card info, nothing. Just a bit of clearing up space and finding your Windows OS and you're good to go. It's pretty incredible I must say. Anyone who gave Wine a shot MUST try this one!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Wine Icon
    Parallels Desktop icon

    • Most users think Parallels Desktop is a great Wine alternative.

    • Parallels Desktop is Paid and ProprietaryWine is Free and Open Source
  10. Winlator icon

    Winlator

     17 likes
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    In this digital age, our smartphones and tablets have become indispensable tools for both work and play. While Android offers a vast ecosystem of apps, it has often left users longing for the convenience of their favorite Windows applications. But fear not!

    11 Winlator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Winlator screenshot 1
     
  11. 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
     
  12. VMware Fusion icon

    VMware Fusion

     115 likes
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    Seamlessly run your favorite Windows applications and devices, on any Intel-based Mac. Built from the ground up for the Mac, VMware Fusion is the easiest way to switch to Mac—letting you bring all of your Windows applications with you, making the most of your Windows software...

    40 VMware Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    VMware Fusion screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Comments about VMware Fusion as an Alternative to Wine
    gdwaynewarner
    Positive
    0

    What both Fusion and Parallels do is completely different than what Wine does. This is NOT a good alternative.

    Wine Icon
    VMware Fusion icon

    • Most users think VMware Fusion is a great Wine alternative.

    • VMware Fusion is Free and ProprietaryWine is Free and Open Source
  13. Windows Subsystem for Linux icon

    Windows Subsystem for Linux

     26 likes
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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 directly on Windows.

    35 Windows Subsystem for Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows Subsystem for Linux screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Windows Subsystem for Linux as an Alternative to Wine
    andrejusdovidaitis
    Negative
    2

    Not an alternative, this runs linux apps on windows while wine runs windows apps on linux or another operating system

    ab1
    Negative
    0

    It doesn't run Windows apps

    Wine Icon
    Windows Subsystem for Linux icon

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

    • Windows Subsystem for Linux is Free and Open SourceWine is also Free and Open Source
  15. Mythic icon

    Mythic

     10 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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Mythic screenshot 1
     
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