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, CrossOver, Bottles and Whisky.

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Wine alternatives are mainly Compatibility Layer Tools but may also be Virtualization Tools or Game Library Managers. Other popular filters include Linux + Compatibility Layer. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Wine.
Wine iconWine
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A free, open-source compatibility layer allowing Windows applications to run on Linux and other systems, offering configuration and community support.

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Wine alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Proton icon

    Proton

     103 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

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Steam
    Proton screenshot 1

    Proton Features

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

    Proton VS Wine

     
    Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Wine
    Top Positive Comment
    Oktay Mercan
    Feb 16, 2020
    3

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

    Most Recent Comment
    Kelson V
    Positive •Oct 14, 2023
    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 •Mar 20, 2020
    1

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

    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

     242 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.

    43 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 1

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac Features

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

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac VS Wine

     
    Comments about PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac as an Alternative to Wine
    vXtreniusX
    Positive •Dec 2, 2020
    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. CrossOver icon

    CrossOver

     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 screenshot 1

    CrossOver Features

    1.  Compatibility Layer
    2.  Run Windows software

    CrossOver VS Wine

     
    Comments about CrossOver as an Alternative to Wine
    Kelson V
    Positive •Oct 14, 2023
    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
  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
  6. Bottles icon

    Bottles

     36 likes
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    Easily manage wineprefix on Linux.

    39 Bottles alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Main screenshot, showing three windows; the main window, an application window, and the New Bottle window.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

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

    Bottles VS Wine

     
  7. Whisky icon

    Whisky

     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

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Wine
    • Homebrew
    Whisky screenshot 1
    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 Wine

     
  8. Parallels Desktop icon

    Parallels Desktop

     140 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.

    57 Parallels Desktop alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Chrome OS
    Parallels Desktop screenshot 1

    Parallels Desktop Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    4.  Run Windows software
    5.  Support for Apple M1
    6.  Drag and Drop
    7. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Microsoft Office integration

    Parallels Desktop VS Wine

     
    Comments about Parallels Desktop as an Alternative to Wine
    Guest
    Negative •Sep 20, 2021
    1

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

    Guest
    Positive •Sep 21, 2020
    -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!

    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. 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...

    42 VMware Fusion alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    VMware Fusion screenshot 1

    VMware Fusion VS Wine

     
    Comments about VMware Fusion as an Alternative to Wine
    gdwaynewarner
    Positive •Sep 19, 2021
    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
  11. Winlator icon

    Winlator

     10 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!

    6 Winlator alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Winlator screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

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

    Winlator VS Wine

     
  12. Mythic icon

    Mythic

     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

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Mythic screenshot 1

    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 Wine

     
  13. WineBottler icon

    WineBottler

     28 likes
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    WineBottler is an App to manage and wrap your Windows apps into convenient OS X apps. WineBottler helps you with running Windows programs on OS X.

    34 WineBottler alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Wine
    WineBottler screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The application has not been updated for almost three years: https://bitbucket.org/winebottler/winebottler/src/master/, https://bitbucket.org/winebottler/winebottler/src/master/It also does not support the latest versions of macOS: https://www.reddit.com/r/winehq/comments/j43ziq/comment/g7gqpk5/

    WineBottler Features

    1.  Run in existing prefix

    WineBottler VS Wine

     
    Comments about WineBottler as an Alternative to Wine
    Guest
    Positive •Aug 27, 2018
    0

    I've used it for many apps

    Wine Icon
    WineBottler icon

    • Most users think WineBottler is a great Wine alternative.

    • WineBottler is Free and Open SourceWine is also Free and Open Source
10 of 43 Wine alternatives