Wine AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Compatibility Layer Tools for Linux

There are many alternatives to Wine for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux Compatibility Layer Tool alternative is PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Wine and 15 are Compatibility Layer Tools available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux Compatibility Layer Tool alternatives to Wine are Proton, CrossOver, Bottles and Proton GE.

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Wine alternatives are mainly Compatibility Layer Tools but may also be Game Library Managers. Other popular filters includes 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.

More about Wine
More about Wine
Wine alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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  1. PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac

     241 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.

    42 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    2.  Run Windows Games
    3.  Ad-free
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 1
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 2
    +1
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 3
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac iconWine Icon

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac VS Wine

    Is this a good alternative to Wine?
     
    Comments about PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac as an Alternative to Wine
     
    vXtreniusX

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

    Positive comment •Dec 2, 2020
    1
    Wine Icon
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

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

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

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Wine.

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is Free and Open SourceWine is also Free and Open Source
  2. Proton icon
    Proton icon

    Proton

     99 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.

    39 Proton alternatives
    Proton screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    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 iconWine Icon

    Proton VS Wine

    Is Proton a good alternative to Wine?
     
    Comments about Proton as an Alternative to Wine
     
       
    Oktay Mercan

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

    Top positive comment •Feb 16, 2020
    3
    Kelson V

    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.

    Positive comment •Oct 14, 2023
    0
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Mar 20, 2020
    1
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    3 of 5 comments
    Wine Icon
    Proton icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Proton is a great Wine alternative.

    • Proton is Free and Open SourceWine is also Free and Open Source
  4. CrossOver icon
    CrossOver icon

    CrossOver

     71 likes
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    CrossOver allows you to install many popular Windows applications and games on your Intel OS X Mac or Linux computer.

    40 CrossOver alternatives
    CrossOver screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Chrome OS

    CrossOver Features

    1.  Compatibility Layer
    2.  Run Windows software
    CrossOver screenshot 1
    CrossOver screenshot 2
    +2
    CrossOver screenshot 3
    CrossOver iconWine Icon

    CrossOver VS Wine

    Is CrossOver a good alternative to Wine?
     
    Comments about CrossOver as an Alternative to Wine
     
    Kelson V

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

    Positive comment •Oct 14, 2023
    1
    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
    CrossOver icon

    CrossOver

    CrossOver allows you to install many popular Windows applications and games on your Intel OS X Mac or Linux computer.

    https://www.codeweavers.com
    Learn More
  6. Bottles icon
    Bottles icon

    Bottles

     35 likes
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    Easily manage wineprefix on Linux.

    37 Bottles alternatives
    Main screenshot, showing three windows; the main window, an application window, and the New Bottle window.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Screenshot of the Settings window, with multiple settings to tweak the Windows environment.
    Screenshot of the Dependencies window, with multiple dependencies listed with an install button next to them.
    +1
    Screenshot of the Installers window, with the listing of multiple Windows programs (such as Battle.net or GOG Galaxy), their ProtonDB rating, and an install button.

    Bottles Features

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

    Bottles VS Wine

    Is Bottles a good alternative to Wine?
     

  7. Proton GE

     2 likes
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    This is my build of Proton with the most recent bleeding-edge Proton Experimental WINE.

    39 Proton GE alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wine
    Wine Icon

    Proton GE VS Wine

    Is Proton GE a good alternative to Wine?
     
  8. WineGUI icon
    WineGUI icon

    WineGUI

     6 likes
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    At last, a user-friendly WINE graphical interface.

    38 WineGUI alternatives
    WineGUI screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wine

    WineGUI Features

    1.  Graphical User Interface
    WineGUI screenshot 1
    WineGUI screenshot 2
    WineGUI iconWine Icon

    WineGUI VS Wine

    Is WineGUI a good alternative to Wine?
     
  10. Q4wine icon
    Q4wine icon

    Q4wine

     17 likes
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    Q4Wine is a qt4 GUI for wine that will help you manage wine prefixes and installed applications

    35 Q4wine alternatives
    Q4wine screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine

    Q4wine Features

    1. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    Q4wine screenshot 1
    Q4wine screenshot 2
    +1
    Q4wine screenshot 3
    Q4wine iconWine Icon

    Q4wine VS Wine

    Is Q4wine a good alternative to Wine?
     
  11. WineZGUI icon
    WineZGUI icon

    WineZGUI

     1 like
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    WineZGUI (pronounced Wine-Zee-Goo-Eee) is a wine frontend for playing windows games with wine easily. It is a collection of Bash scripts for Wine Prefix Management and Linux Desktop Integration for easier wine gaming experience using Zenity.

    38 WineZGUI alternatives
    WineZGUI screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub

    WineZGUI Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    WineZGUI screenshot 1
    WineZGUI iconWine Icon

    WineZGUI VS Wine

    Is WineZGUI a good alternative to Wine?
     
  12. Phoenicis icon
    Phoenicis icon

    Phoenicis

     1 like
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    Phoenicis is a graphical front-end for Wine, a tool to help Linux and Mac users run games and programs for Windows. The future of PlayOnLinux and PlayOnMac.

    38 Phoenicis alternatives
    Phoenicis screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Flathub

    Phoenicis Features

    1.  Run Windows Games
    2.  Run Windows software
    Phoenicis screenshot 1
    Phoenicis screenshot 2
    Phoenicis iconWine Icon

    Phoenicis VS Wine

    Is Phoenicis a good alternative to Wine?
     
  13. Hangover icon
    Hangover icon

    Hangover

     2 likes
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    This is Hangover, a project started by André Zwing and Stefan Dösinger in 2016 to run (x86_64)/x86_32 Windows applications on aarch64/(ppc64le)/x86_64 Wine. (Architectures in brackets are currently not supported).

    38 Hangover alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    Hangover Features

    1.  Run Windows software
    Hangover iconWine Icon

    Hangover VS Wine

    Is Hangover a good alternative to Wine?
     
10 of 15 Wine alternatives