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 Proton, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Wine and many of them 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 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, WinBoat, Bottles and CrossOver.

filter to find the best alternatives

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
     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
     
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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. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
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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
  3. WinBoat icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Docker
     
  4. CrossOver icon
     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
     
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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
  5. Q4wine icon
     19 likes
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    Q4Wine is a qt4 GUI for wine that will help you manage wine prefixes and installed applications

    38 Q4wine alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
     
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    10
  6. WinApps icon
     5 likes
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    Run Windows apps such as Microsoft Office/Adobe in Linux (Ubuntu/Fedora) and GNOME/KDE as if they were a part of the native OS, including Nautilus integration.

    38 WinApps alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7.  3 likes
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    This is my build of Proton with the most recent bleeding-edge Proton Experimental WINE.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wine
     
12 of 20 Wine alternatives