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, CrossOver and Bottles.

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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

     118 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
     
    |
    5
    Proton vs Wine Comments
    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.
    3 of 5 comments
    • Proton is Free and Open SourceWine is also Free and Open Source
  2. 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
     
    |
    1
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac vs Wine Comments
    vXtreniusX
    Positive
    1

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

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

    WinBoat

     67 likes

    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.

    52 WinBoat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Docker
    WinBoat screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
  6. CrossOver icon

    CrossOver

     76 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
     
    |
    1
    CrossOver vs Wine Comments
    Kelson V
    Positive
    1

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

    • CrossOver is Paid and ProprietaryWine is Free and Open Source
  8. 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
     
  10. WinApps icon

    WinApps

     8 likes

    Allows use of Windows applications, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe software, directly within Linux desktops like GNOME or KDE, using background RDP virtualization and providing file right-click access, home directory mounting, and one-command setup.

    38 WinApps alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    WinApps screenshot 1
     
  12. Proton GE icon

    Proton GE

     4 likes

    Compatibility layer enabling Windows games on Linux via Steam Play, featuring advanced video playback, FSR integration, Nvidia CUDA support, raw input, per-game fixes automation, upstream Wine patches, frequent updates, wine-staging patches, and open-source maintenance.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wine
     
  14. ProtonUp-Qt icon

    ProtonUp-Qt

     5 likes

    Install and manage GE-Proton, Luxtorpeda & more for Steam and Wine-GE & more for Lutris with this graphical user interface.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    ProtonUp-Qt screenshot 1
     
  15. Phoenicis icon

    Phoenicis

     3 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Phoenicis screenshot 1
     
12 of 20 Wine alternatives