CrossOver AlternativesTop Compatibility Layer Tools and other similar apps like CrossOver

CrossOver is described as 'Install Windows applications on Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS without needing a Windows license, offering seamless integration and easy app management' and is a popular compatibility layer tool in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to CrossOver for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Flathub, Wine and Android apps. The best CrossOver alternative is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like CrossOver are WinBoat, Lutris, Proton and PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac.

filter to find the best alternatives

CrossOver alternatives are mainly Compatibility Layer Tools, but if you're looking for Game Library Managers or Virtualization Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Free, Mac and Mac + Free. 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 CrossOver.
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Alternatives
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Alternatives list

  1. Wine icon
     785 likes

    An advanced, free open-source tool enabling Windows applications to run on Linux and other systems without emulation. It offers configuration options, supports diverse operating systems, and benefits from continuous updates and robust community support to enhance Windows app compatibility.

    50 Wine alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • US flagUnited States
    Wine screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
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  2. WinBoat icon
     85 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.

    53 WinBoat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Docker
    Good alternative?
     
  3. Lutris icon
     252 likes

    Lutris is an open source gaming platform for GNU/Linux. It allows you to gather and manage (install, configure and launch) all your games acquired from any source, in a single interface.

    72 Lutris alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Flathub
    Good alternative?
     
  4. Proton icon
     136 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.

    45 Proton alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Steam
    Good alternative?
     
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    1
  5. 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.

    45 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD
    Good alternative?
     
  6. 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

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Good alternative?
     
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    2
  7. 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 (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
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    2
  8. Darling icon
     24 likes

    Darling is a macOS translation layer for Linux. It is designed to run macOS software directly without the need for a hardware emulator, making it fast and efficient.

    28 Darling alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Winlator icon
     19 likes

    Windows x86/x64 apps and PC games run on Android devices with support for DirectX, OpenGL, Vulkan, and various hardware builds using Wine and Box86/Box64. Features setup guides, secure performance, APK downloads, and options for beginners or advanced users.

    17 Winlator alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • OpenAPK
    Good alternative?
     
  10. WinApps icon
     10 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  11. Proton GE icon
     5 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
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 47 CrossOver alternatives