Windows Subsystem for Linux Alternatives

Windows Subsystem for Linux is described as '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' and is a compatibility layer tool in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Windows Subsystem for Linux for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, Flathub and Wine apps. The best Windows Subsystem for Linux alternative is Wine, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows Subsystem for Linux are Proton, PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, Bottles and Cygwin.

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Alternatives list

  1. MSYS2 icon

    MSYS2

     47 likes

    MSYS2 is an independent rewrite of MSYS, based on modern Cygwin (POSIX compatibility layer) and MinGW-w64 with the aim of better interoperability with native Windows software.

    18 MSYS2 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    MSYS2 screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about MSYS2 as an Alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux
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    Positive
    1

    Familiar package manager from ArchLinux and up-to-date packages

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows Subsystem for Linux Icon
    MSYS2 icon
    • MSYS2 is Free and Open SourceWindows Subsystem for Linux is also Free and Open Source
  4. 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
     
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    CrossOver

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  10. MinC icon

    MinC

     1 like

    MinC has a tiny kernel emulation (285Kb) which runs on Windows. The rest of the software was taken verbatim from OpenBSD, version 6.1. This means that by installing MinC, you run OpenBSD on your Windows machine at native speed.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Libraries
     
  11. 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. Proton GE

     3 likes

    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
     
  13. MiceWine icon

    MiceWine

     3 likes

    MiceWine is a project that aims to run Windows applications and games on Android smartphones.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
     
  14. WineZGUI icon

    WineZGUI

     2 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    WineZGUI screenshot 1
     
  15. Shells icon

    Shells

     3 likes

    Transform any device into a powerful virtual desktop with top-end performance and security, starting at $5. Supports Windows 10 and Linux, enabling coding or creative tasks with automatic backups and robust encryption.

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Shells screenshot 1
     

    • Shells is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Windows Subsystem for Linux.

    • Shells is Paid and ProprietaryWindows Subsystem for Linux is Free and Open Source
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