Top Alternatives to Proton

Looking for Proton alternatives? We've curated 8 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Open Source More about Proton

Platforms:

Wine

Open Source

Wine is an open-source compatibility layer that allows users to run Windows applications on various POSIX systems, such as Linux, macOS, and BSD. It translates Windows API calls into POSIX API calls in real-time, eliminating the need for a traditional virtual machine or emulator.

Key Features

Enables running numerous Windows applications on non-Windows OS.
Often offers near-native performance and lower resource usage than VMs.
Facilitates better integration with the host system.

vs Proton

Enables running numerous Windows applications on non-Windows OS. compared to Proton

ReactOS

Open Source

ReactOS is a free and open-source operating system aiming for binary compatibility with Windows. It's designed to run Windows applications and drivers, offering an alternative to Windows built from scratch based on reverse-engineering its architecture. It is lightweight and community-driven.

Key Features

Free and open-source Windows alternative.
Aims for binary compatibility with Windows software and drivers.
Lightweight and suitable for older hardware.

vs Proton

Free and open-source Windows alternative. compared to Proton

PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac)

Open Source

PlayOnLinux is a compatibility layer for Linux and macOS allowing users to install and run Windows-based games and applications. It simplifies the process of running Windows software without needing a full virtual machine or dual booting.

Key Features

Simplifies running Windows software on Linux/macOS.
Uses isolated environments to prevent conflicts.
Automated installation scripts for many programs.

vs Proton

Simplifies running Windows software on Linux/macOS. compared to Proton

Parallels Desktop

Commercial

Parallels Desktop for Mac enables users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems side-by-side with macOS without rebooting. It provides seamless integration and performance for various applications.

Key Features

Excellent performance for running virtual machines.
Seamless integration with macOS, including file sharing and Coherence mode.
Easy to set up and use.

vs Proton

Excellent performance for running virtual machines. compared to Proton

VMware Fusion

Commercial

VMware Fusion is a powerful virtualization solution for macOS, enabling users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems side-by-side with macOS without rebooting. It's ideal for developers, IT professionals, and users needing broad OS compatibility.

Key Features

Excellent performance on compatible hardware.
Seamless integration with macOS (Unity mode).
Supports a wide range of guest operating systems.

vs Proton

Excellent performance on compatible hardware. compared to Proton

CrossOver

Commercial

CrossOver is a compatibility layer allowing you to run thousands of Windows applications directly on your macOS or Linux operating system without the need for a Windows license or virtual machine. It provides a seamless experience for accessing your favorite Windows programs.

Key Features

No Windows license required saves cost.
Runs applications directly on your OS, no need for a full virtual machine.
Often provides better performance than virtualization for supported apps.

vs Proton

No Windows license required saves cost. compared to Proton

WineBottler

Open Source

WineBottler effortlessly packages Windows software into Mac applications, eliminating the need for complex emulators or separate operating system installations for running your favorite Windows programs directly on macOS.

Key Features

Easy to package Windows applications into macOS apps
No lengthy Windows installation required
Bottled applications feel integrated with macOS

vs Proton

Easy to package Windows applications into macOS apps compared to Proton

Wineskin Winery

Open Source

Wineskin Winery is a macOS utility that leverages Wine to create 'wrappers' for running Windows applications and games. It simplifies the process of packaging Windows software into self-contained macOS bundles, allowing users to execute them directly on their Mac without needing a full Windows installation or virtual machine.

Key Features

Allows running Windows applications and games on macOS.
Graphical interface simplifies Wine configuration.
Creates self-contained, portable application wrappers.

vs Proton

Allows running Windows applications and games on macOS. compared to Proton

Wine

Open Source

Wine is an open-source compatibility layer that allows users to run Windows applications on various POSIX systems, such as Linux, macOS, and BSD. It translates Windows API calls into POSIX API calls in real-time, eliminating the need for a traditional virtual machine or emulator.

Key Features

Enables running numerous Windows applications on non-Windows OS.
Often offers near-native performance and lower resource usage than VMs.
Facilitates better integration with the host system.

vs Proton

Enables running numerous Windows applications on non-Windows OS. compared to Proton

ReactOS

Open Source

ReactOS is a free and open-source operating system aiming for binary compatibility with Windows. It's designed to run Windows applications and drivers, offering an alternative to Windows built from scratch based on reverse-engineering its architecture. It is lightweight and community-driven.

Key Features

Free and open-source Windows alternative.
Aims for binary compatibility with Windows software and drivers.
Lightweight and suitable for older hardware.

vs Proton

Free and open-source Windows alternative. compared to Proton

PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac)

Open Source

PlayOnLinux is a compatibility layer for Linux and macOS allowing users to install and run Windows-based games and applications. It simplifies the process of running Windows software without needing a full virtual machine or dual booting.

Key Features

Simplifies running Windows software on Linux/macOS.
Uses isolated environments to prevent conflicts.
Automated installation scripts for many programs.

vs Proton

Simplifies running Windows software on Linux/macOS. compared to Proton

Parallels Desktop

Commercial

Parallels Desktop for Mac enables users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems side-by-side with macOS without rebooting. It provides seamless integration and performance for various applications.

Key Features

Excellent performance for running virtual machines.
Seamless integration with macOS, including file sharing and Coherence mode.
Easy to set up and use.

vs Proton

Excellent performance for running virtual machines. compared to Proton

VMware Fusion

Commercial

VMware Fusion is a powerful virtualization solution for macOS, enabling users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems side-by-side with macOS without rebooting. It's ideal for developers, IT professionals, and users needing broad OS compatibility.

Key Features

Excellent performance on compatible hardware.
Seamless integration with macOS (Unity mode).
Supports a wide range of guest operating systems.

vs Proton

Excellent performance on compatible hardware. compared to Proton

CrossOver

Commercial

CrossOver is a compatibility layer allowing you to run thousands of Windows applications directly on your macOS or Linux operating system without the need for a Windows license or virtual machine. It provides a seamless experience for accessing your favorite Windows programs.

Key Features

No Windows license required saves cost.
Runs applications directly on your OS, no need for a full virtual machine.
Often provides better performance than virtualization for supported apps.

vs Proton

No Windows license required saves cost. compared to Proton

WineBottler

Open Source

WineBottler effortlessly packages Windows software into Mac applications, eliminating the need for complex emulators or separate operating system installations for running your favorite Windows programs directly on macOS.

Key Features

Easy to package Windows applications into macOS apps
No lengthy Windows installation required
Bottled applications feel integrated with macOS

vs Proton

Easy to package Windows applications into macOS apps compared to Proton

Wineskin Winery

Open Source

Wineskin Winery is a macOS utility that leverages Wine to create 'wrappers' for running Windows applications and games. It simplifies the process of packaging Windows software into self-contained macOS bundles, allowing users to execute them directly on their Mac without needing a full Windows installation or virtual machine.

Key Features

Allows running Windows applications and games on macOS.
Graphical interface simplifies Wine configuration.
Creates self-contained, portable application wrappers.

vs Proton

Allows running Windows applications and games on macOS. compared to Proton

Compare Side-by-Side

Want to see how Proton stacks up against alternatives? Select any option below for a detailed comparison.

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ReactOS vs Proton

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PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac) icon

PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac) vs Proton

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Parallels Desktop icon

Parallels Desktop vs Proton

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VMware Fusion icon

VMware Fusion vs Proton

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CrossOver vs Proton

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WineBottler icon

WineBottler vs Proton

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Wineskin Winery icon

Wineskin Winery vs Proton

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