Best Windows Compatibility Layers in 2026
Updated
In short: Boxedwine is ranked #1 of 25 as of 5 October 2026, ahead of WINE@Etersoft and PlayOnLinux. The best-ranked option with a free plan is WINE@Etersoft. The lowest first paid tier on this page is CrossOver at $6.17/mo.
Windows compatibility layers are worth comparing when you want to run Windows software in a different environment. Start with macOS and Linux support, including Apple silicon support, then check compatibility databases for information about the software you need. Graphics acceleration and prefix management can also shape how a layer fits your setup. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame access and cost. Boxedwine, CrossOver, and PlayOnLinux are among the options. Compare the supported platforms and management features with your hardware and intended applications before deciding which capabilities matter most.
25 Windows compatibility layers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
25ranked
7free plans on this page
$6.17/molowest paid tier
5 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Windows Compatibility Layers 25 channels on this page · 127 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid frommacOS supportLinux supportApple silicon supportGraphics accelerationCompatibility databasePrefix management Spec sheet Score
01 Boxedwine Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportYesApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 5/8spec lines stated 7.4
02 WINE@Etersoft Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportNoLinux supportYesApple silicon supportNoGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.3
03 PlayOnLinux Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportYesApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.0
04 CrossOver Free planNoPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportYesApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationdxvk-vkd3dCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 7/8spec lines stated 6.9
05 Q4Wine Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportYesApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 5/8spec lines stated 6.9
06 PlayOnMac Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportNoApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.8
07 Porting Kit Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportnot statedApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.8
08 Bottles Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportYesApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationdxvk-vkd3dCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 7/8spec lines stated 6.7
09 Crosswire Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportNoApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.7
10 Hangover Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportNoLinux supportYesApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.6
11 Wine Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportYesApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseYesPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.1
12 Scotch Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportNoApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databaseNoPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 5.9
13 Weave Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportNoLinux supportYesApple silicon supportNoGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseNoPrefix managementYes 6/8spec lines stated 5.9
14 BottleLite Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportNoApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
15 Decanter Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportNoApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
16 MacWrap Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportNoApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseNoPrefix managementnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
17 Moonshine Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportNoApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
18 WIE Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportnot statedApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 4/8spec lines stated 5.8
19 WineBar Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportNoLinux supportYesApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
20 WineCharm Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportNoLinux supportYesApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databaseNoPrefix managementYes 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
21 Bourbon Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportYesLinux supportnot statedApple silicon supportYesGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
22 GE-Proton Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportNoLinux supportYesApple silicon supportNoGraphics accelerationdxvk-vkd3dCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
23 WineGUI Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportnot statedLinux supportYesApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationdxvkCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementYes 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
24 Cygwin Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportNoLinux supportNoApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.6
25 Proton Trainer Launcher Free planYesPaid fromnot statedmacOS supportnot statedLinux supportnot statedApple silicon supportnot statedGraphics accelerationnot statedCompatibility databasenot statedPrefix managementnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.2
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | macOS support | Linux support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boxedwine | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | WINE@Etersoft | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | No | Yes |
| 3 | PlayOnLinux | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | CrossOver | 6.9 | No | $6.17/mo | No | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Q4Wine | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | PlayOnMac | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | No |
| 7 | Porting Kit | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 8 | Bottles | 6.7 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Crosswire | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | No |
| 10 | Hangover | 6.6 | No | — | Yes | — | No | Yes |
| 11 | Wine | 6.1 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | Scotch | 5.9 | No | — | — | — | Yes | No |
| 13 | Weave | 5.9 | No | — | Yes | — | No | Yes |
| 14 | BottleLite | 5.8 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | No |
| 15 | Decanter | 5.8 | No | — | — | — | Yes | No |
| 16 | MacWrap | 5.8 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | No |
| 17 | Moonshine | 5.8 | No | — | — | — | Yes | No |
| 18 | WIE | 5.8 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 19 | WineBar | 5.8 | No | — | Yes | — | No | Yes |
| 20 | WineCharm | 5.8 | No | — | Yes | — | No | Yes |
| 21 | Bourbon | 5.7 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 22 | GE-Proton | 5.7 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 23 | WineGUI | 5.7 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 24 | Cygwin | 5.6 | No | — | Yes | — | No | No |
| 25 | Proton Trainer Launcher | 5.2 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which Windows compatibility layer is ranked first on Specifiction?
Boxedwine is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 7.4. WINE@Etersoft is second and PlayOnLinux third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, CrossOver has the lowest first paid tier we found: $6.17/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.
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