Box86 vs OpenNative
Box86
github.comOpenNative
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Box86 | OpenNative |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Game Compatibility Layers | 7.9 (#7) | 7.0 (#23) |
| Configuration | Box86 supports configuration files at /etc/box86.box86rc and ~/.box86rc, with the user file taking priority. | Users can set graphics, runtime, controller and display options per title and use portable versioned profiles. |
| License | The project repository identifies the software as MIT licensed. | The OpenNative source is licensed under GPL-3.0, while bundled components may have different licenses. |
| Purpose | Box86 runs x86 Linux programs, including games, on non-x86 Linux systems such as ARM. | OpenNative is an independent Android PC-game compatibility runtime designed for gaming handhelds. |
Plans
In their own words
Box86
Box86 runs 32-bit x86 Linux programs on Linux systems using other processor architectures, including ARM. It translates programs at runtime and connects them to native system libraries such as libc, libm, SDL, and OpenGL. The host must provide a 32-bit little-endian system or a 32-bit userspace subsystem; Box86 does not translate 32-bit programs for a 64-bit-only userspace. On ARM, its dynamic recompiler is described as providing a 5 to 10 times speed boost over the interpreter. The project names WorldOfGoo, Airline Tycoon Deluxe, FTL, and several GameMaker Linux games as examples that run, and links to a GitHub issue list for compatibility information. Wine is supported, though many games require graphics drivers. Steam can run with Box86 but also needs Box64 to be fully usable and uses substantial memory. Vulkan wrapping requires a 32-bit Vulkan driver; the Pi 4 Vulkan driver does not support DXVK. Box86 is the legacy 32-bit version of Box64 and is free under the MIT license, which provides the software as-is and disclaims warranties and liability.
OpenNative
OpenNative is a free Android compatibility runtime for running PC games on gaming handhelds. It combines Wine/Proton, DXVK, VKD3D, Mesa, Box64 and FEX in an Android interface, with DirectX 9, 10, 11 and 12 support and Vulkan graphics. Library flows cover Steam, Epic, GOG, Amazon and custom executables. For each title, users can configure graphics, runtime, controller and display settings, and save portable versioned profiles. Performance tools include graphics-cache generations, local cache warmup, shader health reporting, post-session maintenance and an optional Adaptive Engine that changes resolution on the next launch with rollback. Controller-aware navigation and a secondary-display performance cockpit are available, with an in-game drawer fallback. Users can add provider tabs using their own HTTPS JSON or RSS/Atom feeds. Supported debrid services include AllDebrid, Real-Debrid, Premiumize, Debrid-Link and TorBox. Credentials stay in Keystore-backed local storage and are excluded from exports.