Best Windows Compatibility Layers in 2026
Updated
In short: Boxedwine is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Crosswire and PlayOnLinux. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Crosswire. The lowest first paid tier on this page is CrossOver at $6.17/mo.
Running Windows software on another operating system can involve different compatibility-layer approaches. Compare support for your platform, including macOS, Linux, and Apple silicon, and check the compatibility database for information relevant to the software you want to use. Graphics acceleration and prefix management are additional comparison points; free-plan availability and paid-from details help clarify access. Bottles, Porting Kit, and PlayOnLinux are among the first entries, with Q4Wine and CrossOver also shown near the start. Consider the platform and compatibility details that matter to your intended software when comparing these options.
25 Windows compatibility layers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | App | Score | From | Free plan | Paid from | macOS support | Linux support | Apple silicon support | Graphics acceleration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Boxedwine | 6.4 | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | View |
| 2 | Crosswire | 6.3 | Free | Yes | — | Yes | No | Yes | — | View |
| 3 |  PlayOnLinux | 6.3 | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | dxvk | View |
| 4 |  PlayOnMac | 6.3 | Free | Yes | — | Yes | No | — | dxvk | View |
| 5 | Porting Kit | 6.3 | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | dxvk | View |
| 6 |  Q4Wine | 6.3 | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | View |
| 7 | Bottles | 5.9 | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | dxvk-vkd3d | View |
| 8 |  Hangover | 5.7 | — | Yes | — | No | Yes | Yes | dxvk | View |
| 9 | CrossOver | 5.6 | $6.17/mo | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | dxvk-vkd3d | View |
| 10 |  Scotch | 5.4 | — | — | — | Yes | No | Yes | dxvk | View |
| 11 |  Weave | 5.4 | — | Yes | — | No | Yes | No | none | View |
| 12 | Wine | 5.4 | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | View |
| 13 |  WINE@Etersoft | 5.4 | — | Yes | — | No | Yes | No | none | View |
| 14 |  BottleLite | 5.3 | — | Yes | — | Yes | No | — | dxvk | View |
| 15 |  Decanter | 5.3 | — | — | — | Yes | No | Yes | dxvk | View |
| 16 |  MacWrap | 5.3 | — | Yes | — | Yes | No | Yes | — | View |
| 17 |  Moonshine | 5.3 | — | — | — | Yes | No | Yes | dxvk | View |
| 18 |  WIE | 5.3 | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | none | View |
| 19 |  WineBar | 5.3 | — | Yes | — | No | Yes | Yes | — | View |
| 20 |  WineCharm | 5.3 | — | Yes | — | No | Yes | — | — | View |
| 21 |  Bourbon | 5.2 | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | View |
| 22 |  Cygwin | 5.2 | — | Yes | — | No | No | — | — | View |
| 23 |  GE-Proton | 5.2 | — | — | — | No | Yes | No | dxvk-vkd3d | View |
| 24 |  WineGUI | 5.2 | — | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | dxvk | View |
| 25 |  Proton Trainer Launcher | 4.9 | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | View |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which Windows compatibility layer is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Boxedwine is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 6.4. Crosswire is second and PlayOnLinux third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 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 mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.