Best Game Compatibility Layers in 2026
Updated
In short: cnc-ddraw is ranked #1 of 27 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of GameHub and Bannerlator. The best-ranked option with a free plan is GameHub. The lowest first paid tier on this page is CrossOver at $6.17/mo.
If you want to run games on a host platform they were not made for, a compatibility layer’s runtime model and supported platforms are useful starting points. Compare DirectX and Vulkan support, then check Steam integration and anti-cheat status for details relevant to your games. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are also covered. Bannerlator heads the entries, followed by Proton-CachyOS and PlayOnLinux; CrossOver and Bottles appear near the top as well. Match the listed platform and graphics support to your setup, and consider whether particular games rely on Steam integration or anti-cheat. The comparison points describe coverage, not a guarantee for every game or configuration.
27 game compatibility layers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 cnc-ddraw Top pick · 7.2 Free plan · Free
#2 GameHub Runner-up · 7.1 Free plan · Free
#3 Bannerlator Also great · 7.0 Free plan · Free- Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Windows, Linux, macOS, Android
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
- Vulkan support
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Android, iOS, macOS
- DirectX support
- not stated
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Android
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Android
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- directx 9/10/11 + 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Runtime model
- translation
- DirectX support
- directx 9/10/11
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About DXVKVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Runtime model
- translation
- DirectX support
- directx 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Android
- Host platforms
- Android
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- directx 9/10/11 + 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Linux, Android
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Linux
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- directx 9/10/11 + 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 74 one-time
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$6.17/mofirst paid tier About CrossOverVisit site - WindowsmacOSLinuxiOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Windows, GNU/Linux, macOS, iOS/tvOS
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Linux; Windows via WSL2
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Host platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Runtime model
- translation
- DirectX support
- not stated
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Linux
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- directx 9/10/11 + 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Host platforms
- Linux
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Host platforms
- Linux
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- directx 9/10/11 + 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Android
- Host platforms
- Android
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- directx 9/10/11 + 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Linux
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Host platforms
- Linux
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Host platforms
- Windows
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- not stated
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Runtime model
- translation + runtime
- DirectX support
- directx 12
- Vulkan support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
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 game compatibility layer is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
cnc-ddraw is ranked #1 of 27 with a score of 7.2. GameHub is second and Bannerlator third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 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: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.