Best Windows Compatibility Layers in 2026
Updated
In short: Boxedwine is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of PlayOnLinux and Q4Wine. The best-ranked option with a free plan is PlayOnLinux. The lowest first paid tier on this page is CrossOver at $6.17/mo.
Windows compatibility layers are options to compare when you need to consider platform support for Windows software. Look at macOS and Linux support, including Apple silicon, and check whether a compatibility database is listed. Graphics acceleration and prefix management add further points to weigh. Free-plan availability and paid-from details help compare access. Bottles, PlayOnLinux, and Porting Kit lead the ranking, followed by Q4Wine and CrossOver. Start with the operating systems and compatibility information relevant to your intended software, then compare the remaining listed features against the setup you have in mind.
25 Windows compatibility layers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Boxedwine Top pick · 7.4 Free plan · Free
#2 PlayOnLinux Runner-up · 7.0 Free plan · Free
#3 Q4Wine Also great · 6.9 Free plan · Free- Free plan LinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk-vkd3d
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk-vkd3d
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$6.17/mofirst paid tier About CrossOverVisit site - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- No
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- No
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- No
- Graphics acceleration
- none
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOS
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- No
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- No
- Graphics acceleration
- none
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOS
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOS
- macOS support
- Yes
- Linux support
- No
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- none
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- No
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- No
- Linux support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- macOS support
- No
- Linux support
- Yes
- Apple silicon support
- No
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk-vkd3d
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Linux support
- Yes
- Graphics acceleration
- dxvk
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- macOS support
- No
- Linux support
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- 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 Windows compatibility layer is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
Boxedwine is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 7.4. PlayOnLinux is second and Q4Wine 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 on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.