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Head-to-head · Windows Compatibility Layers

Bottles vs CrossOver

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Bottles #2 in Windows Compatibility Layers 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Bottles
CrossOver #3 in Windows Compatibility Layers 9.0/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit CrossOver

Bottles leads on 1 check, CrossOver on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBottles · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Bottles
  • Free trialonly CrossOver

Bottles scores higher on our rubric for windows compatibility layers: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Bottles offers free plan; CrossOver doesn't.

Bottles is the better fit for most users managing Windows apps across platforms. CrossOver is the better fit for users wanting polished paid compatibility support.

  • Bottles fits best

    Most users managing Windows apps across platforms

  • CrossOver fits best

    Users wanting polished paid compatibility support

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Side by side

Feature Bottles 9.2/10 Visit ↗ CrossOver 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Windows Compatibility Layers #3 in Windows Compatibility Layers
Best for Most users managing Windows apps across platforms Users wanting polished paid compatibility support
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $74 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux, macOS macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Bottles 5/5 · CrossOver 5/5
macOS support ✓ ✓
Linux support ✓ ✓
Apple silicon support ✓ ✓
Compatibility database ✓ ✓
Prefix management ✓ ✓
Specs
Graphics acceleration Dxvk-vkd3d Dxvk-vkd3d
Our review
Pros
  • Separate bottles isolate Windows app environments and configurations.
  • DXVK, VKD3D, dependencies, snapshots, and runners support varied workloads.
  • CLI controls and community installers add flexibility for repeatable management.
  • Runs Windows applications without Windows or dual boot
  • Recipes, bottles, and compatibility ratings guide application setup
  • Supports Intel and Apple silicon Macs plus supported 64-bit Linux distributions
Cons
  • macOS and Apple silicon support are tied to Bottles Next under development.
  • Wine and Proton compatibility can vary by Windows application.
  • Advanced configuration may require familiarity with runners and dependencies.
  • No time-unlimited free plan
  • Full support and upgrade coverage depend on the license
  • Compatibility is focused on supported applications and games
Our verdict

Bottles is a free, open-source desktop application from Bottles Developers for managing Windows software through Wine-based environments. Its main audience is Linux users who need separate, configurable environments for different Windows…

Read the review →

CrossOver is commercial compatibility software from CodeWeavers for running many Windows applications and games on macOS and Linux. It is aimed at users who want Windows software integrated into a host desktop without installing Windows or…

Read the review →
  1. BottlesWindows Compatibility Layers 9.2Free plan
  2. CrossOverWindows Compatibility Layers 9.014-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bottles — where it wins

    • Separate bottles isolate Windows app environments and configurations.
    • DXVK, VKD3D, dependencies, snapshots, and runners support varied workloads.
    • CLI controls and community installers add flexibility for repeatable management.

    Where it doesn't

    • macOS and Apple silicon support are tied to Bottles Next under development.
    • Wine and Proton compatibility can vary by Windows application.
    • Advanced configuration may require familiarity with runners and dependencies.

  • CrossOver — where it wins

    • Runs Windows applications without Windows or dual boot
    • Recipes, bottles, and compatibility ratings guide application setup
    • Supports Intel and Apple silicon Macs plus supported 64-bit Linux distributions

    Where it doesn't

    • No time-unlimited free plan
    • Full support and upgrade coverage depend on the license
    • Compatibility is focused on supported applications and games

More comparisons

All windows compatibility layers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update