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Head-to-head · Game Compatibility Checkers

Can You RUN It vs ProtonDB

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Can You RUN It #2 in Game Compatibility Checkers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Can You RUN It
ProtonDB #3 in Game Compatibility Checkers 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit ProtonDB

Can You RUN It leads on 0 checks, ProtonDB on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCan You RUN It · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth

Can You RUN It scores higher on our rubric for game compatibility checkers: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

ProtonDB offers linux/proton data; Can You RUN It doesn't.

Can You RUN It is the better fit for PC gamers wanting broad automatic hardware checks. ProtonDB is the better fit for linux and Steam Deck compatibility research.

  • Can You RUN It fits best

    PC gamers wanting broad automatic hardware checks

  • ProtonDB fits best

    Linux and Steam Deck compatibility research

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Side by side

Feature Can You RUN It 8.8/10 Visit ↗ ProtonDB 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #2 in Game Compatibility Checkers #3 in Game Compatibility Checkers
Best for PC gamers wanting broad automatic hardware checks Linux and Steam Deck compatibility research
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows Web
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Can You RUN It 1/2 · ProtonDB 1/2
Hardware scan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Linux/Proton data — ✓ (best)
Specs
Scan method Desktop Not checked yet
Requirements detail Minimum_recommended Not checked yet
Game catalog size Not checked yet 32163 games
Our review
Pros
  • Scans CPU, GPU, RAM, OS and DirectX automatically
  • Checks minimum and recommended requirements per component
  • Covers more than 19,000 PC games with upgrade suggestions
  • 32,163-game catalog with compatibility ratings and search
  • Reports include Proton versions, hardware, distros, and workarounds
  • Steam Deck, Chromebook, and anti-cheat status indicators
Cons
  • Requires a small Windows detection application to scan hardware
  • Linux Proton compatibility checks are not supported
  • Focuses on requirement matching rather than gameplay performance testing
  • Crowdsourced report detail and consistency vary by game
  • Web-only access offers no native desktop or mobile app
  • Focused on Proton-based Linux play rather than other platforms
Our verdict

Can You RUN It is a web-based compatibility checker for PC games, aimed at Windows players who want to see whether their computer meets a title's system requirements. It uses a small Windows detection application to scan hardware and…

Read the review →

ProtonDB is a free web database for evaluating how Windows and native games run on Linux through Valve’s Proton compatibility layer. It is aimed at Linux players, Steam Deck owners, and anyone researching compatibility before purchasing or…

Read the review →
  1. Can You RUN ItGame Compatibility Checkers 8.8Free plan
  2. ProtonDBGame Compatibility Checkers 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Can You RUN It — where it wins

    • Scans CPU, GPU, RAM, OS and DirectX automatically
    • Checks minimum and recommended requirements per component
    • Covers more than 19,000 PC games with upgrade suggestions

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a small Windows detection application to scan hardware
    • Linux Proton compatibility checks are not supported
    • Focuses on requirement matching rather than gameplay performance testing

  • ProtonDB — where it wins

    • 32,163-game catalog with compatibility ratings and search
    • Reports include Proton versions, hardware, distros, and workarounds
    • Steam Deck, Chromebook, and anti-cheat status indicators

    Where it doesn't

    • Crowdsourced report detail and consistency vary by game
    • Web-only access offers no native desktop or mobile app
    • Focused on Proton-based Linux play rather than other platforms

More comparisons

All game compatibility checkers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update