ProtonDB review
A free, report-rich reference for checking Proton compatibility before buying or installing games.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 installing a game. Visitors can browse a Steam catalog covering 32,163 games, review aggregate compatibility ratings, and read reports submitted by users. Those reports can include Proton versions, hardware, Linux distributions, performance observations, and suggested workarounds.
Its strongest value is evidence depth at the individual-game level. A report can connect a result to a specific Proton version, hardware configuration, or distribution, while the aggregate rating provides a quick summary. Steam Deck verified and playable indicators, Chromebook-ready status, and anti-cheat filtering add useful signals when narrowing a search. Because the service is web-based and cloud-deployed, it works as a reference alongside an existing Linux or Steam Deck setup rather than as an installed compatibility utility.
ProtonDB suits buyers who want practical community evidence and troubleshooting ideas before committing to a game. The crowdsourced model means report detail and consistency can vary between titles, so a rating is best read with the underlying reports and workarounds. Its scope is also deliberately narrow: it concentrates on Proton-based Linux gaming and Steam catalog discovery, not compatibility across every operating system or console. Choose it for Linux and Steam Deck research; users seeking a native app or broader platform coverage should look elsewhere.
ProtonDB pros and cons
- 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
ProtonDB fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update