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Bottles alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Bottles: linux only, and the Flatpak sandbox can block file and drive access until you grant permissions. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Bottles, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Lutris currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Lutris logoLutrisOpen sourceYesLinux4 of 454.5
2Heroic Games Launcher logoHeroic Games LauncherOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS5 of 552.2
3Steam logoSteamFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 550.3
4Protontricks logoProtontricksOpen sourceYesLinux4 of 440.0
5PortProton logoPortProtonOpen sourceYesLinux4 of 440.0
6Faugus Launcher logoFaugus LauncherOpen sourceYesLinux3 of 340.0
  1. Lutris logo

    1. LutrisTop pick

    Best for: Linux gamers with a mixed library of store, retro and hard-to-run Windows games

    Open sourceLinux

    54.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bottles

    Also runs Windows games through Wine, but organised around a game library with community install scripts.

    Pros

    • Community install scripts handle many tricky Windows and retro games
    • One library across Steam, GOG, Epic, Humble and emulators
    • Per-game control over Wine, DXVK and other runners
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Linux only
    • Install scripts vary in quality and can go stale
    • Interface feels dated and has more settings than casual players need
    Visit Lutris Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.360
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Lutris a good Bottles alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Store libraries
    Steam, Epic, GOG, Humble Bundle
    Checked Oct 25, 2026lutris.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Runners
    Emulators, Wine, engine re-implementations
    Checked Oct 25, 2026lutris.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026lutris.net(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Heroic Games Launcher logo

    2. Heroic Games Launcher

    Best for: Linux and Steam Deck players with Epic, GOG or Amazon games who want one native launcher

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS

    52.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bottles

    Simpler if your Windows games come from Epic, GOG or Amazon; it downloads and manages Wine and Proton for you.

    Pros

    • One library for Epic, GOG and Amazon games, even on Linux
    • Downloads and manages Wine and Proton builds for Windows games
    • Console mode works well on the Steam Deck and TVs
    • Free, open source and ad-free

    Cons

    • Relies on unofficial store integrations that can break when stores change
    • Doesn't cover Steam, Ubisoft or EA libraries
    • Some store services, like Epic achievements or online features, may not work
    Visit Heroic Games Launcher Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Heroic Games Launcher a good Bottles alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Stores
    Epic, GOG, Amazon Prime Gaming
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, Windows, macOS, Steam Deck
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Wine manager
    Built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Analytics
    Anonymous, off by default
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Steam logo

    3. Steam

    Best for: PC gamers who want the widest catalogue, frequent sales and their friends in one place

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bottles

    Steam's built-in Proton runs most Windows games in your Steam library with no setup at all.

    Pros

    • Largest PC game catalogue, with frequent deep sales
    • Proton lets many Windows games run on Linux and Steam Deck
    • Workshop makes installing mods for supported games easy
    • Cloud saves, achievements and friends built in

    Cons

    • Most games are tied to the Steam client by DRM
    • The client is heavy and keeps background services running
    • You buy licences, not DRM-free copies like on GOG
    Visit Steam Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Steam a good Bottles alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Mobile app
    iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mods
    Steam Workshop, ~1,000 supported games
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Chat
    Text and voice
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment options
    100+ methods, 35+ currencies
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Languages
    28
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Protontricks logo

    4. Protontricks

    Best for: Linux and Steam Deck players who need to patch a Proton game's Wine prefix

    Open sourceLinux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bottles

    Fixes Steam Proton games directly instead of managing separate Wine bottles.

    Pros

    • Applies Winetricks fixes to one game without touching others
    • Can launch extra Windows tools like mod managers inside a game's prefix
    • Flatpak build makes it easy to install on the Steam Deck

    Cons

    • Only works with Steam games running through Proton
    • Needs Winetricks installed separately for some install methods
    • The GUI is basic and most guides assume the command line
    Visit Protontricks Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Protontricks a good Bottles alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    Python 3.7+, Winetricks, Steam
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Steam Deck install
    Flatpak (recommended)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    GUI
    Yes, needs YAD or Zenity
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. PortProton logo

    5. PortProton

    Best for: Linux gamers who want Windows games and launchers running with minimal Wine setup

    Open sourceLinux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bottles

    Game-focused alternative with Proton GE, MangoHud and launcher auto-install preconfigured.

    Pros

    • One-click install of popular Windows game launchers
    • Bundles MangoHud, vkBasalt and Proton GE
    • Packages for many distributions plus Flathub
    • Community database of game compatibility reports

    Cons

    • Community and forum are mostly in Russian
    • Less known outside Russian-speaking users than Lutris or Bottles
    • Linux only
    Visit PortProton Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PortProton a good Bottles alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026git.linux-gaming.ru(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Proton and Proton GE
    Checked Oct 25, 2026git.linux-gaming.ru(opens source in a new tab)
    Launcher auto-install
    Epic Games, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026git.linux-gaming.ru(opens source in a new tab)
    Flathub
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026git.linux-gaming.ru(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Faugus Launcher logo

    6. Faugus Launcher

    Best for: Linux gamers who want a minimal way to run non-Steam Windows games with Proton

    Open sourceLinux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bottles

    Lighter, game-focused launcher that runs titles through Proton with Steam's game fixes.

    Pros

    • Uses UMU-Launcher so non-Steam games get Proton's game fixes
    • Simple single-list interface with per-game prefixes
    • Free, MIT-licensed and available on Flathub

    Cons

    • No store integration for Epic, GOG or Amazon libraries
    • No community install scripts like Lutris offers
    • Linux only
    Visit Faugus Launcher Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Faugus Launcher a good Bottles alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Runs games with
    UMU-Launcher
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Development
    Active (updated Oct 2026)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Bottles alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Lutris logo

Best Bottles alternative for most people

Lutris

Also runs Windows games through Wine, but organised around a game library with community install scripts.

Heroic Games Launcher logo

Best Bottles alternative for a free option

Heroic Games Launcher

Simpler if your Windows games come from Epic, GOG or Amazon; it downloads and manages Wine and Proton for you.

Protontricks logo

Best Bottles alternative for open source

Protontricks

Fixes Steam Proton games directly instead of managing separate Wine bottles.

Steam logo

Best Bottles alternative for Mac

Steam

Steam's built-in Proton runs most Windows games in your Steam library with no setup at all.

Heroic Games Launcher logo

Best Bottles alternative for Windows

Heroic Games Launcher

Simpler if your Windows games come from Epic, GOG or Amazon; it downloads and manages Wine and Proton for you.

PortProton logo

Best Bottles alternative for Linux

PortProton

Game-focused alternative with Proton GE, MangoHud and launcher auto-install preconfigured.

Steam logo

Best Bottles alternative for iPhone and Android

Steam

Steam's built-in Proton runs most Windows games in your Steam library with no setup at all.

Bottles alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Bottles?

Lutris ranks first right now. Also runs Windows games through Wine, but organised around a game library with community install scripts. Heroic Games Launcher and Steam follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Bottles?

Yes. Lutris (open source), Heroic Games Launcher (open source), Steam (free) and Protontricks (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Bottles?

Yes: Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, Protontricks and PortProton, plus 1 more in the list above.

Which Bottles alternatives work on Linux?

Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, Steam, Protontricks and PortProton run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Bottles?

The complaints we hear most: linux only; the Flatpak sandbox can block file and drive access until you grant permissions; programs with anti-cheat or strict DRM often still won't run.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Bottles, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.