Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CodeWeavers CrossOver VS Lutris

Compare CodeWeavers CrossOver VS Lutris and see what are their differences

CodeWeavers CrossOver logo CodeWeavers CrossOver

Don't buy a Windows license, don't reboot and don't use a Virtual Machine. Try a free trial of CrossOver to run your Windows software on Mac, Linux and Chrome OS.

Lutris logo Lutris

Lutris is an open source gaming platform for GNU/Linux.
  • CodeWeavers CrossOver Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09
  • Lutris Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-18

CodeWeavers CrossOver features and specs

  • Compatibility
    CrossOver enables users to run many Windows applications on macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS without requiring a Windows license or virtual machine.
  • Performance
    Applications generally run faster and consume fewer resources as compared to running them in a virtual machine because CrossOver eliminates the overhead associated with a full Windows OS.
  • Ease of Use
    The interface is user-friendly, allowing even non-technical users to install and run Windows applications with relative ease.
  • Cost
    CrossOver is generally less expensive than purchasing a Windows license and a virtual machine software, offering a cost-effective solution for running Windows applications.
  • Official Support
    CrossOver provides official technical support and frequent updates, which can be an advantage over community-supported tools like Wine.
  • Integration
    Windows applications run more seamlessly within your native operating system environment, making them appear like native applications.

Possible disadvantages of CodeWeavers CrossOver

  • Limited Compatibility
    While CrossOver supports many Windows applications, it does not support all of them. Some applications may not run perfectly or may have performance issues.
  • Subscription Model
    CrossOver operates on a subscription model, which might be a con for users looking for a one-time purchase option.
  • Dependency on Wine
    CrossOver is based on Wine, an open-source project, meaning your experience is partially dependent on the progress and limitations of the Wine project.
  • Performance Overhead
    Although less resource-intensive than virtual machines, there's still some performance overhead associated with translating Windows API calls to the host OS.
  • Initial Setup
    While easier than some alternatives, initial setup and configuration can still be complex for users unfamiliar with compatibility layers or Windows applications.
  • Licensing Restrictions
    Certain commercial or enterprise licenses may have restrictions or limitations that can complicate using CrossOver in a business environment.

Lutris features and specs

  • Open Source
    Lutris is an open-source platform, which means it is free to use and its source code is publicly available. This allows for community contributions and greater transparency.
  • Centralized Game Management
    Lutris provides a centralized platform for managing games from various sources including Steam, GOG, and Uplay, making it easy to organize and access all your games from a single interface.
  • Wide Range of Supported Games
    Lutris supports a wide variety of games, including native Linux games, Windows games (via Wine), emulators, and even web games, offering a versatile gaming experience.
  • Automated Installations
    Lutris offers scripts that automate the installation process for many games, saving time and reducing the complexity involved in setting up games, particularly those that require Wine.
  • Community-driven
    The platform benefits from a strong community that shares scripts, tips, and support, enhancing the overall user experience and providing solutions to common issues.

Possible disadvantages of Lutris

  • Complex Setup
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex and may require a fair amount of technical knowledge, particularly when dealing with Wine and non-native games.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running Windows games via Wine can incur a performance overhead compared to running them natively on Windows, potentially affecting game performance.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Not all games run smoothly on Lutris, and some may have compatibility issues, requiring additional tweaks and configurations to function properly.
  • Limited Support
    While there is a community to provide support, there is no dedicated professional support team, which can be a drawback compared to commercial game management platforms.
  • Learning Curve
    For users unfamiliar with Linux or Wine, there can be a steep learning curve, making it less accessible to less tech-savvy gamers.

Analysis of CodeWeavers CrossOver

Overall verdict

  • Overall, CodeWeavers CrossOver is a good solution for those who need Windows applications on other operating systems. While it may not support every Windows application, its ease of use and solid performance make it a worthwhile option for many users.

Why this product is good

  • CodeWeavers CrossOver is well-regarded for allowing users to run Windows applications on macOS and Linux systems without the need to install a separate Windows OS. It is user-friendly, supports a wide range of applications, and offers good performance. The continuous development and dedicated support from CodeWeavers also add value, making it a reliable choice for many users.

Recommended for

  • Mac users looking to run essential Windows applications without dual booting.
  • Linux users who need access to specific Windows software for work or personal use.
  • Individuals who prefer a straightforward installation process without the need for a full Windows license.
  • Users seeking an affordable alternative to virtual machines or dual boot setups for accessing Windows applications.

Analysis of Lutris

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Lutris is generally considered a good platform for managing and playing games, particularly on Linux.

Why this product is good

  • Lutris is a popular open-source gaming platform that helps users manage and play games, especially on Linux systems. It offers a unified interface for launching games from various sources, including Steam, GOG, and emulated games. The application supports a wide range of emulators and compatibility layers, making it easier for users to run Windows games on Linux through Wine. Its supportive community and continuous updates contribute to its effectiveness and reliability in providing a seamless gaming experience on Linux.

Recommended for

  • Linux gamers looking for a versatile game management tool.
  • Users who want to run games from multiple sources and emulators in one interface.
  • Gamers interested in playing Windows-only titles on Linux using Wine.
  • Individuals who value open-source software and community-driven projects.

CodeWeavers CrossOver videos

Crisis on Infinite Earths: Crossover Review

More videos:

  • Review - Top 10 New Crossover Cars with Updated Looks, Prices and Specifications in 2019
  • Review - 2019 Compact Crossover Challenge | MotorWeek Comparison Test

Lutris videos

Here are six reasons I LOVE Lutris!

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use Lutris for Gaming on Linux
  • Review - Lutris - An Amazing Open Source Gaming Platform For Linux

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CodeWeavers CrossOver and Lutris)
Group Chat & Notifications
Gaming
10 10%
90% 90
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0
Linux
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CodeWeavers CrossOver and Lutris

CodeWeavers CrossOver Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
CrossOver is a compatibility layer for Windows that lets the program run natively on Linux, macOS, and Chrome OS, among others. This free and open-source program has many useful features and functions that make it easy to link your Windows programs together. The business edition is excellent for large organizations because it has better support and more powerful features....

Lutris Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
Lutris is a free, open-source game manager that only works on Linux. You can install and run games without any complicated setup. Expert gamers and programmers made the solution; it has almost everything you could want to improve your gaming.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Lutris seems to be a lot more popular than CodeWeavers CrossOver. While we know about 524 links to Lutris, we've tracked only 1 mention of CodeWeavers CrossOver. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CodeWeavers CrossOver mentions (1)

  • Anyone try V Rising on Parallels or Crossover?
    Here you go https://codeweavers.com/crossover. Source: about 3 years ago

Lutris mentions (524)

  • Amazon Prime Video Will Start Showing Ads on January 29
    You can get Lutris: It's an open source launcher that you login into with GOG account and it will download the games and wrap them with Wine, similar to Steam. https://lutris.net/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Making the switch - what are the gaps?
    For "normal" games you could look yourself using ProtonDB regarding every game released on Steam and AreWeAntiCheatYet for most multiplayer games. If a game isn't available on Steam you have three possibilities. First if it's available on GOG, Epic Games or Amazon Gaming, you could use the Heroic Games Launcher. Second you could try to run the launchers through Steam itself using once again Proton. Third you... Source: over 1 year ago
  • WoW Season of Discovery freezes on every honorable kill!
    Can I suggest you head over to the lutris.net site and follow the link the lutris discord - with what you are describing, it would take me 20 minutes to get the base battle.net working so you can see what is causing your issue or 3 days back and forwards here. As a hint, your wine version has known issues, and unless you manually installed the lutris 0.5.14 from the git page in Mint, or are running flatpak, you... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Windows 11 is last in gaming performance tests against 3 Linux gaming distros
    As a data point, you can run a fair number of Windows games under Proton by using Lutris instead of Steam: * https://lutris.net * https://github.com/lutris/lutris It's an OSS game launcher that takes the place of Steam, and you can set things up to run locally so you don't even need an account on their system (lutris.net). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Been thinking of switching to linux but I am a noob
    My advice would be to go to Protondb first and look at your Steam games and how it would fit. They are graded at Gold/Platinum/Silver in terms of compatibility. Alternatively you can try Lutris if your game is not in Steam. I think there are a few others but I can't recall any. Source: over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing CodeWeavers CrossOver and Lutris, you can also consider the following products

Wine - Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.

Bottles - Easily manage wineprefix on Linux

WineBottler - WineBottler is an App to manage and wrap your Windows apps into convenient OS X apps.

RetroArch - RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.

PlayOnLinux - PlayOnLinux will allow you to play your favorite games on Linux easily

Playnite - Source code generated using layoutit.com