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DXVK VS CodeWeavers CrossOver

Compare DXVK VS CodeWeavers CrossOver and see what are their differences

DXVK logo DXVK

Vulkan-based D3D11 implementation for Linux / Wine

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.
  • DXVK Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-28
  • CodeWeavers CrossOver Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09

DXVK features and specs

  • Performance Improvement
    DXVK can significantly improve performance of Direct3D 9, 10, and 11 games on Linux and Wine by translating Direct3D calls to Vulkan, a more modern and efficient graphics API.
  • Compatibility with Games
    DXVK increases the compatibility of older Windows games on Linux systems, allowing users to run a wider range of games that might not yet support native Vulkan or OpenGL.
  • Active Development
    The project is actively maintained with regular updates and improvements, ensuring better support for newer games and addressing bugs that users might encounter.
  • Community Support
    The DXVK project has a strong community and numerous contributors who actively participate in its development, share tweaks, and help troubleshoot issues.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, DXVK allows users to access, modify, and enhance the code, fostering transparency and collaboration.

Possible disadvantages of DXVK

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up DXVK involves multiple steps, requiring some technical knowledge and understanding of system dependencies, which can be challenging for less experienced users.
  • Limited Direct3D Feature Support
    While DXVK supports many Direct3D features, there are still some limitations and not all Direct3D functionalities are fully implemented yet, which might affect certain games.
  • Potential for Bugs
    As with any compatibility layer, there is the potential for bugs or unexpected behavior in some games, requiring users to troubleshoot or wait for updates.
  • Wine Dependency
    DXVK relies on Wine to function, meaning any limitations or issues present in Wine can directly impact the performance and compatibility of DXVK.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Some users might face hardware compatibility issues depending on their GPU, drivers, and Vulkan support, which can affect performance or prevent usage entirely.

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.

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.

DXVK videos

Dying Light first boss arena/midgame review (Hard) (DXVK 1.7.1)

More videos:

  • Review - Windows & Steam games with Lutris: Install guide (Wine, DXVK, Drivers)
  • Review - Is Linux a better Gaming OS for Ryzen APUs? (Native, Proton, dxvk and lutris)

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DXVK and CodeWeavers CrossOver)
Gaming
28 28%
72% 72
Group Chat & Notifications
Cloud Computing
24 24%
76% 76
Game Managers
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

DXVK Reviews

We have no reviews of DXVK yet.
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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....

Social recommendations and mentions

CodeWeavers CrossOver might be a bit more popular than DXVK. We know about 1 link to it since March 2021 and only 1 link to DXVK. 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.

DXVK mentions (1)

  • Monster animations make them not scary
    I installed Dead Space 2 to test out the new DXVK Vulkan swap https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/wiki. Source: almost 3 years ago

CodeWeavers CrossOver mentions (1)

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

What are some alternatives?

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

DDrawCompat - DirectDraw and Direct3D 1-7 compatibility, performance and visual enhancements for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11 - narzoul/DDrawCompat

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

Proton - Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components

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

D9VK - A d3d9 to vk layer based off DXVK's codebase.

Crossover - Crossover teams are assembled from the top 1% of talent across 130 countries. Challenge yourself to become a part of the cloud team revolution.