Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Lutris VS Proton

Compare Lutris VS Proton and see what are their differences

Lutris logo Lutris

Lutris is an open source gaming platform for GNU/Linux.

Proton logo Proton

Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components
  • Lutris Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-18
  • Proton Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27

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.

Proton features and specs

  • Improved Game Compatibility
    Proton allows Windows games to be played on Linux, significantly increasing the library of games available for Linux users.
  • Integrated with Steam
    Since it is developed by Valve, Proton is seamlessly integrated into the Steam client, making it easy for users to run games without complicated configurations.
  • Open Source
    Proton is open-source, allowing the community to contribute to its development and quickly address bugs or issues.
  • Regular Updates
    Proton is frequently updated to support more games and improve performance and compatibility with existing titles.
  • Performance Optimization
    Proton includes performance optimizations that can sometimes result in Windows games running better on Linux through Proton than they do natively on Windows.

Possible disadvantages of Proton

  • Inconsistent Game Support
    Not all Windows games work perfectly with Proton, and some may have performance issues or not run at all on Linux.
  • Limited Support for Anti-Cheat Systems
    Many anti-cheat systems used in multiplayer games are not compatible with Proton, preventing some games from being playable online.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running some games through Proton can be more resource-intensive than running them natively, possibly requiring more powerful hardware.
  • Dependency on Steam
    Proton is tied to the Steam ecosystem, which may not be ideal for users who prefer other distribution platforms or DRM-free games.
  • Complex Troubleshooting
    When issues arise, troubleshooting can be complex and may require technical knowledge, especially when dealing with compatibility problems.

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.

Analysis of Proton

Overall verdict

  • Proton is generally considered a good choice for individuals and organizations that prioritize privacy and security. Its strong encryption, transparency, and adherence to open-source principles make it a reliable option for those seeking secure communication tools.

Why this product is good

  • Proton (github.com) is favored for its emphasis on privacy and security. It offers services like encrypted email and calendar, ensuring that user data is protected. The platform is built by a team with strong credentials in security, and it utilizes end-to-end encryption to safeguard information. Additionally, Proton's commitment to transparency and open-source development allows the community to audit and verify its security claims.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious individuals
  • Organizations needing secure communication
  • Users who prefer open-source software
  • Those interested in services with strong encryption

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

Proton videos

Proton Iriz 2017 Review Indonesia | OtoDriver

More videos:

  • Review - FIRST DRIVE: 2019 Proton Saga facelift review - from RM32,800
  • Review - FIRST DRIVE: 2020 Proton X70 CKD review - now with Volvo 7DCT, RM95k to RM123k

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Lutris and Proton)
Gaming
87 87%
13% 13
Linux
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Computing
58 58%
42% 42
Game Managers
89 89%
11% 11

User comments

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Reviews

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

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.

Proton Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
Because of a compatibility layer called Proton, Linux users can now play games made for Windows in the first place. The program comes with patches and libraries that can create a wide range of Windows games that run better and work better with them. This app can be used to play most games, and you can even use it on Linux hardware. The software has many features and...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Lutris seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 524 times since March 2021. 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.

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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Proton mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Proton yet. Tracking of Proton recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

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

Bottles - Easily manage wineprefix on Linux

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

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

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.

Playnite - Source code generated using layoutit.com

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