Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ProtonUp-Qt VS Wine

Compare ProtonUp-Qt VS Wine and see what are their differences

ProtonUp-Qt logo ProtonUp-Qt

Install and manage GE-Proton, Luxtorpeda & more for Steam and Wine-GE & more for Lutris with this graphical user interface.

Wine logo Wine

Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.
  • ProtonUp-Qt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-02-08
  • Wine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-07

ProtonUp-Qt features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    ProtonUp-Qt provides a graphical interface that makes managing and updating compatibility tools like Proton and Wine-GE easier for users, especially those who are not comfortable with command-line operations.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The tool supports multiple platforms, including Linux and macOS, which allows users across different operating systems to access and manage their game tools seamlessly.
  • Automated Updates
    ProtonUp-Qt can automatically check for and install the latest versions of Proton and other compatibility tools, ensuring that users always have the most recent and optimized versions.
  • Customization Options
    The application allows users to install specific versions of compatibility tools according to their needs, offering greater control over gameplay experience and compatibility.

Possible disadvantages of ProtonUp-Qt

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it simplifies basic management tasks, power users may find the application lacking in advanced features that could further customize their gaming setup.
  • Dependency on External Tools
    ProtonUp-Qt requires Proton or Wine-GE updates from external sources, which could pose issues if there are upstream problems with those projects.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As with any tool that manages compatibility layers, there might be stability issues or bugs introduced with updates that could temporarily affect game performance or compatibility.
  • Learning Curve for New Users
    Although it provides a GUI, new users without prior experience in managing game compatibility layers might still face a learning curve in understanding and utilizing all the features effectively.

Wine features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Wine allows users to run Windows applications on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS, thereby bridging the gap between different operating systems and expanding software usability.
  • Performance
    Wine can offer performance that is comparable to running the software natively on Windows, avoiding the overhead associated with full virtual machines.
  • Open Source
    Wine is an open-source project, allowing users to contribute to its development, customize it according to their needs, and benefit from a wide community of developers.
  • Cost Savings
    By using Wine, there's no need to purchase a Windows license, which can result in significant cost savings, especially for businesses or users who only need occasional access to Windows applications.

Possible disadvantages of Wine

  • Compatibility Issues
    Not all Windows applications run flawlessly on Wine. Compatibility can vary, and some applications may experience bugs or fail to run at all.
  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up Wine to run specific applications can be complex and may require detailed configuration or additional software components, which can be challenging for less technical users.
  • Resource Usage
    While generally efficient, some applications run on Wine may consume more system resources compared to their native Windows execution due to the emulation layer.
  • Security Risks
    Running Windows applications on Wine can expose Unix-like systems to certain vulnerabilities and risks associated with Windows software, including malware.

Analysis of Wine

Overall verdict

  • Wine is generally considered a good solution for running Windows applications on non-Windows operating systems if the applications are compatible. Many users appreciate its ability to seamlessly integrate with the host operating system, though it can sometimes be challenging to set up specific applications, and not all Windows programs run perfectly. Updates and community support contribute to improving compatibility and user experience over time, making it a viable option for many users.

Why this product is good

  • Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator) is a free and open-source software that allows users to run Windows applications on Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux, macOS, and BSD. It is valuable because it provides a compatibility layer for running a wide range of Windows programs without needing a Windows operating system. This capability is particularly beneficial to those who have transitioned from Windows to Linux or macOS and want to retain access to certain proprietary or legacy Windows software. Wine also offers flexibility and helps reduce the need for dual-booting or virtualization, which can save on resources and improve system performance.

Recommended for

    Wine is recommended for users who need to run Windows applications on Linux, macOS, or BSD systems. It is particularly useful for software developers, gamers who want to play Windows games on non-Windows platforms, and anyone reliant on specific Windows-only software in a predominantly Unix-like environment. Technical users comfortable with troubleshooting and configuring software settings will likely find it most beneficial.

ProtonUp-Qt videos

Install ProtonUp-QT and TRANSFORM your games and the Steam Deck experience.

More videos:

  • Review - ProtonUp-QT 2.7.7 for Steam Deck brings new game support!

Wine videos

The Best Red Wines For Beginners (Series): #3 Merlot

More videos:

  • Review - One of America's Best Sommeliers Grades Boxed Wine | Tasting Notes
  • Review - MY FAVORITE WINES OF ALL TIME || All under $20
  • Demo - How to use windows applications on a mac (wine/winebottler)
  • Demo - Using windows applications on a mac

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ProtonUp-Qt and Wine)
Cloud Computing
15 15%
85% 85
Group Chat & Notifications
Gaming
17 17%
83% 83
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 ProtonUp-Qt and Wine

ProtonUp-Qt Reviews

We have no reviews of ProtonUp-Qt yet.
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Wine Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
Wine is an open-source compatibility layer that tries to make Windows programs, like video games, work on other computers. Also, Wine has a software library called Winelib that programmers can use to build Windows programs before porting them to computers that work like Unix. The best thing about this software is that it works with older versions of Windows (bud-for-bug). It...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Wine seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 56 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.

ProtonUp-Qt mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ProtonUp-Qt yet. Tracking of ProtonUp-Qt recommendations started around Feb 2025.

Wine mentions (56)

  • Ask HN: What are good resources to learn more about WINE?
    I have tried to find resources (videos or websites) to understand the details of WINE (http://winehq.org) and how to get new applications to run with it, but have had no luck. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Linux issues
    002c:fixme:winediag:LdrInitializeThunk Please mention your exact version when filing bug reports on winehq.org. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Need help debugging game launch issue in Lutris.
    002c:fixme:winediag:LdrInitializeThunk Please don't report bugs about it on winehq.org and use https://github.com/lutris/wine/issues instead. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Can I use VitualBox to run 32-bit Steam games on an M1 MacBook?
    "WINE is not an emulator" winehq.org originally developed for Linux (I believe). Source: about 2 years ago
  • I have been called so many slurs with this avatar (PS: Roblox stop blocking wine)
    No, it allows people to use Windows apps on Linux winehq.org you used to be able to play on Linux but roblox goes out of there way to block it and then says they will most likely not make a native Linux client https://devforum.roblox.com/t/proper-support-for-the-linux-platform/56544/112. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ProtonUp-Qt and Wine, you can also consider the following products

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

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.

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

D8VK - A Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D 8/9/10/11 which allows running 3D applications on Linux using Wine.

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

ForceD3D9On12 - This project provides DLL wrappers for the DirectX 1-9 graphics components. Its purpose is to disable the use of the Direct3D 9 user-mode display driver provided by GPU vendors. This forces the runtimes to use D3D9On12 instead.