Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Proton

Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components.

Proton

Proton Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Proton is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Proton Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27

Features & Specs

  1. Improved Game Compatibility

    Proton allows Windows games to be played on Linux, significantly increasing the library of games available for Linux users.

  2. 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.

  3. Open Source

    Proton is open-source, allowing the community to contribute to its development and quickly address bugs or issues.

  4. Regular Updates

    Proton is frequently updated to support more games and improve performance and compatibility with existing titles.

  5. 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.

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Videos

Proton Iriz 2017 Review Indonesia | OtoDriver

FIRST DRIVE: 2019 Proton Saga facelift review - from RM32,800

FIRST DRIVE: 2020 Proton X70 CKD review - now with Volvo 7DCT, RM95k to RM123k

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Proton and what they use it for.
  • Steam Machine
    I would be extraordinarily surprised if this were true. Let's be real: This is going to be a tiny volume product. Big for Linux gaming, but tiny in the grand scheme of things. Certainly minuscule compared to Windows gaming, or the PS4/5. It could have been something, but the target market is precisely the market that will look at the price and say "Nah". And as one point of clarification, game makers by and... - Source: Hacker News / 27 days ago
  • WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access
    Proton is a tool Valve made, based on Wine, to easily run Windows games, on Linux [0]. GP meant Proton. [0]: https://github.com/valvesoftware/proton. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Steam on Linux Use Skyrocketed Above 5% in March
    Proton is a modified version of Wine. https://github.com/valvesoftware/proton "Proton is a tool for use with the Steam client which allows games which are exclusive to Windows to run on the Linux operating system. It uses Wine to facilitate this.". - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Steam on Linux Use Skyrocketed Above 5% in March
    That is not true. Proton and steam linux runtime are literally the exact same code provided by the steam client. https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-runtime https://github.com/valvesoftware/proton. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago

Summary of the public mentions of Proton

Public Opinion on Proton: A Game-Changer for Linux Gaming

Valve's Proton, an innovative compatibility layer, has gained significant traction in the gaming community, particularly among Linux users. As a product underpinned by Wine, Proton allows a wide array of Windows games to operate seamlessly on Linux platforms. This development represents a pivotal shift for Linux-based gamers, who historically faced limitations in accessing mainstream titles natively available only on Windows.

Compatibility and Performance

Proton has emerged as a popular choice due to its remarkable compatibility capabilities. Users and developers alike commend Proton for enabling a substantial number of AAA and indie games to run efficiently on Linux. The integration of dedicated patches and libraries grants enhanced performance levels, ensuring that even graphically demanding titles remain accessible to Linux users. Public discourse frequently highlights this capability as one of Protonโ€™s strongest assets, revolutionizing Linux gaming by bridging the gap between Windows-exclusive titles and Linux enthusiasts.

Ease of Use and Integrations

Proton doesnโ€™t just cater to performance; its user-friendly nature is another major contributor to its favorable reputation. With many Linux distributions now providing out-of-the-box support through platforms like Steam, the installation and configuration process has been streamlined significantly. Users find the integration of Proton into the Steam ecosystem particularly beneficial, as it simplifies game management and updates. The software's compatibility with a variety of controllers and peripherals further underscores its robust functionality, making transitioning from Windows to Linux a less daunting process for gamers.

Competitive Landscape

Despite its strong points, Proton is not without its competitors. Alternatives like Wine, CodeWeavers CrossOver, and PlayOnLinux offer similar functionalities, allowing for the execution of Windows applications on Linux. However, Protonโ€™s direct integration with Steam arguably gives it an edge, as it continuously adapts to the latest gaming trends and updates, offering a tailored solution specifically designed for gamers.

Public feedback generally illustrates that while other tools like Wine and PlayOnLinux have been integral in bringing Windows software to Linux, Proton elevates the experience by focusing on seamless game compatibility and performance. This focus on gaming, combined with Valveโ€™s ongoing enhancements, positions Proton as a preferred solution among Linux gaming communities.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its widespread acclaim, Proton still faces challenges, particularly with games that employ complex anti-cheat systems or have unique DRM architectures. While Valve is actively working on these issues, they remain a notable barrier for achieving universal compatibility. However, the gaming community remains optimistic due to Valve's continued commitment to improving Protonโ€™s functionality and expanding its reach.

In conclusion, Proton has notably transformed the landscape of Linux gaming. Through its comprehensive compatibility features and ease of integration, it has earned its space as a major player within the domain. As Valve continues to refine and expand Protonโ€™s capabilities, the future looks promising for Linux users eager to access the rich ecosystem of Windows-based gaming titles.

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Is Proton good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Proton here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.