Bottles helps people run Windows applications and games on Linux by managing Windows prefixes, which the project calls bottles. It offers Gaming, Application, and Custom environments, with Wine and Proton runners including Soda, Vaniglia, and CrossOver builds. Installers can apply rules to set up programs automatically, and a dependency manager draws on a public, community-driven repository. Users can manage graphics components such as DXVK, VKD3D, DXVK-NVAPI, and LatencyFleX. Its community App Store offers Windows application installers with compatibility grades from Bronze through Platinum. Other listed tools include backups, versioning, duplication, and importing bottles from other managers. The project recommends Flatpak: it bundles dependencies, is identified as the most supported and tested release, and is the only fully sandboxed package. Bottles supports Linux and macOS and is free software. Connection-dependent features do not work offline, and exposing the system home directory to a runner breaks the Flatpak sandbox and risks personal files.
Who it is for
Bottles suits Linux users who want to run Windows applications or games. Its macOS support is also listed.
What is good
- Gaming, Application, and Custom environments
- Supports Wine and Proton runners
- Community installers include compatibility grades
- Offers backups, versioning, and duplication
- Free software project
What to know first
- Connection-dependent features are blocked offline
- Exposing the home directory breaks Flatpak sandboxing
- First launch downloads components
Verdict
Bottles offers prefix management, runners, installers, and graphics components for running Windows software on Linux. The project recommends Flatpak, while warning that exposing the system home directory to a runner defeats its sandbox.
Compared on game compatibility layers
- Free plan
- Yes