TDF

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

What TDF is

TDF is a free GNU/Linux tool for installing, packaging and running Windows games outside Steam. It is portable and requires no installation, and is intended for sources such as GOG installers, ISO images and repacks. Games run in isolation through bubblewrap and Linux namespaces, with file and network access blocked by default. TDF includes Wine builds and graphics translation tools for DirectX games: D7VK covers DirectX 3–7, DXVK covers DirectX 8–11, and VKD3D-Proton supports DirectX 12. Users can choose between game-optimized and regular Wine builds, as well as system or custom Wine versions. A TDF instance can be archived for transfer or redistribution using its run.sh archive command. The manual says about 90% of games work without configuration, though some need changes. TDF requires an x86_64 CPU and a GPU that supports Vulkan 1.3 or newer; it recommends a recent Linux kernel and SSD. Games requiring anti-cheat usually will not work online. The project cautions that isolation does not eliminate risks from the kernel, drivers or bubblewrap.

Who it suits

TDF is aimed at advanced GNU/Linux users who want to run Windows games from outside Steam with sandboxing. It may suit users who can meet its CPU and Vulkan requirements and do not rely on anti-cheat games working online.

What it does well

Portable and does not require installation.
Blocks file and network access by default.
Supports DirectX 3 through 12 translation.
Can archive instances for transfer or redistribution.

What to know first

GNU/Linux only; requires x86_64 and Vulkan 1.3.
Online games requiring anti-cheat usually will not work.
Some games need configuration changes.
Project maintenance is described as mostly on hold.

Limits

The free TDF plan is for GNU/Linux on x86_64 hardware with a Vulkan 1.3 or newer GPU. Online games requiring anti-cheat usually will not work; some other games need configuration changes.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
TDF	GNU/Linux only · x86_64 CPU · GPU with Vulkan 1.3 or newer	Free

As github.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the TDF GitHub project page.
Use a GNU/Linux system with an x86_64 CPU and Vulkan 1.3 or newer GPU.
Choose a game source such as a GOG installer, ISO, or repack.
Use TDF's portable runtime to run the game.
Archive an instance with the run.sh archive command if you need to transfer or redistribute it.

Verdict

TDF brings game installation, compatibility components and sandboxing to Windows games on GNU/Linux. Its system requirements and anti-cheat limitation matter, and sandboxing is not a guarantee against kernel, driver or bubblewrap exploits.

Questions

How much does TDF cost?

The TDF plan is free: free.

Which systems does TDF support?

TDF is for GNU/Linux and requires an x86_64 CPU and a GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 or newer.

Does TDF work with Steam?

TDF is intended for games outside Steam, including GOG installers, ISOs, and repacks. It has no Steam integration.

Which DirectX versions does it support?

TDF includes D7VK for DirectX 3–7, DXVK for DirectX 8–11, and VKD3D-Proton for DirectX 12.

Is TDF open source?

TDF code is distributed under GNU GPL v3. A built version may also contain components under other licenses, including proprietary ones.

Will online games work?

Online games that require anti-cheat software usually will not work.

Facts from TDF's own pages

Compatibility: The manual says about 90% of games work out of the box, while some require configuration changes. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit: The manual says online games that require anti-cheat software will usually not work. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Founded: 2021 · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Game sources: TDF is intended for games outside Steam, including GOG installers, ISOs, and repacks. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Graphics support: TDF includes Wine builds, DXVK, VKD3D-Proton, and D7VK for Windows game compatibility across DirectX versions. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Graphics translation: TDF includes DXVK for DirectX 8–11, VKD3D-Proton for DirectX 12, and D7VK for DirectX 3–7. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Intended users: TDF is aimed at advanced users who want more sandboxing than Lutris or Bottles. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
License: TDF code is distributed under GNU GPL v3, while a built version may contain components under multiple licenses, including proprietary ones. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Online game limit: Online games requiring anti-cheat software usually will not work. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Packaging: Users can archive a TDF instance for transfer or redistribution using the run.sh archive command. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Portable: The project describes TDF as a portable version of Proton that requires no installation. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Purpose: TDF helps users install, package, and safely run Windows games on GNU/Linux. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Requirements: TDF requires an x86_64 CPU and a GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 or newer; the project recommends a recent Linux kernel and an SSD. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Sandbox: TDF uses bubblewrap and Linux namespaces to isolate games, with file and network access blocked by default. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Security caveat: The project warns that sandboxed games may still exploit the kernel, drivers, or bubblewrap, and recommends a hardened virtual machine for malware testing. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Steam alternatives: It supports installing games outside Steam, including GOG installers, ISOs, and repacks. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Storage requirement: The manual recommends an SSD and warns against NTFS, FAT, or exFAT for TDF instances. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support and maintenance: The maker's GitHub profile says the developer is working full time and that projects are pretty much on hold. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support status: The maker's GitHub profile says he is working full time and that his projects are mostly on hold. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
System requirements: TDF requires an x86_64 CPU and a GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 or newer; it recommends Linux kernel 6.14 or newer. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Wine versions: It includes a game-optimized Wine build and a more regular Wine build, and can use system or custom Wine versions. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026

Where TDF stands on Freedom251

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